The Council on American-Islamic Relations California (CAIR-CA) serves as the state's largest civil rights and advocacy organization for Muslims. The organization focuses on protecting the constitutional rights of American Muslims through a multi-pronged approach involving legal services, media relations, and policy advocacy. With $17,442,755 in total revenue reported in 2023, CAIR-CA operates at a significant scale to address Islamophobia and civil rights violations across California. The charity maintains a high program expense ratio of 83.7%, indicating that nearly all funding is directed toward its core mission of advocacy and legal defense. This financial efficiency is further evidenced by its fundraising efficiency of $0.07 per $1 raised, which is significantly lower than the industry standard. Beyond legal work, the organization aims to enhance the understanding of Islam by engaging with public officials and media partners to promote accurate representation. As a zakat-eligible institution, CAIR-CA provides a vital avenue for Muslim donors to fulfill religious obligations through social justice work. The organization has demonstrated remarkable growth, achieving a 3-year revenue CAGR of 49.7%, reflecting increasing community trust and a widening scope of operations. While it operates with 14.5 months of working capital, providing a strong safety net, the organization faces scrutiny regarding executive compensation levels relative to its total revenue.
Impact assesses organizational indicators associated with effective programs. Alignment reflects fit with Muslim donor priorities.
Best for donors who prioritize civil rights advocacy and want to fulfill zakat obligations through an established legal defense infrastructure in California.
“CAIR-SFBA explicitly states on its website and donation pages, "Zakat-Eligible Giving. Your zakat and sadaqah ensure that our community has somewhere to turn when harm happens close to home." It also provides an option for donors to designate their contribution as Zakat, stating, "My Donation is Intended as Zakat." Furthermore, CAIR-SFBA promotes, "This Ramadan, Give Your Zakat For Justice. By giving your Zakat to CAIR, you ensure that more Muslims facing oppression get the representation they deserve." The organization is also listed as "Zakat eligible" on the Feeling Blessed platform. (Source: https://ca.cair.com/sfba/give-online/)”