The charity Human Appeal USA paid the academic Khaled Beydoun $2,040,887 for fundraising activities in the fiscal year ending 2024, according to public accounts.
Their filing shows that Beydoun raised $7,120,440 for the charity for online LaunchGood campaigns (for Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Kashmir etc) during the year, which means they kept $5,079,553 of the total. Beydoun was paid 28.7%.of the money raised from donors.
Human Appeal USA have issued a statement saying a clerical error was made in the accounts and the funds were meant for Beydoun’s Islamophobia organisation rather than him personally.
For his part, Beydoun has issued a statement confirming the same although no proof has been provided that the money was transferred to his organisation.
Meanwhile, 5Pillars has spoken to several industry experts who have told us that Human Appeal USA has acted unethically and misled its donors about where money donated has actually gone.
Human Appeal USA statement
Following the revelations and online anger by Muslims, Human Appeal USA sent the following statement to 5Pillars:
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“At Human Appeal, we are deeply committed to transparency, accountability, and the highest standards of humanitarian service. As a registered, regulated, and independently audited charity, we are humbled by the trust placed in us by our supporters and the communities we serve.
“We feel it is important to address recent online rumors and claims relating to an influencer who helped raise funds for one of Human Appeal USA’s emergency appeals, and to clarify the facts.
“We acknowledge that an interim 990 form was filed on behalf of Human Appeal USA that contained errors. This filing was incorrect and is currently being rectified in cooperation with external auditors. The individuals responsible for these filings in 2024 are no longer with Human Appeal USA, and every necessary step is being taken to ensure records are both accurate and compliant.
“It is vital to note that funds raised for humanitarian projects have always been directed to those projects. Our commitment to our beneficiaries is unwavering, and in our 35 years of operation, Human Appeal has never failed to deliver donations to those in need.
“Regarding the influencer partnership, Human Appeal USA signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which stipulated that influencer commission fees would be donated in full to a designated university research lab. Human Appeal USA were assured that this lab’s work is focused on combating Islamophobia — a cause that serves the public interest. To ensure full compliance and transparency, Human Appeal USA are pausing and reviewing this MOU with Khaled Baydoun to confirm all his fees were donated as agreed.
“Human Appeal is recognized by international agencies as one of the leading NGOs operating on the ground in Gaza. Since 2016, we have worked continuously in Gaza across food, medical, WASH, and education sectors. During the current emergency, we have supported the delivery of drinking water and served over 10 million hot meals across Gaza. Our commitment is personal and profound: Our staff are working daily in Gaza, and in 2025, we tragically lost three of our aid workers while they were serving vulnerable communities.
“We urge all parties to refrain from spreading misinformation about Human Appeal. We are one of the few charities still operating inside Gaza in the face of enormous challenges.
“Reckless claims — such as suggestions that our Gaza work is ‘AI-generated’ — are categorically false and undermine humanitarian relief efforts. Our teams are on the ground every day, and their dedication and sacrifice speak for themselves.
“This matter is being addressed with the utmost seriousness, and Human Appeal remains steadfast in our mission to deliver aid with integrity, compassion, and compliance with the highest humanitarian standards. Thank you for your continued support and understanding.”
Khaled Beydoun statement
Charity experts dismayed
5Pillars spoke to a number of charity industry experts who told us that the high percentage paid to Beydoun falls short of ethical standards for transparency and donor expectations, particularly in appeals tied to urgent humanitarian causes such as Gaza relief.
They emphasised that while charities must incur costs to raise funds — a legitimate and necessary expense — a balance is required to ensure the vast majority of donations reach intended beneficiaries.
In this case, they told us that Human Appeal USA did not adequately disclose to donors that a substantial portion of contributions might support external fundraising efforts or other organisations, even if those causes are deemed praiseworthy.
The experts told us that there must be stricter guidelines on influencer and professional fundraiser involvement in charitable appeals, stressing that charities — unlike businesses —should prioritise mission over profit-driven models.
While every charity spends to raise funds, excessive or unclear allocations risk eroding public trust in the sector.
Human Appeal
Human Appeal USA is affiliated to Human Appeal, a British‑registered international humanitarian and development charity founded in Manchester in 1991.
The organisation works in more than 30 countries to provide emergency relief, sustainable development, healthcare, education, food security, clean water, and orphan sponsorship, delivering life‑saving aid to vulnerable communities affected by conflict, poverty and disaster.
In the financial year ending December 31 2024, Human Appeal reported a total income of £90.25 million, with £86.4 million from donations and legacies, according to Charity Commission filings. Total expenditure in the same period was £83.25 million, reflecting substantial support for its global programmes.
Human Appeal emphasises that donations are directed toward emergency aid, long‑term development, and community empowerment projects. According to its own public reports, around 83–84 per cent of each £1 donated is spent on poverty‑fighting programmes, with the remainder covering administrative and fundraising costs.
Human Appeal USA is a separate nonprofit organisation registered in the United States, operating from Mission Viejo, California, and implementing international relief and development initiatives. According to recent IRS data, Human Appeal USA reported revenue of $35.4 million in 2024 and expenses of $27.9 million, with total assets of $13.6 million.
Though they are independent legal entities under UK and US law, Human Appeal UK and Human Appeal USA are affiliated in practice through shared mission and leadership. Both operate under the same branding and coordinate on global fundraising and humanitarian campaigns.
Dr Mohamed Ashmawey serves as Chief Executive Officer of both Human Appeal UK and Human Appeal USA, providing strategic leadership across the organisations.
Who is Khaled Beydoun?
Khaled Beydoun is an American legal scholar, author, and commentator widely recognised for his work on civil rights, Islamophobia, and discrimination law.
He currently serves as a faculty member at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University and has previously been affiliated with the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
Beydoun’s academic focus includes civil liberties, religious freedom, and protections for minority communities.
In addition to his legal scholarship, Beydoun has been actively involved in humanitarian fundraising initiatives. He has organised multiple campaigns on the crowdfunding platform LaunchGood on behalf of Human Appeal USA, a U.S.-based humanitarian charity.
Among these campaigns are:
- Emergency Aid for Pakistan with Khaled Beydoun, which raised $14,031 to provide food, water, and hygiene support for vulnerable communities in Pakistan.
- Khaled Beydoun for Yemen, which raised $1,765,570 to support emergency relief in Yemen, including food parcels and child sponsorship programs.
- Zakat for Gaza & Yemen: Emergency Aid with Khaled Beydoun, which raised $2,509,325 for emergency humanitarian aid in Gaza and Yemen, supporting water, food, and other essential services.
Beydoun is also a published author and commentator on issues affecting Muslim communities, frequently contributing to national and international media on topics such as Islamophobia, civil liberties and social justice.
He has participated in academic conferences, public lectures, and charity events, highlighting the intersection of law, religion, and humanitarian advocacy.
