Muslim-Americans have been at the center stage of U.S. political and socio-economic debates in recent years. Probably the reason being the fastest-growing demographics in the U.S., with around 1.1% of the U.S. population belongs to the Muslim faith as suggested by a 2018 Pew survey. Muslim-Americans are also one of the most racially diverse groups in the U.S., comprising African-Americans, Asians, Arabs, and Caucasians. Nevertheless, there is a lack of data-driven research about Muslim giving despite their standing.

The data and findings from the Muslim American Giving 2021 Study are presented in this study. Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI) at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, IUPUI, in collaboration with the Islamic Relief USA administered this through SSRS. The study surveyed the sentiments of 2,005 participants regarding donor behavior, volunteer work, faith customs, attitudes and practices on donation, uncertainty intolerance amidst COVID-19, financial welfare, and sensitivities involved in the donor’s decisionmaking process. SSRS surveyed from March 17 through April 7, 2021.

The breakup of the total 2,005 respondents surveyed was a representative sample of 1,002 adult respondents from the general population and a representative sample of 1,003 Muslim respondents. The survey revealed:

• Muslim philanthropy for both faith-based causes and non-faith-based causes is higher than non-Muslims. Muslims on average gave USD 1,810 to faith-base causes compared to USD 1,138 in the general population. Similarly, an average Muslim gave USD 1,400 to non-faith-based causes compared to USD 767 in the general population. The study also shared important new information of where Muslim Americans donate.
• Domestic relief equates to 11.13% of Muslim’s faith-based and 16.87% of their non-faith giving in the U.S.
• Civil rights protections for the members of their community is something in which Muslims spend quite generously. On average, Muslims pay nearly 8.47% of their contributions toward faith-based civil rights, compared to 5.31% of the general public. Muslims also are more likely than the general public to give to non-faith-based civil rights causes (11.87% Muslims versus 5.45% general population).
• Muslims contribute 27.45% of their faith-based charity to houses of worship. In comparison, the nonMuslim population offers on average 51.28% of their faith-based charity towards the house of worship.
• Overseas relief and humanitarian causes comprise of 12.81% for faith-based overseas relief and 18.84% for non-faith based overseas relief.
• The Muslim American Giving 2021 Study also reveals interesting observations about Muslim philanthropy by race, gender, and age.
• Males donate more than females towards faith-based causes (USD 2,572 vs. USD 698 for faith-based reasons and USD 1,984 vs. USD 523 for non-faith-causes).
• Those falling in between the range 40-49 years of age give the highest average charitable giving. Generally, overall, the least amount of giving comes from Muslims above 50.

read the report