Some of the greatest organisations of recent generations have operated on a non-profit basis, and for decades they have worked to better the world we live in. However, the influence non-profit organisations have, simply would not exist if not for the people who support them. It's a beautiful concept. People coming together for a common cause and selflessly reinvesting any profit back into the organisation they work tirelessly for. We love non-profits! And so we've compiled a list of three unique non-profits each from their respective sectors..
NextWorldBank is a US based clothing brand which donates all proceeds to various charities. The concept is simple, invest in clothing today to contribute to your "next world bank"
"Next World Bank is the non-profit brand that celebrates those who love to give of themselves. Those who refuse to let the dark in this world extinguish their light"
They have an array of colourful and well designed t-shirts all with positive messages. NWB is a well thought out concept and has a deep rooted message and goal, which will serve it well in the future.
"Imagine the life we are living is one leg of a journey, and not our final destination. Every time you perform a good deed, any act of charity, you are paying for your passage into the next life. Even something as small as giving a genuine smile. Now letβs say all of this good is piling up in a celestial savings account, waiting for you until that time comes. This is Next World Bank... The brand that represents the principles of giving and spiritual purification through modern style"
Here are a few of their designs. Grab yourself a tee and help support (yourself) and NextWorldBank.
EverydayMuslim is a heritage project dedicated to documenting and researching the contributions that Muslims have made in the UK. The idea behind the project is to create a comprehensive and well-documented space to appreciate and further understand the experiences of migrant Muslim populations in the UK. Everyday Muslim hopes to do this by collecting and documenting interviews, stories, and images.
βWe are voices that need to be heard. Generations of Muslim people born in Britain need to have their voices heard and their stories toldβ
EverydayMuslim hopes to tackle this issue by covering four areas including family life, work, culture and celebrations as well as faith and worship. For those who have relatives or close friends who migrated to the UK, it is clear that the move to the UK was not easy. It is important that the challenges and successes that these individuals endured and achieved must be preserved and appreciated.
"Khizra Foundation has partnered with Bishopsgate Institute to focus on the inter-generational Muslim communities across London since the 1950s...This collection will establish the first of it's kind archive based on Muslim life in the UK. During the first phase of the five-year long project we are collecting photographs, documents and interviews by visiting individuals, businesses, mosques and Islamic centres across London"
One of our personal favourites is a story titled "The Taxi Ride Home" which details the funny but also enthralling events of a father's move to the UK in 1963. You can find out more about EverydayMuslim and the great work they are doing here.
Probably one of the most far reaching and influential organisations on this list is CAIR. CAIR was established in 1994 and is a US based council focusing on the issues and values that effect Muslim life. The organisation was founded in New Jersey and has since spread throughout the US, CAIR chapters now operate in over 25 US states.
The council hopes to be a unifying body that represents and protects the interests of Muslims in the USA.
"The department works to protect and defend the constitutional rights of American Muslims, thereby supporting the rights of all Americans"
The organisation also works in various other fields including research, publications, outreach and interfaith as well as most notably media relations
"CAIR's communications department works with local and national media to ensure an accurate portrayal of Islam and Muslims is presented to the American public. CAIR monitors local, national and international media, in part to challenge negative stereotypes, but also to applaud and encourage positive representations of Islam and Muslims. Over the years, CAIR has become a respected and credible source for journalists and other media professionals"
Recently a representative from the Dallas/FortWorth chapter of CAIR was featured in an interview with MSNBC host Chris Hayes alongside famed "clock maker" Ahmed Mohamed.
The presence of CAIR as an organisation, provides a sense of security as well as a voice that is prudent, educated and entrenched in Islamic and American values. This non-profit is vital if we want to see a positive swing in the narrative towards Muslims in the US.