Established in 2002, the Egyptian American Community Foundation (EACF) promotes charitable activities in Egypt and in America. Today, the New York-based foundation faces challenges shared by larger, more established organizations: locating funds and manpower.

Hossam Abdel Maksoud, chairman of the EACF, said the group of business leaders, doctors, engineers and financiers works to meet the needs of the community.

“All of us are busy people, but making time to try to meet the communities' needs is important, and we are committed to serving out the organization's mission,” he said.

Abdel Maksoud, founder and chairman of Maksoud Pharm Inc., said most of EACF's funding comes from its 13-member board.

“At a certain time, it becomes a challenge, especially when we are supporting more community-based programs here in the States and overseas,” he said. “It becomes a vital issue for us, how to continue with limited resources.” Despite financial hurdles and limited manpower, EACF still manages to touch the lives of Americans and Egyptians through a variety of programs. This past April, the group held a dinner fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity in Egypt that was attended by 150 guests. Yousry Makar, director of Habitat for Humanity Egypt, told attendees that EACF's support builds homes for Egyptians.

“The money raised tonight will enable families in Egypt to live happier, healthier lives,” Makar said. “In March we completed our 10,000th house in Egypt, a milestone that would never have been possible without the generous contributions of our many Egyptian-American friends.” The funds raised are specifically dedicated to building many residences in Egypt, which suffers from a crisis of quality, affordable housing.

More recently, EACF has decided to focus its activities closer to home. Abdel Maksoud said EACF plans to create programs that will service recent Egyptian immigrants to America. “As we grew, we saw the need to assist new immigrant families here in the States more than overseas,” he said. “We are really starting to focus a little bit more on our community here in the States now.” In July, EACF sponsored free eye exams and supplied up-to-date vaccination information at the annual Egyptian Festival in Jersey City, New Jersey. Dr. Amgad Ragab, an EACF board member involved with the health fair, said the festival served as community outreach.

“The festival was a great opportunity to celebrate our shared Egyptian culture, while also being responsible and forward-thinking about our personal health,” Ragab said. “Because of EACF's contributions to this fun, family-oriented event, attendees left both happier and healthier.” EACF earmarks contributions for five funds that serve foundation goals. The Mercy Fund helps support basic human needs while the Healthcare Services Fund promotes modern health-care initiatives. In times of crisis, these funds aid people in America and overseas.

After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, EACF donated to reconstruction projects in the New Orleans region. In response to the 2004 tsunami, the organization contributed to the Red Cross. The Childhood Education Fund helps students by funding scholarship programs at the University of Texas, Columbia University and the Rahima Foundation of Northern California. Students interested in broadening American knowledge of the Middle East are eligible for the scholarships.

Efforts to deepen American understanding of Egypt are addressed by EACF's Cultural Communications Fund. Most recently, EACF sponsored an Egyptian folklore troupe that performed in New York and in New Jersey. Abdel Maksoud estimated that about 70 percent of the audiences at both shows were not Egyptian.

“With our sons and daughters growing up here I felt that I was obligated, as a citizen, to educate our friends, our community members and America at large that we are a culture with a history that is rich in love and peace and has a lot to give,” he said.

EACF's Capital Campaign Fund is crucial to its future, a future Abdel Maksoud believes holds promise for the organization.

“I hope we will be there surviving with a stronger foundation, more involved in our community, improving their lives and helping them live their dream in the United States,” he said.

— M. Scott Bortot is a staff writer at www.america.gov