CHICAGO – A Chicago-based Muslim foundation has given a total of $625,000 to roughly two dozen organizations nationwide to improve Muslim life, The Fresno Bee reported.

“These 26 organizations are strengthening communities across the country through political and legal advocacy, health and wellness, research, storytelling, and leadership development,” Pillars Fund wrote on its website.

The new recipient non-profit groups in nine states and the District of Columbia were announced in a statement on Tuesday.

Recipients include a Chicago project that aims to raise awareness about companies profiting from or promoting anti-Muslim policies, a New York-based effort to create an in-depth television documentary series on the entire history of US Muslims, and an Ann Arbor, Michigan, organization working to create understandings of black American Muslims.

Pillars was launched in 2010 to bridge the gap between well-heeled donors and American Muslims “doing interesting work.”

It started under the umbrella of The Chicago Community Trust before becoming an independent organization now with a $1.5 million budget.

Big names in philanthropy serve as advisers, including the Trust President and CEO Terry Mazany, Field Foundation President Angelique Power and Woods Fund Chicago President Grace Hou.

“Since our inception in 2010, we have been working hard to identify and invest in projects that are uplifting American Muslims. This task has only gotten more difficult because our communities are more active than ever,” the organization wrote.