Empowering teachers and students for a brighter future.
Supporting education and innovation.
Joe W. Thompson III founded the Abu Ibn Masud Ibn Muhammad Trust with a deeply
personal mission: to break the cycles of poverty and limited opportunity he witnessed
throughout his life in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Having seen first hand how lack of access to education, economic opportunities, and
community resources can trap families across generations, Joe is committed to creating
pathways to prosperity for those who face similar barriers. He understands that sustainable
change requires more than temporary assistance—it requires investing in people’s potential
through education, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment.
Through the Trust, Joe works to ensure that zip code, background, or circumstances don’t
determine destiny. His approach combines strategic investment in community development
with direct support for individuals ready to transform their lives. For Joe, this work isn’t
charity—it’s justice, dignity, and the fulfillment of our shared responsibility to lift as we
climb.
Materials for Learning
Scholarship programs for low-income students After-school tutoring and mentorship STEM education initiatives College and career readiness programs Adult education and literacy programs
Continuing Education for Teachers
Job training and workforce development Small business incubators and entrepreneurship support Microloans and financial literacy education Career counseling and placement services Skills training in high-demand industries
Support for Communities
Education happens within the context of a larger community. Our approach extends beyond the school to help ensure students have the necessary support to do their best learning.
“With the support from Abu Ibn Masud Ibn Muhammad Trust we can change lives
— Founder Joe Willie Thompson III
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
support@ibnmasudtrust.net
Phone
(855)-395-6402