Multifaith Alliance
100+ partners working together to deliver hope and restore dignity
MULTIFAITH
ALLIANCE
Delivering hope through the power of alliance
About Us
Multifaith Alliance (MFA) is a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that brings together faith communities and secular organizations to deliver humanitarian aid to people caught in conflict and displacement.
Since 2013, our coalition of over 100 partners has operated where needs are greatest and access is hardest. Turning collective strength into real, lasting impact.
We believe an alliance is the strongest force. Together, we can reach further and create the greatest impact.
Our Mission
We meet urgent humanitarian needs while supporting recovery over time. MFA manages aid delivery from start to finish, sourcing supplies, coordinating access, and delivering goods and services directly to communities. We work alongside trusted local leaders and a broad network of faith-based, secular, civic, and private allies to ensure assistance is targeted, responsible, and responsive to real needs.
Our Vision
We envision a world where diverse communities work together to support people displaced by conflict. A world where individuals and families can rebuild their lives with trust, resilience, and hope, grounded in local leadership, shared responsibility, and dignity. A future where humanitarian action bridges divides, and every person, regardless of faith or background, has access to safety, opportunity, and a path forward.
How We Work
End-to-End Delivery in High-Constraint Environments
Delivering essential goods and services in high-constraint environments through end-to-end logistics, procurement, and last-mile distribution.
Restoring Critical Community Systems
Restoring and strengthening critical community systems, including healthcare, agriculture, clean water, energy, and housing, to support long-term resilience and recovery.
Trusted Local & Interfaith Networks
Working through trusted local, interfaith, and diaspora networks that enable access and rapid response in areas where traditional systems are fragmented or inaccessible, thereby fostering humanitarian diplomacy.
Bridging Global Solutions with Local Action
Bridging international resources with locally led implementation, helping partners translate funding and support into practical action on the ground, facilitating market growth.
Humanitarian Diplomacy & Strategic Engagement
Connecting field operations with diplomacy, advocacy, and strategic engagement to build trust across populations divided by religious and cultural beliefs, while elevating the lived experiences of communities affected by conflict.
Platform and Operator
MFA serves as both an implementer and a coordination platform. Two complementary roles that reinforce each other to deliver outcomes neither could achieve alone.
Operator
Platform
This dual role is what sets MFA apart: we bring partners together and then deliver on what is agreed — bridging the gap between coordination and implementation that limits most humanitarian efforts.
Founders and Leadership
Dr. Georgette Bennett
Founder and ChairpersonTED speaker Dr. Georgette Bennett is an award-winning sociologist, widely published author, popular lecturer, and former broadcast journalist. An innovative and entrepreneurial leader, she is an active philanthropist whose work focuses on conflict resolution and intergroup relations.
In 2013, Dr. Bennett founded the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees — now Multifaith Alliance (MFA) — and currently serves as its Board Chair. In 1992, she founded the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, a leading organization dedicated to combating religious prejudice.
Dr. Bennett is also a co-founder of the Global Covenant of Religions / Global Covenant Partners, which works to delegitimize the use of religion to justify violence and extremism.
She is Immediate Past Chair of the Jewish Funders Network and serves on the Board of Third Way. In addition, she is an Advisory Board member of the International Rescue Committee and the Milstein Center for Interreligious Dialogue at the Jewish Theological Seminary.
Board of Directors
Rodney Archer
Board MemberDr. Yahya Basha
Board MemberMartin Kalin
SecretaryDr. Abdalmajid Katranji
Board MemberMichael Swidler
Board MemberDavid Weiss
TreasurerJonathan Wiesner
Board MemberShadi Martini
Board MemberLeadership & Field Expertise
A dedicated team of leaders, experts, and field responders committed to delivering humanitarian aid and driving sustainable impact.
Shadi Martini
Chief Executive Officer
Marlene Adler
Head of Operations
Betsy Dribben
Head of Advocacy
Elana Banin
Head of Strategy and Partnerships
Ahed Festuk
Logistics Manager
Mustafa Fadil
Systems and Data ManagerSarah Awaidah
Executive Director of Multifaith Alliance MENA Aid regionNancy Karaeen
Assistant to Executive Director
Louai kaddoumi
Social media and video ManagerFiras Al Ali
Head of Programs
Ismaeel Suleiman
Director of MFA’s Office in Ar-Raqqah
Firas Oweid
Board Member & Treasurer
Ahmed Mohammad
Board Member & Public Relations Director
Ola Najjar
External Relations Manager
Hiba Kurdi
Internal Relations Officer
Omar Azrak
Photographer & Video Editor
Kamel Alsawwa
Warehouse & Logistics OfficerOur History
MFA Founded
Dr. Georgette Bennett, daughter of Holocaust survivors and champion of interfaith cooperation, established Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees as the nation's first interfaith response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Syria. MFA began with advocacy efforts alongside faith communities, civil society organizations, and partners to raise awareness of the facts, needs, and opportunities to support displaced Syrians.
Expansion into Humanitarian Relief
MFA expanded its capacity to deliver humanitarian assistance to hard-to-reach displaced Syrian communities. Leveraging the Golan Heights corridor under Israel's Good Neighbor policy, MFA delivered aid to besieged communities in southern Quneitra, supporting civilians for two years and helping establish a bread factory producing 15,000 pitas daily and a maternity hospital.
"Three Great Fears" Published
MFA released the Three Great Fears report to address concerns about Syrian refugees coming to America—economic displacement, terrorism, and Islamophobia—using evidence-based research to counter misinformation.
Fund A Container Launches
MFA launched the Fund A Container program, allowing donors to sponsor shipments of life-saving aid to displaced communities.
Expansion of Aid Deliveries
As conflict dynamics shifted and the Golan Heights corridor closed, MFA rerouted shipments and expanded aid delivery across northern Syria, northern Iraq, Lebanon, and Türkiye. Its partner-driven approach enabled the sourcing and distribution of aid, the implementation of humanitarian projects, and grassroots engagement.
Emergency COVID-19 Response
As global supply chains collapsed, MFA scaled operations to deliver critical PPE and medical supplies, including ventilators, thermometers, masks, gloves, sanitizer, and hazmat equipment.
Beirut Lebanon Port Explosion
Following the Beirut explosions, MFA worked through partners to deliver hygiene kits and food to Syrian and Lebanese communities affected by the disaster.
AARP Purpose Prize
Founder Dr. Georgette Bennett received the AARP Purpose Prize for her leadership and impact through MFA.
Primary Healthcare Facility Opens in Northern Syria
MFA opened a Primary Healthcare Center in northeastern Syria, serving a catchment population of 50,000. All medicines and services are provided at no cost.
Forbes 50 Over 50
Dr. Bennett was named one of Forbes' 50 Over 50 Women of Impact.
Clean Water Projects Commence
MFA installed two solar-powered Watergen systems in Syria, providing clean drinking water for approximately 800 people per day at healthcare facilities.
Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees becomes Multifaith Alliance
MFA transitioned from fiscal sponsorship to an independent 501(c)(3) status, reflecting its expanded scope and global reach.
Earthquakes Devastate Syria & Türkiye
MFA was among the first international NGOs to cross the Türkiye–Syria border with humanitarian aid, deploying emergency response services, diagnostic imaging, and modular health clinics.
WelcomeCorps
MFA supported the launch of the U.S. Welcome Corps program, advocating for Syrian families and students and guiding communities through private refugee sponsorship.
Aid to Ukraine
MFA sent its first shipment of prenatal vitamins to Ukraine and expanded partnerships to deliver essential medicines and medical supplies.
MENA Aid Launches
MFA began leading the MENA Aid initiative, a regional coalition coordinating secure aid delivery to vulnerable communities in Gaza.
Aid to Guatemala
MFA delivered its first shipment of prenatal vitamins to Guatemala to support maternal health.
Assad Regime Falls, New Opportunities in Syria
As displaced Syrians began returning home, MFA expanded operations into newly liberated areas, building on nearly a decade of experience.
Shadi Martini Addresses the Knesset
MFA's CEO became one of only two Arab civil-society representatives to address the inaugural session of the Knesset Caucus for the Advancement of a Regional Security Agreement, carrying a message across borders; coverage reached nine international outlets.
Registered to Operate Locally in Three Contexts
MFA became registered to operate locally in Syria, Gaza, and Israel, deepening its footprint in the communities it serves.
Malnutrition Treatment Program in Gaza
With Edesia Nutrition, MFA launched a targeted program that treated 7,166 children and enrolled thousands more for prevention.
All-Time Aid Delivery Value Surpasses $700 Million
Since 2016, MFA has delivered more than $700 million in humanitarian aid worldwide.