James M. Ferris is director of the Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. The center provides research on philanthropy, volunteerism and the nonprofit sector.

Marcy Fink Campos is director of the Center for Community Engagement and Service at American University in Washington, D.C. The center supports student volunteerism that ranges from structured one-day projects to multi-year initiatives that lead to the development of independent nonprofit organizations.

Sarah Jane Rehnborg is interim director of the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. The center seeks to build a more caring society through initiatives in philanthropy and volunteerism.

Pamela J. Sybert is director of the Educational Consortium for Volunteerism at the University of North Texas in Denton. The consortium’s mission is to enhance professional volunteer management and to foster more effective volunteerism through university support.

Read “Companies That Care,” a Forbes magazine article about companies that encourage volunteerism and philanthropy among their employees.

Eighty-seven percent of those 45 and older had volunteered to help their community or a person in need in the last 12 months, according to “Time and Money: An In-Depth Look at 45+ Volunteers and Donors,” a 2003 study by AARP.

“Survey of Young Americans’ Attitudes towards Politics and Public Service,”  a 2012 study from Harvard University Institute of Politics, asked Americans ages 18 to 29 about their opinions regarding politics and public service.

The Muslim Alliance in North America is a national network of masjids, Muslim organizations and individuals committed to work together to address certain urgent needs within the Muslim community.  They are especially concerned with issues affecting indigenous Muslims. Contact: Siraj Wahhaj.

LARIBA is a financing institution that complies with both Islamci Shari’aa law and the United States laws and regulations for financing. They offer housing/mortgage solutions for those interested in taking an Islamic approach to home purchasing.