United Palestinian Appeal
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
United Palestinian Appeal meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to empower Palestinians to improve their lives and communities through socially responsible and sustainable programs in health, education, and community and economic development."
Year, State Incorporated:
1978, NY
United Palestinian Appeal (UPA) reports that it works in Palestinian territories and refugee camps in Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt, launching its own programs and building long-term relationships with its partner hospitals and health centers to provide social services to impoverished Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and refugee camps in neighboring Arab countries. The organization services include emergency food distribution, medical visits, trauma counseling, pharmaceuticals, and educational and tutoring services for children in Arabic, English, and math. In 2024, the organization states that its emergency response programs distributed food to more than 400,000 individuals, provided medical aid to 280,000 patients, and delivered clothes and hygiene kits to 70,000 individuals. In addition, UPA's medical programs oversaw more than 201,000 patients, and its educational program awarded 77 educational scholarships.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, United Palestinian Appeal's program expenses were:
| Health and wellness | $114,868,848 |
| Outreach and public education | $335,060 |
| Community and economic development | $139,638 |
| Education | $37,615 |
| Total Program Expenses | $115,381,161 |
Chief Executive
Saleem Zaru, Executive Director
Compensation*
$223,577
Chair of the Board
Isam Peter Salah, JD
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired, Senior Partner, Head of Middle East Practice, King & Spalding
Board Size
7
Paid Staff Size
53
*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Workplace Giving
Fundraising costs were 1% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $120,648,283, 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 United Palestinian Appeal's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Source of Funds
| In-kind contributions | $102,939,164 |
| Contributions | $17,542,859 |
| Realized and unrealized gain on investments, net | $288,298 |
| Dividend and interest income, net | $194,640 |
| Stock donations | $166,260 |
| Other income | $50,952 |
| Total Income | $121,182,173 |
Programs: 98% Fundraising: 1% Administrative: 1%
| Total Income | $121,182,173 |
| Total expenses: | $117,179,222 |
| Program expenses | $115,381,161 |
| Fundraising expenses | $715,057 |
| Administrative expenses | $1,083,004 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $4,002,951 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $6,876,679 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $-2,559 |
| Ending Net Assets | $10,877,071 |
| Total Liabilities | $5,077,432 |
| Total Assets | $15,954,503 |
Note 1: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to a loss on disposal of assets.
Note 2: According to UPA's 2024 audited financial statements, the organization received $102,939,164 in donated pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.
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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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance