Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often from our community. If you don't see yours here, reach out, we read every message.
Open doors, open books
mupla is committed to transparency. Roughly 90% of every donation goes directly to programs, food, supplies, transportation, scholarships, and small stipends for the families we serve. The remaining 10% covers essential operations: rent, insurance, a small staff, and the technology that keeps the foundation running.
We publish a detailed annual report every spring covering all funds received and spent, programs funded, and people served. If you have questions about how mupla works, anything on this page or beyond, we want to hear them.
Common questions
From donations to volunteering, here is what people ask us most.
What is the mupla foundation?
The mupla foundation is a Muslim community foundation dedicated to education, service, and community building. We run programs that bring neighbors together, support families in need, and offer learning opportunities for all ages. We are a registered nonprofit funded entirely by donations from community members like you.
How can I donate?
Visit our Donate page to see current giving options, including one-time and recurring donations, Zakat and Sadaqah designations, and in-kind contributions. All donations are tax-deductible; you will receive a receipt by email.
Is my Zakat accepted here?
Yes. We accept and distribute Zakat according to the eight categories mentioned in the Qur'an (9:60). Our Zakat committee reviews every request confidentially, and 100% of Zakat funds go directly to eligible recipients, none of it is used for operational costs. When you donate, simply select the Zakat designation.
How do I volunteer?
Visit our Get Involved page to see current volunteer opportunities. We have roles for every schedule, one-time event helpers, weekly program volunteers, skills-based contributors, and board/committee members. We onboard new volunteers with a short orientation and pair you with an experienced volunteer for your first few shifts.
Do I need to be Muslim to attend events or volunteer?
No. Our programs serve the whole community, and we welcome volunteers and participants of all backgrounds. Some of our programs are explicitly interfaith (food pantry, refugee support); others are Muslim community spaces where non-Muslim friends are warmly welcomed. You do not need to be Muslim to show up and help.
How is my donation spent?
We publish a detailed annual report covering every dollar received and spent, the programs funded, and the people served. You can read the latest report on our Donate page. In short: about 90% goes directly to programs, with the remaining 10% covering essential operations (staff, space, insurance).
Can I donate my time instead of money?
Absolutely. Many of our most valuable contributions are time and skills, not money. Visit Get Involved to see current opportunities. We especially need volunteers with skills in graphic design, video editing, accounting, legal services, event planning, and translation.
How do I contact the foundation?
The fastest way is our Contact page. You can also email us directly at hello@mupla.org or request our current phone number by emailing hello@mupla.org during business hours. We try to respond to every message within two business days.
Why people trust us
A note from a long-time supporter.
The annual report is the reason I keep giving to mupla. The transparency isn't just words on a page, every dollar I donate has a story attached, and I know exactly where it went.
Fatima S.
Patron donor
A note on religious questions
We get a fair number of questions about the religious basis for our work, how we handle Zakat, what the eight categories mean in practice, how we approach interfaith service, and what faith tradition guides our programs.
For general questions like "what does Zakat mean in our community?", we've published a short essay on the blog, What Zakat means in our community. For questions specific to your own practice, we strongly recommend consulting a qualified scholar in your own community rather than relying on any one foundation's position.
Accessibility
We work hard to make this site (and our events) accessible to everyone. If something on this site isn't working for you, a screen-reader incompatibility, a video without captions, anything else, please email access@mupla.org and we'll fix it quickly.
Talk to a real person
If your question isn't here, send us a note. Most messages get a personalized response within two business days.