About Us
We believe Muslims can be a wellspring of solutions & have incredible values to share with the world. Together, let's make the world a better place.Join our newsletter Start your campaign
LaunchGood is a global crowdfunding platform to support Muslims Launching good all across the world by helping them raise funds for their campaigns
More than Just a Crowdfunding Platform
There are nearly 2 billion Muslims in the world - as in 2 million people a thousand times over. That's a lot of people!
Yet if you look at the most popular businesses, movies, books, etc., how many come from Muslims? Sadly few to none.
Is it possible that Muslims just aren't capable of being creative & entrepreneurial? Our history as the founders of algebra, chemistry, coffee, shampoo and much more plainly reject that idea.
LaunchGood was started as a community and ecosystem to revive that spirit of creativity and entrepreneurism that elevated Muslims globally for centuries.
It is a place to support great ideas in the community and also challenge ourselves to think bigger. It is a network that insists the ummah is still alive in our hearts, that we are connected no matter where we are. It is our showroom to the world of all the great things Muslims are capable of.
Could a Muslim write the next Harry Potter novel, create the next Lord of the Rings trilogy, or discover the next great vaccine? We firmly believe so, that's why we're here.
We invite you to be part of our global community to launch great campaigns, both as a supporter and as a campaign creator. Together, we can change our communities, our countries and the world - one campaign at a time!
A Global Force for Good
LaunchGood is in over 20 countries and counting.
Our Values
Ecosystem for Global Good
Everything functions within an ecosystem - good things connect to other good things to create even greater things. Each organism has a place in the system, one thing cannot function at its best without the other part.
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This is how it works: A person in China donates to a campaign in New York to help a survivor of domestic abuse. She gets back up on her feet and sends her daughter to a good school. Her daughter becomes a doctor who volunteers in Aleppo as there is a dire shortage of medical aid.
This is what we aim to be a part of. An everliving loop of goodness.
Build for Sustainability
We are here to plant trees knowing that we may never get to sit in its shade. Our intention is for this tree to continue growing for generations to come.
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We view our work with LaunchGood in the same way. While profit is never the only bottom line, to sustain our mission we need to be financially sustainable.
Invest in People
People are everything. At the core of any idea or movement, are committed people. People who share the same values and are working towards the same thing are likely to reach their goal.
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The first Muslims grew from one person, to another, to another and finally to over a billion Muslims. One by one we impact a change of good by investing in each other with kindness, sincerity and love.
Technology is only an amplifier, people change the world.
Muslims are Incredible
We believe each campaign on LaunchGood is one chapter in the big global storybook of who Muslims are and what they're capable of.
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Too often we are constantly telling others who Muslims are not, that we rarely can tell them who we are. We are proud of our heritage as pioneers, inventors, entrepreneurs and bearers of all things good. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "The believer is like a life-bringing rain, wherever they are, they bring benefit." We believe in Muslims doing great work that benefits everyone, not just Muslims.
Prophetic Inclusiveness
LaunchGood is simply here to support Muslims doing great work. We're not interested in getting into polemical discussions, labels, sects, politics, etc.
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From a team perspective, we respect differences in opinions and make sure campaign coaches are assigned to campaigns that align with their values.
From a campaign standpoint, that means we take great caution not to stifle campaign creator’s expression or creativity. We believe in creating a safe space for our community to create, develop, and grow.
Campaigns on the site do not represent LaunchGood or the Muslim community as a whole, they’re only one piece of the beautiful, nuanced, and intricate global Muslim community.
Everyone's VIP
From campaign creators, to supporters, to even just simple questions from inquiring users, we believe anyone we interact with is VIP.
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We might handle hundreds of contributions and campaigns a day, but for that supporter, that contribution might be a percentage of their savings that month, and for a campaign creators that might be the one and only campaign they create their whole life and they’re putting all their hopes, passion, and drive to make an idea actually happen.
It takes real empathy to believe everyone’s VIP, but we get to practice it everyday.
Emotional Ihsan/Excellence
This means taking ownership for your role and giving it your 120%. When you’re invested emotionally, your work bleeds passion and excellence.
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It means realizing that what you do will have a ripple effect and taking ownership on what kind of lasting impression you want to create.
Be the Giving Hand
Support your team members.
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Offer to take the lead or spearhead a new initiative while realizing you have the whole team backing you. Take the load of your fellow team member’s back whether they have finals, a new baby on the way, or just investing in their growth by attending a training.
It Starts At Home
Everyone on our team needs to have been or currently involved in local efforts in their own community.
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How can we build a strong ecosystem if we haven’t started the efforts in our own backyards? This also means making sure we’re are amazing family members, supportive siblings, spouses, daughters/sons, and in the service of our families.
Grit
It’s the number one predictable factor for success beyond what resources, skills, or luck anyone has.
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Grit is perseverance, passion, and determination to achieve long-term goals. Our journey is long and the road is laden with constant challenges. We constantly rely on building strong mental tenacity through patience, and believe in replenishing those reserves with play and a daily self care.
Which value stood out the most to you? Tweet us @LaunchGood
Meet the Team
During the annual team retreat in January, 2018. Taken in Langkawi, Malaysia.
Leadership
3 words to describe Chris:
Competitor, Connector, B-Baller
Chris Abdur-Rahman Blauvelt is a passionate Muslim American entrepreneur committed to building up the global Muslim community to reach its full potential. Chris was born in Malaysia, raised in the United States, became Muslim at 16, studied engineering & educational leadership at the University of Michigan, and has worked as an Intel engineer, an award-winning film producer, founder of Patronicity.com, and winner of the Magic Johnson Social Entrepreneur prize. He lives in Dearborn, Michigan with his wife and 2 kids.
Get in touch
3 words to describe Amany:
Curious, Empathetic, Focused
I am the team's Swiss Army Knife and run our operations. When I'm not LaunchGooding, I'm mountain biking, playing a pick up game of basketball, or devouring a book.
Get in touch
3 words to describe Omar:
Curious. Inspired. Mango-lover.
I'm driven towards building an inspired future through design. The global Muslim community is connected today like never before, it's about time we activate that inter-connectedness for good.
Get in touchCampaigns & Outreach
3 words to describe Khalida:
Cerebral, adventurous, warm
I am a US campaign coach for LaunchGood and also work on various aspects of support for the platform. I am a wandering soul with a crazy case of wanderlust.
Get in touch
3 words to describe Ayisha:
wayfarer, Irish, Bibliophile
When I'm not working with awesome people on raising funds for causes they care about, I make videos
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3 words to describe Ameera:
Goofball, nerd, small-ish
I love being inspired by everyone at LaunchGood and helping incredible Muslims fulfil their dreams through their campaigns. Muslims don't write epitaphs on our tombstones but if we did, I'd like mine to say "She loved and lived well."
Get in touch
3 words to describe Ain:
globetrotter, foodie, and nature-lover
My job at Launchgood is to turn dreamers into doers.
Get in touch
3 words to describe Mariam:
Chill. Minnesotan. LaunchGood-er.
As part of business development, I get to be on the lookout for our next new opportunity or partner in launching good. Outside of LG, I like to be involved with my community, do dabka, and try anything and everything new.
Get in touch
3 words to describe Sarah:
Small but Mighty
As a crowdfunding guru, the best part of my job is providing campaign creators with the confidence to succeed and watching them get there. During my downtime, I immerse myself in global health, refugee and humanitarian-related work, surrender myself to an insatiable travel bug, and take lots of naps in between.
Get in touch
3 words to describe Munadiah:
Loud, Passionate and hopefully funny
At LaunchGood I help campaigns understand their vision, and bring it to reality. Outside of LaunchGood I try and do the same, only it’s slightly more political and the vision is peace and humanity!
Get in touchMarketing & Product
3 words to describe Ryan:
quiet, calculated, hungry
I keep the site running while constantly seeking new ways to expand our technology platform. When I'm not in front of a computer, I explore the Rocky Mountains via hiking, fishing, or camping.
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3 words to describe Martell:
On a boat
Ryan Martell is a senior developer for LaunchGood who helps with technical infrastructure, architecture, and development.
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3 words to describe Nafee:
I Am Awesome
I work on operations, marketing, and data at LaunchGood. Love food and traveling, marketing and numbers gets me excited!
Get in touch
3 words to describe Tahir:
Food, Travel, Basketball
I help lead LaunchGood's product team, build better processes, and design products. I like eating food, traveling, playing basketball, and hanging out with family and friends.
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3 words to describe Farah:
INFP, catwoman, artist
I’m the bot behind all of LaunchGood’s social media accounts. In my spare time, I like to read, travel, and befriend strange cats.
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3 words to describe Bilal:
Short and Sweet
I work somewhere between product design and market strategy with the best people. I also shoot on film and eat blueberries.
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3 words to describe Eric:
Dedicated, dependable and steady.
My work is primarily focused on back-end PHP code with some front end AngularJS work. I have a wife and teenage daughter that help keep me pretty busy when not working or fishing.
Get in touch
3 words to describe Amanda:
Adventurous, Detail-oriented, Smiley
I help develop the design system for LaunchGood. I’m currently traveling around the world to a new city every month!
Get in touchAdvisors
Haaris Ahmad
Advisor, Founding Member
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Haaris is a successful serial entrepreneur who has worked with internet-based businesses since 2001. He graduated from the University of Michigan with his B.A. and from the University of Illinois with his J.D, and serves as legal counsel for Wayne County. When not busy with his work, Haaris is training his daughter to become the next great WNBA starlet.
Shahed Amanullah
Advisor - Founder of Affinis Labs
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A serial Silicon Valley entrepreneur, Shahed Amanullah currently serves as CEO & co-founder of LaunchPosse, a Washington DC-based startup that helps people turn entrepreneurial ideas into reality by leveraging their social networks. Prior to starting LaunchPosse, Shahed served as Senior Advisor for Technology at the US Department of State, where he worked in the bureaus of Secretaries of State John Kerry and Hillary Clinton, and was responsible for building the Generation Change and Viral Peace projects. Shahed worked closely with the White House and other agencies on social entrepreneurship, social media policy, combating online extremism, and fostering innovation.
Shahed is also the founder of Halalfire, a producer of online content and market research for global Muslim communities. In 1998, he created zabihah.com, the world's largest Halal restaurant guide, with 10 million annual users and 500,000 app downloads. He also created altmuslim.com, an award-winning online magazine with 2.5 million annual unique users, and served as its editor-in-chief for 10 years before its 2011 acquisition by Patheos. Earlier, Shahed served as co-founder and CEO of Relatia, a venture-backed mobile software company that was acquired in 2001.
Ahmed Saheb
Advisor
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3 words to describe Ahmed:
Justice seeking world-traveler
I crunch numbers and help the team make more informed financial decisions supported by the data. I am a husband, father and fan of anything Nintendo.
Bob Weins
Advisor, Venture Capitalist, seen-it-all
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Bob Weins has extensive start-up, business turn-around and venture capital experience. His focus has been technology-based start-ups and business restructuring of mature entities. Examples of his work include: the turn-around of the largest Apple Computer distributor serving the North American educational market; co-founding a web services company that created & hosted over 60,000 small business sites; creating a tier-1 automotive supplier and later transforming it into an aerospace systems firm; and, restructuring the business strategy of an internet search marketing firm (transitioning the company from losses to market leadership in growth and profitability). Bob’s venture capital experience includes 3 roles at Quantum Ventures of Michigan: Board or Directors member; CFO; and, Director of Start-Up Ventures. His professional career began at Arthur Andersen and he later joined the law firm of Chirco Herrinton. He is a licensed CPA and attorney, earning his JD from the University of Michigan.