Alfanar

Executive Director: Myrna Atalla
Established: 2004
Type: Multi-purpose Fundraising Foundation
Focus Region: Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and the Refugee Communities
Sectors: Philanthropy

OVERVIEW

Alfanar is the first venture philanthropy organization in the Arab world. Started by Tarek Ben Halim in 2004, Alfanar provides funding, training, mentorship, and impact management to ambitious social enterprises serving marginalized communities across the region.

Alfanar fosters the growth of self-reliant social ventures working to improve education and economically empower disadvantaged women and youth. Our venture philanthropy approach provides tailored financing, management support, and impact evaluation aimed at helping our social enterprise investees grow their organizations and impact in a financially sustainable manner.

We envision an Arab world in which the poor and vulnerable – especially children, youth, and women – are able to access the education and opportunity they need to lead productive and dignified lives.

To date, Alfanar has invested in more than 70 social enterprises and tangibly improved the lives of more than 273,000 vulnerable individuals in the region. 

MISSION

Turning Social Investment into Sustainable Change

Alfanar strives to improve the lives of underprivileged women, youth, and children, including refugees, by supporting the growth of sustainable, scalable social enterprises.

VISION

Educated and Economically Empowered Citizens

Alfanar envisions an Arab world in which the poor and vulnerable – especially women, youth and children – can access the education and opportunities they need to lead productive and dignified lives.

PROGRAMS

Seed Awards, Sustain Grants, Scale Investment and Advisory Support

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS