Alfanar
Encyclopedia
Alfanar is the first venture philanthropy
organisation (VPO) focused specifically on supporting development efforts in the Arab Region
. Started by Tarek Ben Halim
in 2004, Alfanar is guided by the vision that building effective and sustainable civil society
organisations will not only improve lives, but also transform communities across the Arab region.
Alfanar has been operating in Egypt
since 2004, supporting innovative organisations that work to improve early childhood education, enhance economic opportunities, combat domestic violence, widen access to healthcare, and raise awareness about social, economic and human rights.
Alfanar is preparing to expand into a second Arab market in 2011.
was born in Tripoli
, Libya
, on 4 December 1955 to Mustafa Ben Halim
who served as Prime Minister
of Libya
from April 1954 to May 1957, and Yusra Kanaan, a mother of Palestinian descent. After receiving a BSc
in Finance
from Warwick University and an MBA from Harvard Business School
, he worked as an investment banker at JP Morgan, Credit Suisse First Boston
and Goldman Sachs
where he rose to Managing Director. In 2005, Tarek was appointed non-executive director
of the MAF Group in Dubai
. He also acted as an Advisor to the Central Bank of Libya
and Trustee of Common Purpose International
.
After battling brain cancer for 14 months, Tarek passed away on the 11th of December 2009, one week after his 54th birthday. Tarek’s obituary in The Guardian
reads: “He believed passionately in the duty of wealthier Arabs to give something back to the region, and he railed against the ‘self-serving, unrepresentative governments that have, with few exceptions, ruled the Arab world since the 19th century’”.
Tarek Ben Halim
is survived by his wife Cynthia Oakes, the daughter of iconic US journalist
John Bertram Oakes
, and their three children.
The Tarek Ben Halim Memorial Fund Film, which tells the story of Tarek’s vision behind Alfanar, can be viewed here - Memorial Fund Film
(VP) is a results-oriented approach to development that employs high engagement, long-term investment, tailored financing, non-financial capacity building, and performance measurement to charitable giving. It is a form of ‘engaged’ philanthropy that aims to build effective, sustainable organisations with high social impact.
Alfanar recognizes that inadequate funding, limited management capacity, and difficulty scaling hamper innovative charities, non-profits, and social enterprises in the Arab region from meeting their social goals and achieving financial independence.
In response to these challenges, Alfanar employs a three-part venture philanthropy approach, including:
Alfanar builds long-term partnerships with enterprising organisations that meet its selection criteria, including:
Alfanar tailors its venture philanthropy support to each organisation’s needs, working with:
Since 2004, Alfanar has employed its high-engagement venture philanthropy approach with nine partner charities in Egypt, impacting over 5,000 lives. Alfanar’s current portfolio includes 6 partners
Jussoor (meaning “Bridges” in Arabic) is an outreach initiative that aims to identify young social entrepreneurs, philanthropists and leaders interested in Arab development efforts and engage them in Alfanar’s venture philanthropy
work through workshops and follow-on creative labs.
Jussoor was launched with a pilot workshop in London in February 2011, which brought together 18 university students and recent graduates for an experiential learning weekend. In addition to panel discussions with young Arab leaders, fundraising and social media challenges, the workshop exposed participants to the core concepts of venture philanthropy through group work around case studies and organisational challenges faced by Alfanar’s partners in Egypt.
Jussoor graduates now meet on a monthly basis to plan and execute activities aimed at building support for Alfanar and its partners, while gaining essential skills including leadership, strategic planning and fundraising.
Once firmly established in the UK, Jussoor will expand to the Arab world and the U.S.
For more information on Jussoor, please visit Jussoor-Alfanar
Venture philanthropy
Venture philanthropy, also known as philanthrocapitalism, takes concepts and techniques from venture capital finance and high technology business management and applies them to achieving philanthropic goals.Venture philanthropy is characterized by:...
organisation (VPO) focused specifically on supporting development efforts in the Arab Region
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
. Started by Tarek Ben Halim
Tarek Ben Halim
Tarek Ben Halim was a successful investment banker who left banking in 2000 to pursue charitable work and promote justice and democracy in the Arab World...
in 2004, Alfanar is guided by the vision that building effective and sustainable civil society
Civil society
Civil society is composed of the totality of many voluntary social relationships, civic and social organizations, and institutions that form the basis of a functioning society, as distinct from the force-backed structures of a state , the commercial institutions of the market, and private criminal...
organisations will not only improve lives, but also transform communities across the Arab region.
Alfanar has been operating in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
since 2004, supporting innovative organisations that work to improve early childhood education, enhance economic opportunities, combat domestic violence, widen access to healthcare, and raise awareness about social, economic and human rights.
Alfanar is preparing to expand into a second Arab market in 2011.
The Founder
Tarek Ben HalimTarek Ben Halim
Tarek Ben Halim was a successful investment banker who left banking in 2000 to pursue charitable work and promote justice and democracy in the Arab World...
was born in Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
, Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
, on 4 December 1955 to Mustafa Ben Halim
Mustafa Ben Halim
Mustafa Ahmed Ben Halim was the Prime minister of Libya from 12 April 1954 to 25 May 1957. Mustafa was born in exile on 29 January 1921 in Alexandria, Egypt. He graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering from The Egyptian University in Alexandria in 1943. He returned to Libya in 1950 to help with...
who served as Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
from April 1954 to May 1957, and Yusra Kanaan, a mother of Palestinian descent. After receiving a BSc
BSC
BSC is a three-letter abbreviation that may refer to:Science and technology* Bachelor of Science , an undergraduate degree* Base Station Controller, part of a mobile phone network; see: Base Station subsystem...
in Finance
Finance
"Finance" is often defined simply as the management of money or “funds” management Modern finance, however, is a family of business activity that includes the origination, marketing, and management of cash and money surrogates through a variety of capital accounts, instruments, and markets created...
from Warwick University and an MBA from Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School is the graduate business school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States and is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world. The school offers the world's largest full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and many executive...
, he worked as an investment banker at JP Morgan, Credit Suisse First Boston
Credit Suisse First Boston
Credit Suisse First Boston was the former name of the banking firm Credit Suisse.-History:In 1978, Credit Suisse and First Boston Corporation formed a London-based 50-50 investment banking joint venture called the Financière Crédit Suisse-First Boston...
and Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is an American multinational bulge bracket investment banking and securities firm that engages in global investment banking, securities, investment management, and other financial services primarily with institutional clients...
where he rose to Managing Director. In 2005, Tarek was appointed non-executive director
Non-executive director
A non-executive director or outside director is a member of the board of directors of a company who does not form part of the executive management team. He or she is not an employee of the company or affiliated with it in any other way...
of the MAF Group in Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
. He also acted as an Advisor to the Central Bank of Libya
Central Bank of Libya
The Central Bank of Libya is the monetary authority in Libya and enjoys the status of autonomous corporate body. The law establishing the CBL stipulates that the objectives of the central bank shall be to maintain monetary stability in Libya , and to promote the sustained growth of the economy in...
and Trustee of Common Purpose International
Common Purpose UK
Common Purpose UK is a British charity that runs leadership development programmes across the UK.Founded in 1989 by its current Chief Executive, Julia Middleton, its aim is to improve the way organisations and society work together by developing all kinds of leaders through a programme of diverse...
.
After battling brain cancer for 14 months, Tarek passed away on the 11th of December 2009, one week after his 54th birthday. Tarek’s obituary in The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
reads: “He believed passionately in the duty of wealthier Arabs to give something back to the region, and he railed against the ‘self-serving, unrepresentative governments that have, with few exceptions, ruled the Arab world since the 19th century’”.
Tarek Ben Halim
Tarek Ben Halim
Tarek Ben Halim was a successful investment banker who left banking in 2000 to pursue charitable work and promote justice and democracy in the Arab World...
is survived by his wife Cynthia Oakes, the daughter of iconic US journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
John Bertram Oakes
John Bertram Oakes
John Bertram Oakes was an iconoclastic and influential U.S. journalist known for his early commitment to the environment, civil rights, and opposition to the Vietnam War. He was born in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, the second son of George Washington Ochs Oakes and Bertie Gans...
, and their three children.
The Tarek Ben Halim Memorial Fund Film, which tells the story of Tarek’s vision behind Alfanar, can be viewed here - Memorial Fund Film
Alfanar’s Venture Philanthropy Approach
Venture philanthropyVenture philanthropy
Venture philanthropy, also known as philanthrocapitalism, takes concepts and techniques from venture capital finance and high technology business management and applies them to achieving philanthropic goals.Venture philanthropy is characterized by:...
(VP) is a results-oriented approach to development that employs high engagement, long-term investment, tailored financing, non-financial capacity building, and performance measurement to charitable giving. It is a form of ‘engaged’ philanthropy that aims to build effective, sustainable organisations with high social impact.
Alfanar recognizes that inadequate funding, limited management capacity, and difficulty scaling hamper innovative charities, non-profits, and social enterprises in the Arab region from meeting their social goals and achieving financial independence.
In response to these challenges, Alfanar employs a three-part venture philanthropy approach, including:
- Financial grants
- High-engagement management guidance
- Volunteer technical expertise
Alfanar builds long-term partnerships with enterprising organisations that meet its selection criteria, including:
- Imaginative ideas responding to a demonstrable need within a disadvantaged community
- Enterprising leadership and culture
- Long-term focus
- Commitment to income generation
- Alignment with Alfanar’s core principles
Alfanar tailors its venture philanthropy support to each organisation’s needs, working with:
- Start-up organisations to strategically develop and implement their ideas
- More established organisations to devise innovative programmes that ensure both social and financial returns.
Since 2004, Alfanar has employed its high-engagement venture philanthropy approach with nine partner charities in Egypt, impacting over 5,000 lives. Alfanar’s current portfolio includes 6 partners
Alfanar’s Partners in 2011
- Early Childhood Education with the Future Lights for Development Organisation, started in 2007 Childhood Education Film
- Counselling and Psychological Support for Victims of Domestic Violence with the Way Association for Charitable Activities, started in 2010
- Women’s Economic Empowerment and Community Development with Helwan Association for Community Development (Bashayer), started in 2007 Women's Empowerment Film
- Combating Domestic Violence with Shomoo Association for Sustainable Development, started in 2010
- Arts Training for Disadvantaged Youth with Al Mawred Al Thaqafy, started in 2010
- Psychological Health and Community Development with Kelmetna Association for Dialogue and Development, started in 2010
Youth Outreach
Jussoor: Connect for ChangeJussoor (meaning “Bridges” in Arabic) is an outreach initiative that aims to identify young social entrepreneurs, philanthropists and leaders interested in Arab development efforts and engage them in Alfanar’s venture philanthropy
Venture philanthropy
Venture philanthropy, also known as philanthrocapitalism, takes concepts and techniques from venture capital finance and high technology business management and applies them to achieving philanthropic goals.Venture philanthropy is characterized by:...
work through workshops and follow-on creative labs.
Jussoor was launched with a pilot workshop in London in February 2011, which brought together 18 university students and recent graduates for an experiential learning weekend. In addition to panel discussions with young Arab leaders, fundraising and social media challenges, the workshop exposed participants to the core concepts of venture philanthropy through group work around case studies and organisational challenges faced by Alfanar’s partners in Egypt.
Jussoor graduates now meet on a monthly basis to plan and execute activities aimed at building support for Alfanar and its partners, while gaining essential skills including leadership, strategic planning and fundraising.
Once firmly established in the UK, Jussoor will expand to the Arab world and the U.S.
For more information on Jussoor, please visit Jussoor-Alfanar