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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE ZAKAT FOUNDATION OF AMERICA ON ITS 25th ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, the Zakat Foundation of America (ZFA) was founded in 2001 in Bridgeview, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, the organization is currently celebrating its 25th Anniversary - "A Quarter-Century of Service, A Legacy of American Compassion" - coinciding with the U.S. 250th semi quincentennial celebrations; and
WHEREAS, the mission statement for the ZFA is “to alleviate the immediate needs of poor communities and establish programs for sustainable development”; and
WHEREAS, Executive Director Halil Demir often notes: "We chose 'America' as our middle name because we are an expression of American generosity." The foundation intentionally bridges the Islamic pillar of zakat (charitable almsgiving) with the foundational American spirit of pluralism and community service; and
WHEREAS, the ZFA operates with a highly praised financial efficiency blueprint. For instance, 93¢ of every dollar donated goes directly into programming, with only 3¢ for administration and 4¢ for fundraising; and
WHEREAS, the ZFA was founded and is currently led by Executive Director Halil Demir, a Turkish-born sociologist and immigrant who came to the U.S. in 1997. After experiencing poverty firsthand during his youth, he established ZFA to turn faith-focused giving into an efficient, global humanitarian powerhouse; and
WHEREAS, the ZFA is active in 50 countries across 5 continents; and
WHEREAS, the ZFA has historically been among the first responders to era-defining crises, including Hurricane Katrina (2005), the Haiti Earthquake (2010), the Syrian Refugee Crisis (2011-present), Hurricane Harvey (2017), the 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, and ongoing massive critical airdrops and food assistance in Gaza. The ZFA is also currently providing emergency relief to Venezuela, Gaza, Sudan and Lebanon; and
WHEREAS, the ZFA has sponsored over 634,000 orphans across 15 countries, providing them with stable housing, food security, comprehensive healthcare, and long-term educational mentorship; and
WHEREAS, the ZFA has established signature health facilities including the Humanity Hospital and Medical Center in Lahore, Pakistan, to address critical regional health deficits; and
WHEREAS, the ZFA distributes millions of pounds of fresh produce, meat, and dairy across underserved U.S. neighborhoods, including major initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic and annual holiday distributions; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, the ZFA founded a dedicated cultural center - the Rohingya Culture Center - in Chicago to directly assist, educate, and settle Rohingya refugees arriving in the United States; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, the ZFA partnered directly with the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago to repurpose local infrastructure into operational, compassionate shelters for incoming migrants; and
WHEREAS, the ZFA has been a national leader in its work, including winning the Platinum Hermes Creative Award for its groundbreaking #ChooseWithLove orphan sponsorship rebranding, and consistently holds a 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator, the highest distinction available for nonprofit financial transparency and accountability; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the work and efforts of the leadership, staff, and volunteers of the Zakat Foundation of America should be recognized and honored; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that over the last 25 years, the Zakat Foundation of America has made an immeasurable positive impact on the people they serve throughout the world, United States, and Cook County; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of Cook County, do hereby honor the Zakat Foundation of America on its 25th Anniversary in July of 2026.
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