FAQ's. |
1. What is the purpose of pooling our zakat funds?
BACG seeks to amplify the footprint, scope and impact of our giving by pooling our funds into collective zakat gifts; a pooled zakat donation of $50,000 to an organization will go much further than an individual zakat donation of $5,000.
2. What is project-based giving?
BACG’s collective zakat funds are not donated into an organization’s general zakat fund, but rather used to support zakat-eligible projects within an organization. This gives BACG a direct hand in steering the growth and development of programs that address specific needs within our community. We have found that this is the most effective way for BACG to target niche projects that we are passionate about.
3. Do you accept solicitations of funds from organizations that qualify?
Yes. As of the 2020 giving year, BACG offers organizations an opportunity to pitch their zakat-eligible projects in need of funding to our group directly. The form can be found here.
4. Why does BACG only pool zakat instead of sadaqa?
Since Muslim households are obligated to give zakat annually, pooling a portion of our zakat harnesses the existing giving momentum surrounding this pillar of our religion. It is possible that we may seek to pool our Sadaqa for a separate vertical of giving in the future. However, our immediate priority is to continue to focus on amplifying the impact of our zakat by working together to give greater dollar amounts to specific projects.
5. Is BACG registered as a non-profit or foundation?
No. BACG is not registered as a non-profit or foundation.
6. Is there a cap on the number of households that can join BACG?
No. There is no cap on the number of voting or non-voting members of BACG. However, there is a cap on the number of households that can sit on BACG's Steering Committee (four households). The Steering Committee facilitates BACG's annual giving and informs short and long-term goals. For the 2024 giving year, there are three households serving on the Steering Committee. Each household joined the Steering Committee after at least one year of membership with BACG. Our MOU details the formal BACG governance structure as well as the roles and responsibilities of each membership tier.
7. Why are there three tiers of membership?
In the 2020 giving year, BACG decided to respond to the different levels of preferred engagement that our members expressed by creating three tiers of membership. The Steering Committee provides a platform for those members that sought a greater level of engagement and interpretive control of BACG's growth and impact. Voting Members are the second tier of membership and the largest group. Voting Members, are members that want to receive a minimum number of emails but still want to play a role in interfacing with finalist organizations and deciding where BACG’s zakat will go. Non-voting Members are the third tier of membership. Non-voting membership is for those households who appreciate the collective impact that we have and simply want to participate by making their monetary contribution.
8. Who determines the zakat-eligibility of the projects funded?
As of the 2023 giving cycle, when the zakat-eligibility of a project is in question, we rely upon the opinion of Imam Tahir Anwar of the San Francisco Bay Area. During the 2018 and 2019 giving cycles we also relied on Imam Tahir Anwar, for the giving cycles from 2020-2022 we relied on the American Muslim Community Foundation as well as Imam Tahir Anwar for certification of zakat-eligibility. .
9. Can a household secure more than one vote in BACG by giving a greater multiple of the required $5,000 annual zakat donation?
No. there is only one vote allocated per household for those households serving in either the Steering Committee or voting member groups. The non-voting members do not get a vote but are also obligated to donate $5,000 of their zakat annually to the projects selected by the giving group. Any household can, of course, donate more than the required $5,000 of zakat.
10. Is all voting anonymous?
Yes. All voting is anonymous.
11. Does BACG limit the geographic footprint of its giving?
Although there is no formal practice in place, all of BACG’s past gifts have gone to projects based in California, with the vast majority being projects based in the greater Bay Area. BACG members have demonstrated a palpable desire to benefit those in need who are closest to us geographically. We anticipate that this preference will continue to resonate and manifest as we grow and continue our work.
12. Why has the collective partnered with LaunchGood?
As of the 2023 giving year, BACG’s Steering Committee decided to partner with LaunchGood to streamline the administration of BACG’s giving.
BACG seeks to amplify the footprint, scope and impact of our giving by pooling our funds into collective zakat gifts; a pooled zakat donation of $50,000 to an organization will go much further than an individual zakat donation of $5,000.
2. What is project-based giving?
BACG’s collective zakat funds are not donated into an organization’s general zakat fund, but rather used to support zakat-eligible projects within an organization. This gives BACG a direct hand in steering the growth and development of programs that address specific needs within our community. We have found that this is the most effective way for BACG to target niche projects that we are passionate about.
3. Do you accept solicitations of funds from organizations that qualify?
Yes. As of the 2020 giving year, BACG offers organizations an opportunity to pitch their zakat-eligible projects in need of funding to our group directly. The form can be found here.
4. Why does BACG only pool zakat instead of sadaqa?
Since Muslim households are obligated to give zakat annually, pooling a portion of our zakat harnesses the existing giving momentum surrounding this pillar of our religion. It is possible that we may seek to pool our Sadaqa for a separate vertical of giving in the future. However, our immediate priority is to continue to focus on amplifying the impact of our zakat by working together to give greater dollar amounts to specific projects.
5. Is BACG registered as a non-profit or foundation?
No. BACG is not registered as a non-profit or foundation.
6. Is there a cap on the number of households that can join BACG?
No. There is no cap on the number of voting or non-voting members of BACG. However, there is a cap on the number of households that can sit on BACG's Steering Committee (four households). The Steering Committee facilitates BACG's annual giving and informs short and long-term goals. For the 2024 giving year, there are three households serving on the Steering Committee. Each household joined the Steering Committee after at least one year of membership with BACG. Our MOU details the formal BACG governance structure as well as the roles and responsibilities of each membership tier.
7. Why are there three tiers of membership?
In the 2020 giving year, BACG decided to respond to the different levels of preferred engagement that our members expressed by creating three tiers of membership. The Steering Committee provides a platform for those members that sought a greater level of engagement and interpretive control of BACG's growth and impact. Voting Members are the second tier of membership and the largest group. Voting Members, are members that want to receive a minimum number of emails but still want to play a role in interfacing with finalist organizations and deciding where BACG’s zakat will go. Non-voting Members are the third tier of membership. Non-voting membership is for those households who appreciate the collective impact that we have and simply want to participate by making their monetary contribution.
8. Who determines the zakat-eligibility of the projects funded?
As of the 2023 giving cycle, when the zakat-eligibility of a project is in question, we rely upon the opinion of Imam Tahir Anwar of the San Francisco Bay Area. During the 2018 and 2019 giving cycles we also relied on Imam Tahir Anwar, for the giving cycles from 2020-2022 we relied on the American Muslim Community Foundation as well as Imam Tahir Anwar for certification of zakat-eligibility. .
9. Can a household secure more than one vote in BACG by giving a greater multiple of the required $5,000 annual zakat donation?
No. there is only one vote allocated per household for those households serving in either the Steering Committee or voting member groups. The non-voting members do not get a vote but are also obligated to donate $5,000 of their zakat annually to the projects selected by the giving group. Any household can, of course, donate more than the required $5,000 of zakat.
10. Is all voting anonymous?
Yes. All voting is anonymous.
11. Does BACG limit the geographic footprint of its giving?
Although there is no formal practice in place, all of BACG’s past gifts have gone to projects based in California, with the vast majority being projects based in the greater Bay Area. BACG members have demonstrated a palpable desire to benefit those in need who are closest to us geographically. We anticipate that this preference will continue to resonate and manifest as we grow and continue our work.
12. Why has the collective partnered with LaunchGood?
As of the 2023 giving year, BACG’s Steering Committee decided to partner with LaunchGood to streamline the administration of BACG’s giving.