ACCESS Deputy Executive Director Maha Freij will be honored this month in Washington by the American Task Force for Palestine (ATFP) for the key role she played in raising funds to create the nation’s only Arab American National Museum.

Each year, ATFP honors the contributions of Palestinian Americans who have enriched their community and provided great service or unique achievement in the United States. Freij will receive the ATFP Award for Distinguished Service in Philanthropy on Oct. 19 at the organization’s sixth annual gala at the Ritz Carlton in Washington.

Freij spearheaded the campaign to raise $18 million to build the Arab American National Museum, a Smithsonian-affiliated showpiece spotlighting the contributions, cultures and history of Arab Americans.

In addition to her role as deputy executive director, Freij is also CFO of ACCESS.

Among her many multi-million dollar initiatives, she raised $4 million to build a new ACCESS employment and training center that serves Dearborn and Detroit, regions hard hit by unemployment.

Freij also is the driving force behind the Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP), a project of ACCESS that supports and encourages a culture of philanthropy and strategic giving among Arab Americans through education, asset-building and grant-making.

Freij said she steadfastly believes that philanthropy unites the Arab American community, which is why it’s vital for CAAP to highlight the impact of Arab American giving in broader society. “CAAP empowers individuals to fulfill their philanthropic goals within and beyond the Arab American community,” she said. “By giving through CAAP, donors are leaving a legacy of Arab American philanthropy.”