Visions for the Future: How Zakat Foundation Institute Trains Humanitarian Leaders

Currently, an estimated 847 million people around the globe live in extreme poverty, and another 120 million have been displaced through economic, environmental and political tragedies. The need for impactful, lasting humanitarian relief has never been more critical, and without strategic leadership, aid cannot be delivered effectively.

To address this, Zakat Foundation Institute (ZFI) is bridging the gap between action and education, raising new generations of humanitarian leaders with cutting-edge training and real world experience. Read on to learn more about ZFI’s balanced approach and exciting offerings that continue to produce scores of empathetic, experienced graduates.

Zakat Foundation Institute

Founded as an independent professional graduate program in 2020 by Zakat Foundation of America, ZFI made its mark early by providing hands-on, immediately applicable training for those working in the Muslim charitable sector. 

Since then, ZFI has continued to offer multiple advanced degrees in humanitarian and development studies, and is accredited by the Indiana Board for Proprietary Education, ensuring academic excellence across all offerings. 

ZFI’s mission is to continually build a “diverse, multi-generational alumni body that develops sustainable, evolving, socially responsive projects” that make a lasting impact on humanitarian projects both in the USA and abroad.

Graduate Fellowships and Programs

Zakat Foundation Institute provides several options for post-graduate students to study humanitarian topics in-depth including graduate fellowships, training programs and advanced degrees and certificates. ZFI’s coursework is predominantly conducted virtually, with limited in-person seminar requirements and internships available.

Graduate fellowships

ZFI’s graduate fellowships are awarded annually, and are fully funded by Zakat Foundation of America to certain distinguished professionals who have proven their commitment to Muslim charitable initiatives. ZFI’s first batch of graduating fellows in 2020 included students from both the U.S.A. and abroad. 

Training programs

ZFI’s immersive training programs combine top-tier instruction with interactive learning sessions, fully online to ensure access that isn’t limited by location.These programs focus on core education sector and professional development topics such as pedagogy, curriculum design, instructional tech and leadership.

Graduate degrees

Finally, ZFI currently offers one certificate and two post-graduate degree programs:

• Graduate Certificate In Humanitarian Leadership​

• Master of Arts in Humanitarian Leadership

• Doctorate in Humanitarian Leadership​

Bringing true, lasting change is not an easy undertaking, and we’re so thankful for Zakat Foundation Institute’s continued commitment to providing solution-oriented educational experiences that empower charitable work leaders with specialized knowledge and integrate them into the services of global humanitarianism and philanthropy. Click to learn more about ZFI and its initiatives on their website!