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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: June 2024 Expires: June 2026

United Palestinian Appeal

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

1330 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Suite 104
Washington, DC, 20036

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

United Palestinian Appeal meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to provide social services to impoverished Palestinians residing in the West Bank, Jordan, Gaza strip, and in Lebanese refugee camps."

Year, State Incorporated:
1978, NY

United Palestinian Appeal (UPA) reports that it works with Palestinians in Gaza and neighboring refugee camps to provide health services, education and scholarships, and community development. Health services include the provision of mobile clinics, primary care clinics, as well as medical visits, pharmaceuticals, trauma counseling, and emergency food distribution. The organization's education program offers university scholarships, work study opportunities, fellowships, and vocational training. UPA's community and economic development program works to rebuild and rehabilitate infrastructure, as well as agricultural projects. In 2022, the organization states that its programs served more than 453,000 Palestinians in its areas of operation. In addition, UPA reports that it provided 61,516 individuals with mental health support, distributed 73 educational scholarships, and supported 45 families by building and rehabilitating 18 chicken farms, 17 greenhouses, and 10 sheep farms.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, United Palestinian Appeal's program expenses were:

Health and welfare: $81,915,380

Community development: $399,458

Outreach and public information: $206,299

Education and scholarships: $466,333

Total Program Expenses: $82,987,470

Chief Executive
Saleem Zaru, Executive Director

Compensation*
$182,036

Chair of the Board
Isam Salah

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired, Senior Partner and Head of Middle East Practice, King & Spalding

Board Size
7

Paid Staff Size
45

*2022 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events

Fundraising costs were less than 1% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $83,463,098, 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, 2022.

Source of Funds
Contributions $3,094,505
Stock donations $137,651
In-kind contributions $80,230,942
Dividend and interest income, net $133,148
Realized and unrealized loss on investment, net $-835,090
Other income $282
Total Income $82,761,438

Programs: 99% Fundraising: 0% Administrative: 1%

Total Income $82,761,438
Total expenses: $84,094,860
  Program expenses $82,987,470
  Fundraising expenses $403,738
  Administrative expenses $703,652
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $-1,333,422
Beginning Net Assets $5,724,285
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $4,390,863
Total Liabilities $887,307
Total Assets $5,278,170

Note: According to UPA's 2022 audited financial statements the organization received $80,230,942 in contributed goods and services including pharmaceuticals ($77,166,080) and medical supplies ($3,064,862).

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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Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance