What MY Project USA does

MY Project USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 3275 Sullivant Avenue in Columbus, Ohio, founded in 2014 by Zerqa Abid and self-described as Ohio's largest Muslim-led social services organization. The organization protects and empowers underserved youth and families — particularly in the Hilltop community of west Columbus and adjacent central Ohio areas including Dayton — through a portfolio of programs across food security, healthcare, youth leadership, workforce development, education, and advocacy. Core programs include MY Family Pantry (weekly food distribution to roughly 800 vulnerable families via Mid-Ohio Food Bank partnership), the Hilltop Free Clinic (free primary care and cancer screening for uninsured adults), MY Community Cafe (pay-forward halal cafe providing 100+ free daily meals to youth participants), MY Deah's Global Gifts & Thrift Store, and MY Leaders Lab (leadership development for grades 8-12). Specialized initiatives include MY Reading Warriors (K-9 literacy), MY Pathways (ESL and refugee/immigrant employment support), MY Wellness Warriors, Climate Justice Warriors, Hilltop Youth Garden, and advocacy programs addressing human trafficking and female genital mutilation.

The business model relies entirely on charitable revenue rather than fees for service: donations and monthly recurring gifts (processed via Zeffy), Zakat-eligible contributions serving 6 of the 8 Qur'anic categories, institutional and government grants (notably a $1.2M Ohio Department of Education award in 2022 and ongoing McKesson Foundation support for the cancer screening initiative), earned revenue from social enterprises (cafe, thrift store), and a tiered MYP Social Ventures Partnership that pools philanthropist and impact-investor capital. No proprietary technology underpins delivery — operations run on standard nonprofit SaaS (Wix website, Salsa Labs email, Zeffy donations, Square/Venmo/Zelle payment rails). The organization has 11-50 employees, reports an annual budget of approximately $3 million, claimed $45 million in cumulative community impact over 11 years as of 2024, and serves roughly 72,000 individuals per year.

The go-to-market is community-led: the organization relies on deep grassroots ties across more than 25 collaborating institutions (Columbus City Council, Columbus City Schools, United Way, Mid-Ohio Food Bank, Noor Islamic Cultural Center, local mosques, OSU Muslim Students Association, Simon Kenton Council BSA, Columbus Crew) and a multi-channel presence across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, X, and email to recruit volunteers, donors, and beneficiaries. Financial transparency is published via annual auditor reports from Brady Ware & Schoenfeld alongside full Form 990 filings on the website.

Name

MY Project USA

Legal name

MY Project USA

Website

https://myprojectusa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MY Project USA is a Columbus, Ohio-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects and empowers underserved youth and families — primarily in the Hilltop community — through food distribution, a free healthcare clinic, youth leadership programs, and anti-trafficking and anti-FGM advocacy initiatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (624110), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee, Migration & Displacement Support (BPAGABAH)

Keywords

• Social services nonprofit
• Youth empowerment programs
• Food assistance services
• Community health clinic
• Human trafficking advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization generates revenue primarily through donations from individuals, including general donations and monthly recurring supporters. Donors can contribute via website (Zeffy platform), checks, Zelle, and Venmo.
2. Zakat Contributions: As a Zakat-eligible organization serving 6 of the 8 Qur'anic categories, MY Project USA accepts Zakat (Islamic charitable giving) specifically designated for eligible individuals and initiatives including food, rent, utilities, healthcare, and youth programs.
3. Social Ventures Partnership Membership: The MYP Social Ventures Partnership brings together philanthropists, investors, and community leaders at four membership levels to invest in people and create social impact through scalable and replicable initiatives.
4. Social Enterprise Revenue: Revenue generated from social enterprises including MY Community Cafe (pay-forward cafe with halal food), MY Deah's Global Gifts & Thrift Store, and the MY Iftar Kitchen program.
5. Grants and Government Funding: Funding received from government agencies and foundations including Ohio Department of Education ($1.2M award), The McKesson Foundation (supporting Cancer Screening & Prevention Initiative), and other institutional funders.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

MY Project USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services organization that provides free programs to underserved youth and families in central Ohio, including food distribution (MY Family Pantry, MY Iftar Kitchen), a free healthcare clinic (Hilltop Free Clinic), youth leadership and wellness programs (MY Leaders Lab, MY Wellness Warriors), workforce development for refugees and immigrants (MY Pathways), and advocacy initiatives against human trafficking and FGM. Direct services are supplemented by social enterprises including a pay-forward halal cafe (MY Community Cafe) and a thrift store (MY Deah's Warehouse & Global Gifts & Thrift Store).

Product overview

MY Project USA is a nonprofit social services organization offering a portfolio of programs organized around three pillars: Food Security, Healthcare Access, and Economic Mobility. The core offerings include MY Family Pantry (food distribution), Hilltop Free Clinic (healthcare), MY Community Cafe (social enterprise), MY Deah's Thrift Store, and MY Leaders Lab (youth leadership). These programs are supported by specialized initiatives including MY Reading Warriors, MY Pathways, MY Wellness Warriors, Climate Justice Warriors, Hilltop Youth Garden, and advocacy programs against human trafficking and FGM. The organization operates MYP Social Ventures Partnership for impact investing and runs youth sports programs like Hilltop Tigers Soccer. The programs are delivered through the Hilltop Youth Empowerment Center in Columbus, Ohio, serving underserved youth and families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MY Leaders Lab: Youth leadership program for grades 8-12 focusing on personal growth, community building, and advocacy for underserved communities
• MY Wellness Warriors
• Climate Justice Warriors
• Hilltop Youth Garden
• Hilltop Free Clinic
• MY Family Pantry
• MY Community Cafe
• MY Deah's Global Gifts & Thrift
• MY Reading Warriors
• MY Pathways
• Muslims Against Human Trafficking
• Muslims Against FGM
• Hilltop Tigers
• MYP Social Ventures Partnership

Products and services

• MY Family Pantry Free food distribution program that sorts and packages donations from the Mid-Ohio Food Bank to feed approximately 800 vulnerable families on a weekly basis, serving food-insecure individuals and families in the Hilltop community of Columbus, Ohio. Distribution operates Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 10AM-2PM and Wednesday 3PM-7PM at the Hilltop Youth Empowerment Center.
• Hilltop Free Clinic Free clinic providing preventive screenings, primary care, women's health services, chronic conditions management, and lab services for uninsured and underinsured individuals aged 18 and over in the Hilltop community of Columbus, Ohio. Operates on select Saturdays at 3725 Sullivant Avenue.
• MY Community Cafe Pay-forward cafe serving 100% halal Middle Eastern and Pakistani food at the Hilltop Youth Empowerment Center, with all proceeds supporting MY Project USA's community programs. Provides over 100 free hot meals daily to students participating in youth programs. Open Tuesday-Saturday 11AM-7:30PM.
• MY Deah's Warehouse & Global Gifts & Thrift Store Goodwill-type store providing food, clothing, household items, and furniture to youth and families in need, honoring the legacy of Deah Barakat, Yusor, and Razan Abu-Salha. Operates from a warehouse at 4004 Fondorf Dr., Columbus, OH 43228, with 12 donation drop-off locations across Columbus.
• MY Leaders Lab Comprehensive youth leadership development program for students entering grades 8-12, focusing on personal growth, community building, and advocacy for underserved communities in the Hilltop area of Columbus, Ohio.
• MY Reading Warriors Reading program for grades 1-9 offering reading skills improvement through dedicated teachers using various reading techniques, plus K-12 tutoring services for youth in the Hilltop community.
• MY Pathways Vocational assistance program providing resume building, cover letter writing, career guidance, interview preparation, ESL classes, and professional styling for refugee and immigrant adults and youth in central Ohio.
• MY Wellness Warriors Summer leadership and wellness program for Muslim high school students featuring workshops, mentorship, team-building activities, and culminating in a Youth Wellness Symposium.
• Climate Justice Warriors Youth-led environmental initiative focused on reducing waste, promoting reuse and recycling, and supporting sustainable solutions through hands-on projects and community engagement in the Hilltop area.
• Hilltop Youth Garden Youth-led community garden initiative where participants ages 13-18 learn sustainable gardening, grow fresh produce for local families, and develop leadership skills while contributing to food justice.
• Muslims Against Human Trafficking National initiative providing counseling, awareness campaigns, and support services to trafficking survivors and at-risk youth, led by Founder Zerqa Abid.
• Muslims Against FGM Initiative to end Female Genital Mutilation through community education, open letters to religious leaders, and advocacy against the practice.
• MY Iftar Kitchen Ramadan food distribution initiative providing iftar and sahoor meals to local elderly and families in need during the holy month.
• Hilltop Tigers Soccer Youth soccer program keeping kids away from guns and gangs while promoting teamwork, discipline, and community engagement in the Hilltop area.
• Cancer Screening & Prevention Initiative Summer initiative supported by the McKesson Foundation expanding cancer prevention, education, outreach, and screening services for underserved communities through the Hilltop Free Clinic.
• MYP Social Ventures Partnership Membership program bringing together philanthropists, investors, and community leaders at four membership levels to invest in people and create social impact through scalable and replicable initiatives, supporting MY Project USA's mission and other small nonprofits.
• Freedom Forward Community Circle Community dialogue initiative bringing together city and community leaders with young people to address pressing issues and develop solutions for youth empowerment and violence prevention.

Quantifiable outcome

• $45 million in community impact over 11 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Zerqa Abid - AARP National AwardcoreOthers · 2 August 2022Founder and Executive Director Zerqa Abid received the AARP National Award recognizing outstanding philanthropy and community service.
• Columbus City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernmental partner providing legislative support, funding advocacy, and community collaboration for youth programs and initiatives in the Hilltop area.
• Columbus City SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner supporting youth development programs, school-based initiatives, and student engagement activities.
• United Way of Central OhiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner collaborating on community services, resource allocation, and support for vulnerable families.
• The Salvation Army in Central OhiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterfaith collaboration for community service programs and support for those in need.
• Mid-Ohio Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary food supplier for MY Family Pantry, providing bulk food donations that are sorted and distributed to vulnerable families weekly.
• Noor Islamic Cultural CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMosque partner for community outreach, donation drop-off location, and collaborative events.
• Welcome DaytonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Dayton initiative collaborating on refugee and immigrant support services.
• The Women's Fund of Central OhiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner supporting programs for women and families in central Ohio.
• YWCA DaytonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's services organization collaborating on advocacy and support programs.
• Central Ohio Rescue and RestoreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnti-human trafficking organization collaborating on survivor support and awareness initiatives.
• Muslim Students' Association at The Ohio State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent organization partner supporting youth programs and volunteer engagement.
• Simon Kenton Council, Boy Scouts of AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth development organization with shared mission of serving young people.
• Columbus CrewminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional soccer team that partnered with MY Project USA for community engagement and youth programs.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Islamic Relief USA: National U.S. Muslim humanitarian and Zakat-eligible organization delivering food, refugee, and disaster relief services. Comparable in Zakat-eligible nonprofit positioning, faith-rooted model, and service to refugee/immigrant populations, but at national scale.
• United Way of Central Ohio: Regional funder and convener of social services in central Ohio that collaborates with MY Project USA but operates at far greater scale across many service categories. Directly comparable as a community-impact organization in the same geography.
• Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio: Faith-based multi-service nonprofit operating food pantries, refugee services, and youth programs in central Ohio. Comparable in faith-rooted model, refugee resettlement work, and program breadth.
• Catholic Social Services (Columbus): Faith-based social services organization in central Ohio providing refugee resettlement, family services, and community programs. Directly comparable as a faith-rooted, multi-service nonprofit serving similar populations in the same region.

Direct peers

• Mid-Ohio Food Collective (Mid-Ohio Food Bank): Primary food supplier to MY Project USA's MY Family Pantry and a direct peer in addressing food insecurity in central Ohio. Operates the same food-distribution model targeting the same regional beneficiary base.
• Star House: Columbus-based nonprofit serving youth experiencing homelessness with drop-in services, case management, and housing support. Highly comparable in serving vulnerable central Ohio youth with similar service-delivery model.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus: Youth development organization offering after-school programs, mentorship, and leadership development in the same Columbus geography. Comparable in serving grades 8-12 youth with leadership and life-skill programs.
• Gladden Community House: Long-standing Hilltop and Franklinton community services nonprofit offering youth, family, and food programs in the same Columbus neighborhoods. Directly comparable by geography, mission, and program mix.

Emerging players

• CAIR-Ohio (Council on American-Islamic Relations): Muslim-American civil rights and advocacy organization with Ohio chapter. Comparable in serving the Ohio Muslim-American community through advocacy, education, and direct services, though focused on civil rights rather than direct social services.

Others

• Helping Hands of Goodwill: Goodwill-type retail and workforce development organization in central Ohio that aligns with MY Project USA's MY Deah's Thrift Store and MY Pathways workforce programs. Operates a comparable model combining retail revenue with employment services for vulnerable populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/myprojectusa
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2ffCO1WuGi9v8EgCyei0XA
• Facebookfacebook.com/MYProjectUSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/my-project-usa
• Instagraminstagram.com/myprojectusa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MY Project USA