About Us

American Charities for Palestine (ACP) is an innovative charitable organization founded in June 2007 for the purpose of creating a secure mechanism for distributing contributions that improve the quality of life for Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. ACP is pioneering a new approach for distributing secure donations to worthy causes that will help build both peace and Palestine.ACP is designated by the IRS as 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.

In August 2008, ACP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United States Agency for International Development  (USAID) ensuring that all recipients of ACP donations in Palestine are fully vetted and approved by USAID. This is the first such agreement between USAID and any private organization, and it was described by USAID Administrator Henrietta Fore as a “historic step.” ACP donors are and therefore assured that their generosity will be distributed in full compliance with US law as well as reaching truly deserving recipients.

ACP focuses primarily on the fields of health and education. These two sectors are not only central to the immediate improvement of the quality of life for Palestinians, but also indispensable for laying the foundations of a viable future Palestinian state to live alongside Israel. In targeting these two sectors, ACP hopes to advance the cause of peace based on two states – Israel and Palestine – and to support efforts by the United States government to realize this crucial policy goal. In its humanitarian projects, ACP works directly with Palestinian and international charities, as well as USAID and Palestinian Authority agencies.

Since signing its partnership agreement with USAID, ACP has started three charitable initiatives benefiting Palestinians in the West Bank, with amounts totaling $605,000 in contributions. Work on all these projects is well underway, with each either already realized or scheduled for early completion.

In November 2008 ACP, the Palestinian Ministry of Education, and USAID began the distribution of 1,000 laptop computers worth $200,000, donated by One Laptop per Child in partnership with ACP, to schools managed by the PA, UNRWA, and the private sector. ACP started the new year in 2009 by presenting the Spafford Children’s Center with a contribution of $5,000 for the wellbeing of the children of Jerusalem. In January 2009, ACP partnered with CHF International and the Sheikh Mohammed Shami Foundation to initiate a $300,000 development project in the West Bank village of Beit Ur Al-Tahta, installing streetlights along all village roads and making structural improvements to the main road and that leading to the new girls’ high school already donated by the Shami Foundation. Both projects will be completed early in the summer of 2009.

ACP is committed to making a strategic impact on the quality of education and health care delivery to Palestinians. ACP’s partnership with USAID has created a mechanism that reassures donors, vets recipients and provides accountability and transparency. This unique package of safeguards, partnerships and services is particularly suited to attract donors who have an interest in promoting peace and security.  ACP believes there is an intimate connection between improving living conditions and providing hope and the reality of a secure peace between Israel and Palestine.

ACP is the answer for donors who care about peace between Israel and Palestine, but have been uncertain where to securely and constructively invest their funds and goodwill.