Our mission is to be the unifying federation of Islamic organizations of greater Chicagoland, the leading advocate of Muslim community interests and a catalyst for enriching American society.
Join us for a live webinar with guest speaker Abdullah Mitchell. This informative session will prepare you for the challenge. We will discuss the NEW rules & regulations of the challenge and a host Q & A session towards the end.
Registration Opens: September 18,2022 | Deadline: October 1, 2022
Register on our website after receiving approval from your Masjid or organization leadership. Be sure to upload your 30-second proposal video along with the application provided at registration.
Deadline: October 8, 2022
Send us 3 facts or statistics related to your project. The submission can be in the form of a graphic, PDF, presentation or word document. Submit your facts through our website.
Deadline: October 15, 2022
Send us a 60-second vlog telling us about your project and how you will address social justice. Make sure you state the problem and YOUR solution! Submit your video through our website.
Deadline: October 22, 2022
Submit your final proposal video on ciogc.org/SJSC along with a description of the project, your experience and budget breakdown.
Deadline: October 27, 2022
This is your chance to get your community to vote for you! Share your project on social media. Make sure to tag us:
/ciogccommunity /ciogchicago /ciogc
with the hashtag #AllInCiogc and #SocialJusticeServiceChallenge
Join us for a virtual award ceremony celebrating your accomplishments and announcing the winners of the Social Justice Service Challenge 2022. Details about the event will be shared closer to the day.
A: This is an opportunity for your masjid to create meaningful changes in society. Consider
what types of efforts might be necessary beyond direct service to lessen the problems you are
witnessing firsthand. As you address the need, consider focusing your efforts on the injustice
that has created the need for service in the first place.
For more inspiration and guidance, please read this article on Islam and Social Justice.
A: Research has validated that inequality causes a wide range of health and social problems, from reduced life expectancy and higher infant mortality to poor educational attainment, lower social mobility and increased levels of violence and mental illness, and inequities. Rising inflation and lingering effects of the COVID pandemic tend to further intensify existing disparities experienced by the poor and needy.
A: Instead of completing the project during the contest period, applicants will prepare a funding application and a video presentation. As in the past, the video presentation will be aired on our YouTube channel for community members to vote for the three best projects. The Selection Committee will determine the winning proposals based upon the content of your application, your video/PowerPoint presentation, and the voting results of community members. Preference will be given to a proposal where a member of the targeted population is a part of the management team for the proposal. The decision of the selection committee is final. The proposal will commence after the winners are selected, and the term for the proposal will be up to six (6) months.
A: Yes! This competition does not require CIOGC membership, though we hope your Masjid will consider joining in the future.
A: No, this challenge is not limited to only youth groups! We encourage diversity in age and interests to apply, as long as the project idea is approved by a masjid in the Chicagoland area.
A: Yes! We encourage Masjid leadership to appoint a Service Project Coordinator to lead
project efforts during the challenge.
A: Yes! We encourage you to collaborate with other masjids, as well as any other interfaith
organizations.
A: Feel free to refer any further questions to contest@ciogc.org
Research has validated that inequality causes a wide range of health and social problems, from reduced life expectancy and higher infant mortality to poor educational attainment, lower social mobility and increased levels of violence and mental illness, and inequities. Rising inflation and lingering effects of the COVID pandemic tend to further intensify existing disparities experienced by the poor and needy.
This year, CIOGC is seeking project proposals that address social inequalities and inequities impacting the poor and needy. Examples include health, wellness, food, housing, education, career development, wage disparity, violence, etc.
The CIOGC Social Justice Challenge is an annual Illinois-wide competition hosted by the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (and sponsored by Zakat Chicago, a CIOGC committee) where mosques & organizations produce projects that solve or impact a zakat-eligible social issue. It is a 4-week long challenge that results in grand prize winners at the culmination of the Challenge. The Challenge was created in 2020 to unite places of worship on one central mission for a short period of time and to emphasize service.
Registration is by application only.
The Council Of Islamic Organizations OF Greater Chicago is an independent, nonpartisan organization.