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Community Corner

ACCESS Philanthropy Program Seeks Grant Proposals

The Center for Arab American Philanthropy will give out $50,000 in grants this year.

The Center for Arab American Philanthropy, a program of the Dearborn nonprofit ACCESS, is seeking proposals for its 2013 grantmaking. The group plans to award some $50,000 to Arab American organizations working for social justice and other issues, the nonprofit announced today.

Download the 2013 Request for Proposals at www.centeraap.org.

CAAP is offering grants of up to $7,000 to Arab American community organizations for general operating support.

“It’s often more difficult to find funding for general operating support than for programs,” said Maha Freij, CAAP founder. “CAAP is aware of the current financial realities facing Arab American community organizations and the need for ongoing operational support to build strong and sustainable organizations,” she said.

CAAP will put priority this year on organizations that address social justice issues, including the fair treatment and portrayal of Arab Americans through programs in advocacy, arts and culture, human rights, community organizing, civic engagement, economic development, education reform and access, healthcare, housing and shelter and other areas.

Now in its fifth year of community grantmaking, CAAP has awarded more than $232,000 to strengthen the capacity of Arab American organizations to better serve their communities.

“Thanks to a grant from CAAP in 2011-2012, we have seen a 12 percent increase in the number of students enrolled in our Arabic language classes, and we’ve been able to develop a number of new enrichment programs” said Angela Khoury, board member of the Alif Institute in Atlanta. “The grant from CAAP has contributed directly to our growth, and we are very appreciative of its support.”

Funds for this year’s grantmaking are made available through the contributions of CAAP’s Professional Advisory Board, as well as other individuals.

CAAP is the only national Arab American philanthropic support organization in the United States. It builds on the tradition of Arab American giving by working with donors to invest their charitable dollars in organizations and programs making the greatest impact.

ACCESS, a nonprofit based in Dearborn, Mich., established CAAP in 2005 to strengthen the impact of Arab American philanthropy and leverage individual giving locally and nationally.

This article was provided by ACCESS.

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