The Azraq Education and Community Fund

What The Azraq Education and Community Fund does

The Azraq Education and Community Fund (AECF) is a US-incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Tax ID 47-4547136) founded in 2015 by Lexi Shereshewsky and originally named The Syria Fund before rebranding in 2020. It is headquartered in New York with operations centered on the Azraq Education Center in South Azraq, Jordan, approximately 65 miles northeast of Amman. Its mission is to deliver education initiatives and humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees and other vulnerable families in that community.

The organization's core product is a portfolio of in-person programs delivered at the Azraq Education Center — a permanent 10-classroom facility opened in Fall 2021 that includes a Montessori Pre-K room, IT lab, library, kitchen, and outdoor space. Programs span early childhood (Montessori-inspired Pre-K for ages 3-5 with 60 children and 6 teachers), primary and secondary education (literacy, STEM via Amideast SPARK, English proficiency), high-school exit exam (Tawjihi) test prep, the Songs for Syrians music program, and adult/women's literacy classes. Humanitarian offerings include food box distributions at ~$30 per family, Ramadan iftars, hygiene workshops, and emergency relief, reaching 190+ families during Ramadan.

Revenue is 100% donor-supported and split across individual one-time and monthly recurring donations, corporate matching gift programs, and foundation grants (Blossom Hill Foundation, Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, EA-HR, World Vision, Amideast, and others). The organization reports an 85% program / 15% management and fundraising spend ratio. GTM is direct-to-beneficiary via the single Jordanian site, with donor engagement driven through Instagram, Facebook, website/blog content, email newsletters, earned media (Al Jazeera, Jordan Times, Globe and Mail, Business Insider, Toronto Star), corporate matching, and student ambassador cohorts. No mobile app or technology product is offered.

Name

The Azraq Education and Community Fund

Legal name

The Azraq Education and Community Fund, Inc.

Website

https://theazraqfund.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Azraq Education and Community Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the Azraq Education Center in South Azraq, Jordan, delivering Montessori Pre-K, literacy, STEM, music, Tawjihi test prep, and food aid to 400+ Syrian refugee and vulnerable Jordanian students, funded by individual, corporate, and foundation donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Education and Humanitarian Aid Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery (EDADALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Newcomer & Refugee Student Support Programs (EDAJAGAH), Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI), Refugee, Crisis & Humanitarian Education Partnerships (EiE) (EDADALAG), Emergency Education / Education in Emergencies (EiE) (BPADADAN)

Keywords

• Refugee education services
• Humanitarian aid programs
• Early childhood education
• Emergency food assistance
• Community literacy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals supporting refugee education and humanitarian aid programs
2. Corporate Matching: Corporate matching gift programs where employers match employee donations to maximize impact
3. Foundation Grants: Funding from foundations including Blossom Hill Foundation, Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, and others for specific programs
4. 85% to Programs: 85% of funds go directly to local programs, 15% to management and fundraising

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Azraq Education and Community Fund delivers direct education and humanitarian aid services to Syrian refugee and vulnerable Jordanian children and families in South Azraq, Jordan, through the Azraq Education Center — a 10-classroom facility offering Montessori-inspired Pre-K, primary and secondary education, literacy programs, STEM, music enrichment, and adult women's literacy. The organization also distributes emergency food boxes, hygiene kits, and seasonal aid to refugee families.

Product overview

The Azraq Education and Community Fund (AECF) operates as a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of education and humanitarian aid programs, not a unified technology product. Its core offerings include The Azraq Center (a comprehensive education facility serving 300+ students with 10 classrooms, IT lab, library, and Montessori Pre-K room), the Montessori-Inspired Pre-K Program (ages 3-5), Emergency Aid distributions, Youth in STEM, English Proficiency Enhancement, Tawjihi Test Prep, Songs for Syrians music education, and Women's Literacy classes. These programs work together to provide holistic support to Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanian families in South Azraq, Jordan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 400+ Syrian students served
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Abdul Hameed Shoman FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Renewed partnership under project 'Strengthening Reading Culture to Build an Aware and Empowered Generation.' Supports literacy programs including Adult Literacy, Reading with Mothers Program, and Reading Clubs in Arabic and English. Also funding for library enhancement initiative.
• Blossom Hill FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Supported launch of first Montessori-inspired Early Education Room at The Azraq Center in September 2019. Expanded to second class in February 2020, now hosting 60 children ages 3-5 with 6 teachers.
• Voices of the ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for poetry and ceramics workshops. Students created original poems and participated in Micro Programs. Exchange programs with students in the US.
• Paper AirplanesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirtual exchange program partner providing remote learning connections for students.
• AmideastcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPARK initiative using LEGO Education sets to introduce young Jordanian females in grade 8 to STEM. 180 Jordanian girls from Azraq benefited from the program.
• Middle East Children's Institute (MECI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on remedial education and psychosocial support curriculum. Partner for education programs in Sahab, Jordan and at White Hands Schools reaching hundreds of students.
• S'Cool SoundscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic education program (Songs for Syrians) bringing music instruction to refugee children. Led by Nina Stern with recorder, percussion, and singing instruction.
• World VisionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on multi-session remote hygiene workshop with Nachmyat Eastern Badia Cooperative. Focused on hand washing, general hygiene, and Covid-19 protection.
• SYE InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted webinar on 'Education & The Syria Crisis: 10 Years On' panel discussion.
• Full Court PeaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBasketball clinic partner providing coaching and sports programming for students.
• Emergency Architecture and Human Rights (EA-HR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean-based NGO that built new campus for The Azraq School with 100 classrooms for refugee children. Constructed Campus B less than a mile from original school with 4 classrooms, IT lab, library, kitchen, and sports field.
• Modern Montessori School (MMS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner30+ year old institution in Amman that conducted 180-hour Montessori teacher training for 11 local trainees. Provided Arabic-language Montessori curriculum.
• Knowledge Path LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnder Abdul Hameed Shoman Cultural Foundation, conducted events for children across various age groups with storytelling, artistic activities, and physical challenges.
• Atlantic Humanitarian ReliefminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical staff conduct constant visits to the Azraq Center providing medical support and health assistance.
• Sibelius AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Music Exchange program - students from Finland traveled to Jordan in March 2023 and 2024 to lead collaborative music-making week with children at the AECF education program.
• Care JordanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided support for Ramadan iftar celebrations at the Azraq Center.
• Magic for SmilesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanitarian magic program specialist who visited Azraq Center to perform magic shows for students.
• Nachmyat Eastern Badia CooperativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner in South Azraq for food distribution coordination.
• WeWorkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted fundraising activities at WeWork locations in New York City for refugee awareness and donations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Mercy Corps: Mercy Corps is a large global humanitarian organization with significant Jordan operations including refugee education, youth programming, and food security. Comparable in mission scope but at vastly greater scale and broader geographic mandate than AECF.
• Save the Children Jordan: Save the Children operates education, child protection, and food security programs for Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanian families nationwide. Direct overlap in refugee children education and humanitarian aid delivery, but at much larger scale and broader mandate.
• UNHCR Jordan: UNHCR leads refugee protection and education access for Syrians in Jordan, including cash assistance, school enrollment, and policy advocacy. Comparable on refugee education and humanitarian aid, but as the UN agency rather than a local implementing nonprofit.
• UNICEF Jordan: UNICEF delivers nationwide refugee and host-community education programs in Jordan, including Pre-K, K-12, and adolescent learning initiatives. Comparable in target population and program types, but operates as a UN agency rather than a community-rooted nonprofit.

Regional players

• INJAZ Jordan: INJAZ is a Jordanian nonprofit delivering workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy to Jordanian and refugee youth. Comparable as a Jordan-based education nonprofit, but focuses on secondary-age employability rather than Pre-K and primary education.

Direct peers

• Jusoor: Jusoor is a nonprofit dedicated to Syrian refugee education through scholarship programs, school support, and career development, with a similar mix of K-12 and youth-focused programs. It is one of the most direct comparables given its shared Syrian-refugee education mission and foundation-grant funding model.
• Questscope: Questscope operates in Jordan and other Arab countries running education and youth development programs for refugee and vulnerable Jordanian children. Direct overlap with AECF on refugee K-12 education delivery in Jordan and similar foundation-supported model.
• SAWA for Development and Aid: SAWA is a Jordan-based NGO serving Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians with combined education, food security, and humanitarian aid programs. Highly comparable mission and operating geography to AECF.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/theazraqfund
• Instagraminstagram.com/theazraqfund
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-syria-fund

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Azraq Education and Community Fund