The goal of USEF is to cultivate a Muslim community that is active, educated, prosperous, and engaged. We work toward this by building a strong membership base capable of supporting meaningful initiatives through funding, volunteerism, and collaboration.
Our efforts focus on addressing gaps in our social fabric, strengthening community life, and enhancing the work of existing Islamic institutions—ensuring that Central California’s Muslim community continues to thrive and grow.

The answer is a clear no—USEF is not a mosque, does not have an imam, and will not become one. The first generation of Muslim immigrants established mosques across America, which was essential for building our foundations.
USEF represents the next step: an umbrella organization designed to unify community efforts, strengthen our institutions, and address broader social needs—while allowing mosques to continue focusing on their traditional religious roles.

No—youth are not in charge of USEF. All major decisions, budgets, strategic goals, and organizational initiatives are approved by the Strategy Board, a council of experienced adults who lead and serve in various community organizations, including My Deen, CAIR, Masjid Badr, and others.
Young people—college and high-school students—do participate in USEF through the Cabinet, which functions as the working team. This structure gives them an opportunity to serve their community, develop leadership skills, and contribute to meaningful projects, while final authority and oversight remain with the adult leadership.

There is no hidden agenda or secret source of funding behind USEF. All of our financial support comes from community members like you—may Allah reward you for your generosity.
Our primary sources of funding include memberships and recurring donations, which form the backbone of our operations. Additional revenue comes from program fees, ticketed events, merchandise sales, and other initiatives we run throughout the year.
When larger projects arise or when additional funding is needed, USEF organizes fundraisers and seeks sponsorships directly from community donors.
To maintain full transparency, we also release annual financial reports detailing how our funds are collected and allocated.

USEF’s long-term sustainability is built on a strong and growing membership base. By expanding our membership, we give hundreds of community members a direct stake in USEF’s mission—providing consistent financial support and a reliable pool of volunteers who help drive our programs forward.
As our operational needs continue to grow, USEF also plans to establish a Waqf (Endowment) to generate steady, long-term income and reduce the financial burden on the community. This endowment will strengthen our stability, expand our impact, and ensure that USEF can serve future generations with excellence.

This one is simple: USEF exists to serve all Muslims in Central California. Every initiative we pursue is designed to address real challenges faced by our community—and it’s no surprise that both the financial support and volunteer power behind these programs come directly from the community itself.
As for internal structure, USEF follows a clear chain of responsibility. Each team member reports to a designated supervisor, who ultimately reports to the President/CEO. The President/CEO, in turn, is accountable to the Strategy Board, which provides overall oversight and strategic direction.

USEF makes decisions based on the Prophetic tradition of shura—consultation, collaboration, and consensus. Day-to-day decisions related to weekly goals, monthly targets, and delegated responsibilities are handled by the Cabinet and working staff.
Larger organizational decisions are made by the Strategy Board, with the President presenting updates, challenges, and organizational needs. The board’s experienced members then provide guidance, direction, and oversight to ensure USEF remains aligned with its mission and values.

This is one of the most important questions—and the answer is straightforward. USEF’s track record speaks for itself. We are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means all donations are tax-deductible and we are required to file regular financial reports and disclosures with the IRS.
Internally, we maintain rigorous accounting standards and track every dollar with care. Each year, we compile our financial information and share it publicly at our Anniversary Socials to ensure full transparency.
If you ever have questions about how your donations are used, our team is always available to provide clarity. Your trust is essential to our mission, and we are committed to upholding it.

This is a common question. USEF operates very differently from an MSA (Muslim Student Association).
MSAs are student-run organizations housed within high schools or colleges. In contrast, USEF is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves the entire Muslim community of Central California—not just students.

Our team includes both youth and experienced adults—physicians, engineers, educators, parents, and community leaders—working together to advance long-term community development. While we collaborate closely with local MSAs and often support them through funding and shared initiatives, we remain a separate, community-wide organization.

We understand that names can sometimes cause confusion. As we continue to grow, USEF is actively refining its identity to ensure clarity and distinguish our role within the broader community ecosystem.