ZFA
Zakat Foundation of America
Funds the fellowship and advances faith-based humanitarian service globally.
ZFI Muslim Philanthropy and Humanitarian Studies Fellowship
A funded academic pathway cultivating ethical, faith-driven leaders prepared to advance Muslim philanthropy and humanitarian service around the world.
Faith, Scholarship & Service
Lead With Purpose, Compassion & Integrity
The ZFI Muslim Philanthropy and Humanitarian Studies Fellowship is an academic initiative designed to cultivate ethical, faith-driven leaders who can transform Muslim philanthropy and humanitarian work globally.
Fellows engage in a rigorous pathway that combines modern philanthropic studies with Islamic humanitarian principles.
Through graduate education, practical leadership training, research, and publication, the fellowship prepares participants to serve humanity with knowledge and compassion.
Graduate Certificate candidates may work toward dual certificates, while Master of Arts candidates can progress toward graduate credentials from both ZFI and Indiana University.
Partners Advancing Muslim Philanthropy
Four institutions contribute funding, scholarship, research leadership, and graduate education to this distinctive fellowship pathway.
IU
Indiana University
Home to the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and its pioneering philanthropy programs.
MPI
Muslim Philanthropy Initiative
Advances research, thought leadership, and initiatives strengthening Muslim philanthropy.
ZFI
Zakat Foundation Institute
Advances Islamic scholarship through graduate humanitarian and philanthropic education.
What Makes the Fellowship Distinctive
A graduate experience combining funded education, multiple academic credentials, global access, research, and professional development.
01
Funded Pathway
Approved Indiana University tuition is supported through the collaboration among ZFA, ZFI, and IU.
02
Multiple Credentials
Pursue complementary graduate credentials in humanitarian leadership and philanthropic studies.
03
Online Access
Complete coursework online through an asynchronous format designed for a global cohort.
04
Research & Publication
Develop a white paper and book chapter for publication through ZFI.
Fellowship Pathways
Review the Graduate Certificate and Master of Arts fellowship pathways separately.
Certificate Pathway
Dual Graduate Certificates
Certificate fellows can pursue two complementary credentials through ZFI and Indiana University.
15 credits:
Graduate Certificate in Muslim
Philanthropy and Humanitarian
Studies — ZFI
12 credits:
Graduate Certificate in
Philanthropic Studies —
Indiana University
Certificate Highlights
- Dual credential pathway.
- 100% online, asynchronous learning.
- Indiana University tuition support for approved fellowship courses.
- White paper and book chapter contribution.
- Pathway toward Master of Arts degrees.
| Term | Institution | Code | Course | Credits | ZFI Cert. | IU Cert. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 | ZFI | HL501 | Realizing the Localization Agenda | 3 | Yes | No |
| Spring 1 | ZFI | HL502 | Understanding the Global Institutions of Aid and Development | 3 | Yes | No |
| Summer 1 | IU | PHST-P521 | Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector | 3 | No | Yes |
| Summer 1 | IU | PHST-P558 | Principles and Practices of Fundraising | 3 | No | Yes |
| Fall 2 | IU | PHST-P536 | Muslim Philanthropy | 3 | Yes | No |
| Fall 2 | IU | PHST-P537 | Muslim Humanitarianism | 3 | Yes | No |
| Spring 2 | IU | PHST-P532 | Applying Ethics in Philanthropy | 3 | No | Yes |
| Spring 2 | IU | PHST-P538 | Muslim Philanthropic and Humanitarian Leadership Capstone | 3 | Yes | Yes |
ZFI Certificate: 15 Credits
IU Certificate: 12 Credits
Master of Arts Pathway
Graduate Certificates & Master's Degrees
The Master of Arts route builds from the certificate pathway toward advanced degrees in humanitarian leadership and philanthropic studies.
Graduate Certificate — ZFI:
15 credits
M.A. in Humanitarian Leadership — ZFI:
30 credits
Graduate Certificate — IU:
12 credits
M.A. in Philanthropic Studies — IU:
36 credits
Master of Arts Highlights
- Multiple graduate credentials from ZFI and IU.
- Up to approximately three years.
- Online, flexible, and globally connected.
- IU tuition support for the approved fellowship pathway.
- White paper and book chapter publication requirement.
| Institution | Term | Code | Course | Credits | ZFI M.A. | IU M.A. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZFI | Fall 1 | HL501 | Realizing the Localization Agenda | 3 | Yes | — |
| ZFI | Fall 1 | HL506 | Humanitarian Leadership Writing I | 3 | Yes | — |
| ZFI | Spring 1 | HL502 | Understanding the Global Institutions of Aid and Development | 3 | Yes | — |
| ZFI | Spring 1 | HL507 | Humanitarian Leadership Writing II | 3 | Yes | — |
| IU | Summer 1 | — | Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector | — | — | Yes |
| IU | Summer 1 | — | Principles and Practices of Fundraising | 3 | — | Yes |
| IU | Fall 2 | HL503 | Muslim Philanthropy | 3 | Yes | Yes |
| IU | Fall 2 | HL505 | Muslim Humanitarianism | 3 | Yes | Yes |
| IU | Spring 2 | — | Ethics and Values in Philanthropy | 3 | — | Yes |
| IU | Spring 2 | HL504 | Muslim Philanthropic and Humanitarian Leadership Capstone | 3 | Yes | Yes |
| ZFI | Summer 2 | HL508 | Humanitarian Leadership Portfolio | 6 | Yes | — |
| IU | Fall 3 | HL509 | Internship | 3 | Yes | Yes |
| IU | Fall 3 | — | IU Requirement | 3 | — | Yes |
| IU | Spring 3 | — | IU Requirement | 3 | — | Yes |
| IU | Summer 3 | — | IU Requirement | 3 | — | Yes |
ZFI: Certificate 15 · M.A. 30 Credits
IU: Certificate 12 · M.A. 36 Credits
Maintain Your Fellowship
Admission to ZFI and Indiana University is handled independently, and fellows must remain in good academic and professional standing.
Eligibility
- Be admitted to the relevant ZFI Graduate Certificate or Master of Arts program.
- Independently secure admission to the corresponding Indiana University program. Admission to ZFI does not guarantee admission to IU.
- Demonstrate strong interest in Islam, Muslim philanthropy, nonprofits, or humanitarian work.
- Students already admitted to an eligible IU program may also apply for the Master of Arts fellowship route.
Continuation Requirements
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or the required B+ course standard.
- Maintain continuity between ZFI and IU admissions.
- Uphold the professional conduct standards of both institutions.
- Complete all academic and fellowship participation requirements.
- Submit an unofficial IU transcript to ZFI at the end of each IU semester.
Important:
Failure to maintain eligibility may result
in discontinuation of fellowship funding.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to ZFI?
Review the program requirements and submit
your application through the
ZFI admissions page
.
Supporting documents should be attached to
the online application.
Does admission to ZFI guarantee admission to Indiana University?
No. Candidates must meet IU's requirements
and secure admission independently. ZFI
admission does not guarantee IU admission.
Can I complete the fellowship online?
The published fellowship pathway is designed
for online, asynchronous study, making it
accessible to students in different locations.
What scholarly work do fellows complete?
Fellows produce a white paper and a book
chapter for publication through ZFI.
Where should late supporting documents be sent?
If documents are submitted after the application,
contact the Admissions Department at
admissions@zfinstitute.com
.
Fellowship questions may also be directed to
program.manager@zfinstitute.com
.
ZFI Fellowship
View Admissions
Join a Global Community of Purpose-Led Leaders
Begin a graduate pathway that connects academic excellence, Islamic humanitarian principles, philanthropy, research, and practical leadership.