The “Bonyads” are Iranian charitable Organizations that play a major role in the Iranian non-petrol Economy, controlling approximately 20% of the Iranian GDP
Many critics say that they are distorting the Iranian economy receiving grants, not paying taxes,
or generating corruption
Bonyads were created by the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
Today, there are over hundred Bonyads involved in any sector of the Iranian economy (cotton, tourism, soft drinks or
Shipping companies)
The largest Bonyad, “Bonyad-e Mostazafen va Janbazan,” controls 20% of the textile manufacturing, 40% of soft drinks, 66% of glass products, tiles, chemicals
Almost all the cities in Iran have its Bonyad, affiliated with local mullahs
The Mostazafen Foundation of Islamic Revolution, formerly “Bonyad-e Mostazafen going Janbazan”, is the largest Iranian organization of social assistance, a semi-public foundation originally founded in 1979
with the assets nationalization of the family of the last Shah, who operates a wide variety of charitable activities
The Mostazafen Foundation of Islamic Revolution allocates fifty percent of its profits to the provision of aid to the needy. With
more than 200,000 employees, the Foundation controls more than 350
affiliated companies, like Zamzam-Cola
The foundation also controls large engineering projects