Pillars Fund is a national nonprofit grantmaking organization and Muslim community foundation headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 2010 as a giving circle housed under the Chicago Community Trust, it became an independent 501(c)(3) public charity in 2016. The organization is named in reference to the five pillars of Islam, the third of which is Zakat. Pillars Fund amplifies American Muslim leadership and narratives, invests in community initiatives, and promotes justice and opportunity for all.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.1M
-3.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.4M
+19.2% YoY
Grant Count
45
+50.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$54K
-20.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Pillars Fund's mission is to create opportunities for American Muslims and to strengthen relations with American Muslims and all Americans. The organization strategically supports nonprofit organizations that amplify the talents and leadership of American Muslims and improve the communities they serve.
The organization focuses on funding secular nonprofit programs supporting American Muslims in media, public relations, and leadership development. Primary funding areas include education, philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking, and human services.
Grantmaking
Pillars Fund operates through its Pillars Signature Program, a community grantmaking fund that makes grants to nonprofit organizations in the United States working to amplify the leadership, talents, and narratives of American Muslims.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Pillars Fund funds primarily in California, New York, and the District of Columbia, with a national scope across the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $8,117,741
- Total revenue: $5,966,431
- Total expenses: $6,163,114
- Net assets: $8,047,120
- Staff: 8 employees
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $8,439,851
- Total revenues: $2,398,957
- Total expenses: $4,783,807
- Staff: 15 employees
Historical:
- Raised $1 million in 2016 upon becoming independent
- Had invested more than $2 million by 2017
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,117,741 | $8,439,851 | $10,844,911 |
| Revenue | $5,966,431 | $2,398,957 | $3,855,611 |
| Expenses | $6,163,114 | $4,783,807 | $4,338,145 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,081 | $1,182 | $1,179 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
177 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Pillars Fund
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Inner City Muslim Action Net ($155,000), Detroit Revival Engaging Mus ($145,000), Defending Rights and Dissent ($135,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACTION CENTER ON RACE CHICAGO, IL | Program Support | $50,000 |
| Allied Media Projects Detroit, MI | Program Support | $100,000 |
| American Muslim Adv Council Nashville, TN | Program Support | $20,000 |
| American Muslim Health Prof Rolling Meadows, IL | Program Support | $25,000 |
| Asian American Jou Washington, DC | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Black Muslim Leadership Counc King of Prussia, PA | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Blue Tin Production LLC Chicago, IL | Program Support | $25,000 |
| Columbia University New York City, NY | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Community Initiatives Oakland, CA | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Community Partners Los Angeles, CA | Program Support | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Kashif Shaikh – Executive Director
- Kalia Abiade – Executive Vice President
- Kelly Jones – Vice President Operations
The organization is governed by a Board of Advisors, many of whom are prominent American Muslims.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kashif Shaikh | Executive Dir. | 40 | $255,208 |
| Kalia Abiade | VP Programs | 40 | $180,000 |
| Arij Mikati | Managing Dir. | 40 | $155,000 |
| Nadia Ismail | Managing Dir. | 40 | $147,900 |
| Waliya Lari | Programs | 40 | $135,000 |
| Hina Mahmood | Programs | 40 | $129,744 |
| Sameer Shamsi | Director | 2 | — |
| Rashid Shabazz | Director | 2 | — |
| Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur | Director | 2 | — |
| Deana Haggag | Secretary | 4 | — |
| Nancy A Khalil | Director | 2 | — |
| Noorain Khan | Treasurer | 4 | — |
| Dr Rami Nashashibi | Director | 2 | — |
| Shakeeb Alam | Board Chair | 4 | — |
Contact Information
- Website: pillarsfund.org
- Address: 200 W Madison St, Floor 3, Chicago, IL 60606-3414
- Phone: 708-529-8774 or 312-574-0077
- Email: info@pillarsfund.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Pillars Fund fund?
Pillars Fund's mission is to create opportunities for American Muslims and to strengthen relations with American Muslims and all Americans. The organization strategically supports nonprofit organizations that amplify the talents and leadership of American Muslims and improve the communities they serve. The organization focuses on funding secular nonprofit programs supporting American Muslims in media, public relations, and leadership development. Primary funding areas include education, philant…
How do I apply for a grant from Pillars Fund?
Pillars Fund operates through its Pillars Signature Program, a community grantmaking fund that makes grants to nonprofit organizations in the United States working to amplify the leadership, talents, and narratives of American Muslims. **Grant Activity:** • Receives over 100 grant applications annually and typically awards approximately 15 grants per year • Typical award range: $10,000–$155,000 • Total giving in 2024: $2,738,668 • Recent grantees (2023) include City University of New York Schoo…
Where does Pillars Fund make grants?
Pillars Fund funds primarily in California, New York, and the District of Columbia, with a national scope across the United States.
What size grants does Pillars Fund award?
In 2024, Pillars Fund awarded 45 grants totaling $2.4M — an average of about $54K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Pillars Fund's EIN?
Pillars Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-0983087. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Pillars Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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