History of Shifa Foundation dates back to 1997, when a group of 10 volunteers got together to help the needy under the umbrella of Islamic Society of Greater Houston. These volunteers provided free medical care, computer literacy classes and legal consultations on weekends in a small 10' X 10' room in Southwest Houston. Later as more volunteers joined in, Houston Shifa Services Foundation was incorporated in 2002 and in the same year it was recognized by IRS as a 501 (C) non-profit community services organization. Shifa Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors that consists of 12 members who have expertise in various professional and management fields.

With the help of more than 160 volunteers including 55 specialist doctors, Shifa Foundation is currently operating 4 clinics in Houston. these clinics provide free outpatient medical care to the needs from all communities. So far SHIFA has provided services almost worth 2.5 to 3 million dollars.

In 2007 City of Houston awarded a total of $800,000 to Shifa Foundation as a matching grant for the construction of its new Shifa Center in Southwest Houston and Kelsy Seybold Clinic has donated equipment and furnishings for the clinic area of this center. Honorable Bill White, Mayor City of Houston performed the opening ceremony of this center.

Shifa Foundation is a 501 (C) non-profit organization. In addition to free healthcare facilities, we provide social services including legal consultations, education, family crises intervention, Ex-Offender rehabilitation, senior citizen support and low income housing. City of Houston has recognized Shifa Foundation as a Community Housing Development Organization for construction of low income housing. Shifa Foundation has two centers for adult and child education an has partnered with Masjid Taleem to operate a rehab center for Ex-Offenders.

Excluding grants for the construction projects, Shifa Foundation depends on donations for all its remaining operating expenses and a major portion of these operations is donated by Shifa Foundation volunteers. Shifa Foundation operations have remarkably superb cost benefit ratio because, at present, Shifa Foundation has only two paid employees that provide secretarial services at Shifa Head office while all remaining work is managed and performed by non-paid volunteers.