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Islamic Relief-USA

CharityWatch report issued
November 2023

 
NOT
RATABLE
CharityWatch Grade
 

Contact Information

Islamic Relief-USA
3655 Wheeler Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304

Other Names

IRUSA
Islamic Relief

Tax Status

501(c)3

Website

www.irusa.org

Stated Mission

To provide relief and development in a dignified manner regardless of gender, race, or religion; and works to empower individuals in their communities and give them a voice in the world.

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Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 12/31/2021

*Why Not Ratable?

CharityWatch is unable to rate this organization due to how it is structured. This does not imply a negative or positive evaluation.

Some charities engage in significant financial transactions with a related organization outside of the U.S. for which sufficient audited financial information is either not available, is not presented in combined form, and/or is not based on U.S. reporting standards. CharityWatch's methodology is not designed to measure how efficiently one entity of a charity grants funds to its affiliates, partners, or related organization(s) outside of the U.S. In many of these cases, the charity is essentially functioning as a U.S. based fundraising arm. Therefore, when applicable, CharityWatch has calculated a Cost to Raise $100 fundraising ratio for such charities.

Please see the Analysts' Notes section for a more detailed explanation and for this organization's Cost to Raise $100, if applicable.


Governance & Transparency

CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
Islamic Relief-USA
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Islamic Relief-USA
meets transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy Opt-In Policy  

  Name Title Compensation
1 Anwar Ahmad Khan President $242,420
2 Sharif Aly CEO $242,388
3 Sherif Ahmed COO $227,049
1
Name: Anwar Ahmad Khan
Title: President
Compensation: $242,420
2
Name: Sharif Aly
Title: CEO
Compensation: $242,388
3
Name: Sherif Ahmed
Title: COO
Compensation: $227,049

CharityWatch Analysts perform an in-depth analysis of charities' audited financial statements and IRS tax filings, and often review other documents such as state filings, annual reports, and fundraising contracts during their evaluations. Below are select notes that CharityWatch believes may be of interest to donors.

CharityWatch is unable to provide a complete rating of Islamic Relief USA (IR-USA) due to how the organization is structured. Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) operates through a global network of partners. IRW publishes financial statements expressed in pounds and based on United Kingdom generally accepted accounting principles. The financial activities of its U.S. partner, IR-USA, are excluded from IRW's financial statements on the basis that it is a separate, independent legal entity.

Islamic Relief USA publishes its own, separate financial statements. However, IR-USA has historically functioned as a fundraising arm for its international partner, with a significant portion of its annual program spending taking the form of grants to this partner, IRW. For this reason, CharityWatch is able to provide a Cost to Raise $100 ratio for IR-USA:

For the year-ended 12/31/2021, Islamic Relief USA spent a reasonable $14 to raise each $100 in public support.

CharityWatch, however, is unable to provide a Program % for Islamic Relief USA. Based on our analysis of the IR-USA 2022 tax filing and consolidated audited financial statements, as well as the 2021 audited financial statements of Islamic Relief Worldwide, CharityWatch has determined that the majority of IR-USA's cash budget for Program Services consists of grants to its partner organization, IRW. Note 1 of the IR-USA consolidated audit of December 31, 2021 states: "The majority of Islamic Relief USA's programs are administered through grants with Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW), which is based in the United Kingdom."

CharityWatch's methodology is not designed to measure how efficiently one entity of a charity grants funds to one of its partner organizations. For this reason, we do not believe it is fair to publish a Program % for Islamic Relief USA alongside those of other charities that conduct their own programs and/or primarily make grants to other, independent charities.

According to the Islamic Relief USA and Affiliates (IRUSA) consolidated audit of December 31, 2021 (Note 10, Commitments and Contingencies):

"Grant commitments: IRUSA has made conditional promises (conditional grants) to various partners of $125,052,694 as of December 31, 2021. Future payments are contingent upon the implementing partners carrying out certain activities (meeting donor-imposed barriers) stipulated by the grant or contract..."

According to the Islamic Relief USA and Affiliates (IRUSA) consolidated audit of December 31, 2021 (Note 9, Paycheck Protection Program Loan):

"In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law to provide emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families and businesses affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. Under the CARES Act, certain small businesses and organizations are eligible to receive loan funds under Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act. Loans made under this section of the CARES Act, known as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), are forgivable to the extent certain requirements are met. The loan program is administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA).

IRUSA and WAQF made an analysis of the adverse economic effect the pandemic would likely have on their operations and determined that they were eligible to apply for a PPP loan, submitted the required application and supporting documentation, and received PPP loan funds in the amount of $2,200,319 and $40,037 respectively, in early April 2020. Funds were forgiven in April 2021. Funds were expended consistent with the program requirements and in June 2021, IRUSA and WAQF received notification from the SBA that the loans had been forgiven in full and the lender repaid. IRUSA and WAQF recognized the revenue of $2,200,319 and $40,037 respectively in the year ended December 31, 2021. 

According to the Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) 2022 tax filing, IRUSA reports re: Compensation, Supplemental Information (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part III):

Regarding nonfixed payments to officers, directors, trustees, key employees and highest compensated employees (Schedule J, Part I, Line 7):

"Bonuses are paid as a percentage of salary based on an annual performance evaluation subject to budget availability and board approval."


IRUSA reports "Bonus & incentive compensation" paid to nine individuals in 2022. The individual bonus amounts ranged from $22,708 to $16,184, and the associated reported total compensation ranged from $242,420 to $195,515 (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part II).


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