Wondering which Muslim charities you can trust with your zakat? I’ve compiled this list of the top 10 most reputable Islamic charities that accept zakat, an important pillar of the Islamic faith.
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If you’re overwhelmed by the number of Muslim charities and wondering which one you should give zakat to this Ramadan, I’m here to help. In this article, I’ll list the top 10 most trustworthy Islamic charity organizations accepting zakat – and using it to make a profound impact.
More than 9.2 million people across 33 countries have already benefited from zakat and sadaqah since 2017.
Check out these top 10 Islamic charity organizations using Donorbox to make it easy for the ummah to give zakat during the Holy Month.
Qalam Institute is an Islamic educational facility and masjid based in Texas.
Since 2009, Qalam has been providing access to Islamic knowledge through workshops, seminars, online programs, and more.
It has also established the Qalam Seminary, which strives to create educated Muslims and community leaders through education, spiritual development, and fellowship.
By donating zakat to this Muslim charity, you’ll help support and sponsor accepted Seminary students eligible to receive zakat. Qalam doesn’t use zakat for operational or institutional costs – instead, your zakat will allow deserving students to earn an Islamic education. Zakat funds are also distributed to vetted and approved relief organizations.
See how Qalam uses Donorbox’s powerful multi-step donation form to help Muslims give zakat faithfully online:
Islamic Ummah Relief (IUR) is an Islamic charity organization that has helped provide relief for more than 300,000 beneficiaries. This Muslim charity focuses on humanitarian and relief activities in the U.S., Ghana, Nigeria, Niger, and Uganda by creating long-term developmental programs.
Their focus areas include:
These developmental programs help provide sustainable living conditions for poor communities, needy widows, and orphans.
Give zakat to the IUR by visiting their zakat donation page. Your zakat will be used to help vulnerable people living in Africa.
Established in 1982, the Muslim Community of Knoxville provides religious, social, and educational services that enable the ummah to fulfill its responsibilities, while contributing to American society and Knoxville.
They run various programs and community initiatives, including assistance with free medical care and food support. They also offer social services, like counseling, homeless help, and elderly care, and assist homeless women who lack basic living essentials.
This is a good option if you’re looking for some of the best Islamic charities in the U.S.
Give zakat by visiting their dedicated donation page.
Sahaba Initiative was born from a humble group of students who initiated a food drive for the homeless in 2009.
They have since become a fundamental Muslim charity based in California, providing a host of programs and services to the needy. These include mental health services, a Food and Wellness Center, Emergency Financial Assistance, and Refugee Support Services.
Their programs and services aim to create healthier communities by providing medical care, housing, food, education, and mentorship.
You can donate zakat to this Islamic charity organization by visiting their zakat donation page.
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The Muslim American Community Association (MACA) is an Islamic charity facilitating religious development and social, educational, and cultural enrichment. Their offerings are based on the principles and teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah.
MACA was established in 2001. Its Voorhees Islamic Center serves communities in South Jersey on the principles of peace and unity.
MACA supports the local community through educational programs that foster Islamic knowledge. They also host community-wide events that encourage connection, interfaith dialogue, and social activities.
Zakat funds are distributed year-round to zakat-eligible recipients, including the poor, needy, and new Muslims, following Islamic guidelines. MACA has a dedicated committee that identifies deserving individuals to ensure your zakat goes to those most in need.
You can visit their donation page to give zakat faithfully.
The Majlis strives to develop and foster safe spaces for the ummah to practice and learn about Islam. This Muslim charity organization focuses primarily on religious education, spiritual refinement, fellowship, and service.
They have various programs that enable people of all ages to connect and grow spiritually through regular classes, gatherings, and events. Their Circles of S.U.H.B.A.H. program allows peers to receive support and grow by studying religious materials, having a safe space to practice Islam, and putting lessons into real-life practice.
This Muslim charity also offers two Islamic study programs available through The Majlis Seminary. These programs aim to provide a knowledge base for pursuing Islamic Studies and build Arabic fluency and foundational sciences, respectively.
Give zakat to The Majlis via its Donorbox-hosted donation page.
The Al-Medina Education Center (MEC) was established in 2009 and is based in Newark, California. They provide spiritual, social, and educational services to the local ummah and communities abroad.
This Islamic charity runs its Al Qamar Academy, which offers Islamic teachings to students of all ages. It also offers food distribution services and professional development courses.
Support this masjid by donating zakat towards its operation, which offers scholarship programs and educational facilities.
Here is their donation page, hosted on Donorbox. Simply indicate your donation amount and frequency, and select “zakat” from the dropdown, as shown below:
Founded in 1989, Majlis Ash-Shura of New York is an umbrella Islamic charity organization for over 90 mosques and organizations. It represents and advocates for Muslims in New York and beyond. They have served more than 750,000 people to date.
It also empowers the Muslim community by investing in initiatives across youth and education, women’s leadership, socio-economic development, and social and racial justice.
Pay your zakat by visiting their website.
The Michigan Islamic Institute was founded in 2013 as a full-time nonprofit school. It offers two separate Islamic curricula, alongside in-classroom secular learning for grades 5-12.
Their academic programs meet the Michigan State Curriculum and Standards. This Islamic charity also provides students with SAT prep resources and practice. Their vision includes providing opportunities for students to acquire a quality education.
Support from the ummah helps fund this Muslim charity’s educational programs, ensuring it can provide resources to students and community members.
Visit their donation page to give zakat.
Founded in 1976, the Southend Mosque caters to the spiritual, religious, and communal needs of local Muslims in the United Kingdom. They do this through the nurturing of Islamic faith and values, and serving the local community through charity, worship, education, outreach, and civic engagement.
The mosque runs its Scouts program at the Southend Masjid, which provides nearly half a million 4- to 25-year-olds with skills for school, college, university, and the world of work.
This is one of the reputable Muslim charities providing children and adults with Islamic education. It also runs community-wide events to drive religious and cultural knowledge.
Southend Mosque also has an iCare food hub and distributes gift hampers to local service providers, like fire stations.
You can give zakat to this Muslim charity and indicate whether it forms part of the U.K. Gift Aid using their Donorbox donation form:
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As one of the five pillars of Islam, zakat is a form of sadaqah (charity) to help those in need. If you practice Islam, then you are obligated to give zakat.
If your wealth exceeds the nisab threshold within one lunar year, you must pay zakat. The nisab threshold is the total wealth you have before giving zakat. You must give away 2.5% of your excess to the needy if your wealth exceeds the nisab based on the market value of gold (87.48 grams).
Your zakat is accepted by many Muslim charities and can have a powerful impact by helping the needy.
Calculate the value of zakat you owe with the following steps:
Once you have these numbers, use this convenient zakat calculator to determine how much zakat to give.
Bonus Resource: Watch this short video that explores effective strategies Islamic charities can use to make giving zakat easy and transparent.
With so many incredible Islamic charities out there, I hope this article has helped you decide where to give your zakat faithfully.
If you’re an Islamic charity collecting zakat, simplify the giving experience for the ummah with Donorbox’s robust donation forms. Donorbox also offers other intuitive online and in-person fundraising features to help amplify your Islamic fundraising efforts.
If you haven’t already, sign up today to ensure the ummah can give to your Muslim charity or masjid effortlessly.
For free fundraising ideas and resources, visit Donorbox’s Nonprofit Blog, YouTube Channel, and Donorbox Library.
Jamy-Lee has over 7 years of experience in copywriting and content marketing. With experience teaching in underserved communities and volunteering for animal rescue organizations, she has a first-hand understanding of the challenges faced by mission-driven organizations. She now uses her passion for writing to share practical insights that help nonprofits fulfill their missions.
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