• UPDATE (April 2, 9 PM): Financial assistance checks have now been sent out to 660 households, helping 2,100 individuals altogether. Over $426,000 has already been distributed to these families.  Assistance checks have ranged between $250 and $1000 based on a needs based point system. 
• Due to the high number of applications for COVID19 Financial Hardship Grants, we are currently not accepting new applications. Once we raise enough funds to process pending requests for aid, we will re-open the application. Pleas check back in a few days.
  
• UPDATE (March 16, 10 PM): Within 24 hours, this campaign has raised over $100,000; five times the original $20,000 goal. We will keep raising the goal as more funds are raised. 

The Crisis

COVID-19 continues to spread globally and across the United States. As of March 27, there were over 500,000 confirmed cases worldwide and over 80,000 in the USA (more than any other country). 

Experts are recommending that people avoid large crowds, maintain a reasonable supply of shelf-stable foods in case they end up quarantined, and stay home from work if they feel unwell. However, heeding this advice is a privilege that many Americans cannot afford, especially low-income families, contractors, self-employed individuals and the elderly. Loss of wages, unpaid sick leave, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare are anticipated to disproportionately impact these groups. 

The Campaign

As of today, there are no signs that the epidemic will come to an end soon. This campaign organized by Penny Appeal USA, CelebrateMercy, and ICNYU, is focusing on providing checks to families most in need. While food boxes and hygiene kits are essential, these checks will enable families to pay their rent, their utilities, their medication as well as their transportation. We welcome you to join this solidarity campaign which is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. 

Lost Wages

As a result of the pandemic, many are losing their monthly incomes. Taxi drivers, food-service workers, flight attendants, and janitorial staff are some of many professions that could face months of financial struggle.

Elderly

Not only are the elderly the most vulnerable to dying from COVID-19, they’re also among the poorest here in the US. They are among the least able to stock up on groceries and supplies. According to the Pension Rights Center, the median income for retired adults over age 65 in 2017 was less than $20,000.

The Funds & How to Apply

100% of fundraising proceeds from this campaign will be used to support struggling low-income families who are impacted by this crisis. All donations are tax-deductible.

For those who are economically impacted by COVID-19, see below to apply for our COVID-19 Financial Hardship Grant. We plan to respond to applications within 1 week. Successful applicants will be awarded a grant for use towards food, bills, and any uncovered living expenses as a result of quarantine and/or work and school closures. Please Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered and applicants must reply to the Confirmation Email with the requested documents. 

Resources

• Apply for a Financial Aid Grant: Click Here
• Campaign Short Link: LaunchGood.com/Corona
• Download Campaign Flyer: Click Here
• Share on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram 
• Media Inquiries: Email info@celebratemercy.com
• Become a Community Partner: See Below
• Endorse as an Individual or Organization: See Below
• Sign up for non-financial assistance: Click Here

Community Partners & Endorsers

Influencers, leaders, organizations, and businesses can be listed below as Campaign Endorsers. Campaign Endorsers are only required to promote the campaign via social media and email newsletters. To endorse, fill out the form here. Endorsers, listed alphabetically, will be updated twice daily. 

Current Endorsers:

• Advisors: Imam Khalid Latif, Imam Omar Suleiman
• National Organizations: CAIR National (Council on American -Islamic Relations), CelebrateMercy, Islamic Scholarship Fund, Penny Appeal USA, MPAC (Muslim Public Affairs Council), Poligon Education Fund, Sadhana Coalition of Progressive Hindus, United Hands Relief, American Muslim Community Foundation
• Regional Organizations: IL Muslim Civic Coalition, Islamic Center of NYU, Islamic Society of Western Mass, MSA at NC State University, Northern California Islamic Council, NY for Syrian Refugees
  
• Corporate Endorsers: Haute Hijab, Saffron Road
• National Muslim Leaders: Muna AbuSulayman (Partner at ADRI_Institute), Aman Ali (Muslim American Story Teller), Suleiman Al Ghanem (President & CEO, UHR), Shahed Amanullah (Co-founder, Affinis Labs), Rania Awaad (Executive Director, Khalil Center), Shadee Elmasry ( Founder, Safina Society), Tarek El-Messidi (Founder, CelebrateMercy), Abdul Elsayed (Chair, Southpaw Michigan), Tamara Gray (Founder, Rabata), Faiyaz Jaffer (Associate Chaplain, ICNYU), Arsalan Iftikhar (Author and Human Rights Attorney), Wardah Khalid (Founder and President, Poligon Education Fund), Khalid Latif (Executive Director, ICNYU), Ingrid Mattson (Founder and Director, Hurma Project), Oussama Mezoui (President&CEO, Penny Appeal USA), Hosai Mojaddidi (Co-founder, Mental Health 4 Muslims), Dalia Mogahed (Director of Research, ISPU), Linda Sarsour (Founder, MPower Change), Zaid Shakir (Co-Founder, Zaytuna College), Omar Suleiman (President, Yaqeen Institute), Suhaib Webb (Founder, The Suhaib Webb Institute of Sacred Sciences), Muhi Khwaja (Co-Founder, American Muslim Community Foundation) 
  

Our Team 

This campaign was co-organized by three 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations:

• Penny Appeal USA is one of the fastest-growing relief and development agencies in the US. Alongside affiliate members of Penny Appeal Global, we work to eradicate poverty here in the US and in over 30 countries. Our way of doing charity is simple and has a massive impact. We make charitable giving affordable and rewardable, ensuring everyone can help those in need by donating just a few pennies each day. Since launching in July 2016, Penny Appeal USA has raised over $11 million USD to help eradicate poverty in the USA and overseas. Oussama Mezoui is Penny Appeal USA's President & CEO.

• CelebrateMercy - a US-based organization that teaches about the Prophet Muhammad's life and character through films, programs, and social campaigns. Its recent campaigns raised over $150,000 to repair vandalized Jewish cemeteries and over $200,000 for victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. Media stories about each campaign reached over 100 million people worldwide, including this TV interview on CNN. Tarek El-Messidi is CelebrateMercy's Founding Director.

• ICNYU - The Islamic Center at NYU serves a diverse Muslim population in the New York and the tri-state area. ICNYU provides a safe place for individuals with multiple points of entry to learn, pray, socialize and utilize a space situated at intellectual and spiritual crossroads. Inspired by the belief that communities develop in a supportive environment, people from all backgrounds are welcomed to engage in cross-cultural experiences, social justice endeavors, civic engagement initiatives, multifaith programming, spiritual practices, and religious education. Imam Khalid Latif is ICNYU's Executive Director and University Chaplain.

Media Coverage & Influential Posts

Click the links below:

• Elected Officials:  US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (retweet)
• Shawn King (retweet)
• Eboo Patel (retweet)
• Religious News Service
  
• Religious News Service (Second article) 
• OUTPOST (Video)
• Middle East Eye 
• My San Antonio 
• The Christian Science Monitor 
• Times Union