Alfanar
Alfanar is the Arab region’s first venture philanthropy organisation providing capital as well as management support to promising social enterprises addressing critical issues in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan. With a focus on refugee and other disadvantaged communities, Alfanar, which is headquartered in London but with regional offices, seeks to help businesses scale their impact and become financially sustainable. Education, youth employment, and women’s economic empowerment are key areas for the fund.
- Organisation type Venture philanthropy organisation
- Year founded 2004
- Headquartered London
- Registration United Kingdom · United States · Lebanon · Jordan · Egypt
- Website https://www.alfanar.org
Focus areas
Focus sectors
- Education
Human services
- Youth development
- Food aid
- Thrift shops
- Food banks
Community and economic development
- Economic development
- Community improvement
- Sustainable developement
- Business and industry
- Entrepreneurship
Public affairs
- Leadership development
Philanthropy and public policy
- Venture philanthropy
- Nonprofits
Focus populations
- Women and girls
- Refugees and displaced people
- Low-income people
- Working poor
Focus geographies
North Africa
- Egypt
Middle East
- Lebanon
- Jordan
- Palestine
Grantees
- Natakallam
- Life Vision for Development
- Tabshoura
- Bright Tomorrow for Child Protection (BTCP)
- Takafoo
- INAASH
- Educate Me
- Bridge. Outsource. Transform. (BOT)
- SE Factory
- FabricAID
- Heya Masr
- BEDCO
- Future Eve Foundation
- L'Artisan du Liban
Programmes
Venture Philanthropy Fund
Supporting ambitious social enterprises to develop sustainable revenue streams and breaking the cycle of donor dependency. Alfanar offers funding and management support to its investees.Combat Crisis Campaign
The mobilisation of funds to support vulnerable populations across the Middle East.
Financials
Funding model
- Private
- Fundraising
Primary funders
- Tarek Ben Halim
- Lubna S Olayan
Types of funding and awards
- Cash grants
- Programme related investment
Pro bono services
- Pro bono program design and analysis services
Operations
Key staff
- Myrna Atalla, executive director
- Michelle Mouracade, Lebanon country director
- Fadel Zayan, investment director
Board members
- Chair, Lubna S Olayan
- Board member, Charlotte Boyle
- Board member, Maysa Jalbout
- Board member, Cynthia J. Oakes
- Board member, Julia Middleton
- Board member, Sherif Foda
- Board member, Ajmad Bseisu
- Board member, Samir Assaf
Contact details
- +44 (0) 207 608 8144
- https://www.alfanar.org
- 38 Artillery Lane, London, E1 7LS