Muslim Legal Fund of America
Meets Standards
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
Muslim Legal Fund of America meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to defend Muslims by providing pro bono legal services in criminal, civil, and immigration law at the federal level."
Year, State Incorporated:
2001, TX
The Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA) reports that it provides legal services and programs to educate, protect, and defend Muslims and other targeted communities in America’s courtrooms, prisons, and communities. The organization offers legal representation in federal civil, criminal, and immigration proceedings; federal nonprofit governance, risk, and compliance screenings; consultations; and leadership training. MLFA states that it addresses issues such as travel restrictions, immigration denials, bank account closures, extra scrutiny of nonprofit work, and prisoners denied religious accommodations. In 2025, the organization reports that it secured over $500,000 in grants to expand legal impact, received over 600 requests for legal assistance, and supported 208 active legal matters.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, Muslim Legal Fund of America's program expenses were:
| Program services | $2,578,741 |
| Total Program Expenses | $2,578,741 |
Chief Executive
Arshia Ali-Khan, Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$144,667
Chair of the Board
Hatem Bazian
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Professor, University of California, Berkeley
Board Size
5
Paid Staff Size
28
*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note: Charles Swift, National Security Criminal Defense Center Director, was the highest paid employee, receiving $199,489 in compensation during 2024.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Telephone appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements
Fundraising costs were 17% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $4,229,251, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Muslim Legal Fund of America's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Source of Funds
| Contributions | $3,759,893 |
| Grants | $285,000 |
| In-kind contributions | $184,358 |
| Unrealized gain | $44,613 |
| Dividend and interest | $596 |
| Other income | $517 |
| Total Income | $4,274,977 |
Programs: 71% Fundraising: 20% Administrative: 10%
| Total Income | $4,274,977 |
| Total expenses: | $3,652,319 |
| Program expenses | $2,578,741 |
| Fundraising expenses | $717,215 |
| Administrative expenses | $356,363 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $622,658 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $1,287,830 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $1,910,488 |
| Total Liabilities | $468,238 |
| Total Assets | $2,378,726 |
Note: According to MLFA’s 2024 audited financial statements, the organization received in-kind contributions of $184,358 in the form of advertising and services.
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
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Review in Progress
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Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance