National Zakat Foundation (nzf)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £8.23 million (2024)
• Total Income: £10.17 million (2024)
• Decision Time: 2-4 weeks
• Grant Range: £280 - £2,780 (individual grants vary by programme)
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom
• Applications: Rolling basis, online portal

Contact Details

• Website: www.nzf.org.uk
• Email: finance@nzf.org.uk
• Phone: 0333 123 3123
• Charity Number: 1153719

Overview

Founded in 2011, the National Zakat Foundation (NZF) is the largest distributor of Zakat in the UK, having allocated more than £28 million to support 43,000 people with housing, job training, education, and emergency relief. With total income of £10.17 million and charitable expenditure of £8.23 million (2024), NZF enables local Muslims to connect their Zakat to those who need it across the UK. The organization operates on the Islamic principle that Zakat should be localized, circulating wealth within communities. NZF has been recognized for innovation, reducing wait times for aid disbursement by 80% through Microsoft automation technology. The charity is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and has established itself as a trusted institution for both givers and recipients of Zakat.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

NZF operates three main grant streams, all available on a rolling basis through their online application portal:

1. Hardship Relief Fund

• Grant Amount: £280 to £1,870 (based on family size)
• Purpose: Cash grants for monthly expenses including food and clothing for vulnerable Muslims unable to afford basic living costs
• Application: Online, rolling basis

2. Housing Fund

• Rent/Council Tax Arrears: Up to £2,500 (£1,000 for private landlords, paid directly to provider)
• Furniture/Moving-in Costs: £350 to £2,780
• Purpose: Support for housing-related costs to ensure safe, affordable, liveable accommodation
• Application: Online, rolling basis

3. Empowerment Programme

• Grant Amount: Varies by programme partner
• Purpose: Grants and tailored support to help individuals gain skills, qualifications, and employment opportunities to break the cycle of poverty
• Partners include: Association of Muslim Schools QTS, Markfield Institute Muslim Chaplaincy, Holt Green Training (CSCS Construction Cards), New Citizens Gateway (Overseas English Test), FareShare Midlands (Forklift Driving), British Refugee Council (First Steps to Work)
• Application: Through partner organizations

Priority Areas

NZF focuses on supporting:

• Muslims in the UK facing financial hardship and unable to afford basic living costs
• Individuals lacking skills or qualifications for employment
• NEETs (Not in Education, Employment, or Training)
• Refugees and asylum seekers with legal status
• Women facing barriers to employment
• University graduates lacking professional resources
• Families struggling with housing costs or living in unsafe accommodation

What They Don't Fund

• Full-time students or those on student/work visas
• Individuals without legal status in the UK
• Applications from those under 18 years old
• Individuals who have received support from NZF within the past year (only one successful application per person per year)
• Those who do not meet Zakat eligibility criteria
• Government-funded projects or organizations

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Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

Chief Executive: Dr. Sohail Hanif (appointed November 2021)

Dr. Hanif brings expertise in Islamic law, having studied extensively with traditional scholars and holds a PhD from Oxford University. His PhD thesis on Islamic legal epistemology won the 2019 prize of the British Association for Islamic Studies. On the importance of Zakat, Dr. Hanif states: "Zakat means purification and growth, and we believe our wealth is not all ours. It is a trust from God and part of that trust is that he has placed rights in wealth... If the wealth isn't given out it's as if it's polluted, but when it is given out it's like the wealth is cleansed."

Chairman: Sultan Choudhury

A trustee since NZF's formation, Sultan Choudhury has over 27 years' experience within the professional and financial sector. He is prominently known for founding the UK's first Islamic Bank (Al Rayan Bank), where he served as CEO and Director for 9 years until 2019.

Director of Operations: Shakil Sidat

Brings over 13 years of expertise from the international development and charity sector.

Chief Shariah Officer: Mufti Amjad M. Mohammed

Conducts monthly Shariah and Quality audits of NZF UK to ensure compliance with Islamic principles.

The charity is governed by 4 trustees who receive no remuneration, supported by 35 employees and 9 volunteers.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Requirements:

• Own email address
• Mobile phone number
• Device able to connect to the internet
• Must be Muslim, over 18, with legal status in the UK

Required Documents:

• Photo ID
• Proof of address
• 3 months of recent bank statements (all accounts)
• Universal Credit statement (if applicable)
• Tenancy agreement/rent statement (for housing grants)

Application Method:

• Online application through www.nzf.org.uk
• Rolling basis (no fixed deadlines)
• Applications processed as received

Decision Timeline

1. Initial Review: Applicants are informed whether their application has been selected for processing within 4 weeks
2. Final Decision: Applicants will hear back within 2-4 weeks of application
3. Document Completion: If any information is missing, applicants have 14 days to provide it
4. Notification: Email notification sent to all applicants

NZF prioritizes applications based on financial status and social indicators, focusing on the most vulnerable applicants.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, NZF processes applications on a prioritization basis, selecting the most vulnerable applicants for support. Due to high demand, not all applicants can be supported, and those not selected are notified within 2-4 weeks.

Reapplication Policy

• One application per year: Due to demand and fairness concerns, NZF can only support one successful application per person per year
• Unsuccessful applicants: Can reapply if circumstances change or in subsequent years
• No waiting period: If not selected for support, applicants can reapply when needed

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from NZF

NZF emphasizes providing complete documentation to avoid delays. As their application guidance states: “Once you have sent your application, the team will make sure that you have given all the information and documents needed to process your application. If there is anything you have missed, you will be asked to send it within 14 days.”

Alignment with NZF Values

Dr. Sohail Hanif emphasizes the community-focused nature of Zakat: “What is the point of three million Muslims if Ayesha has to sleep on the streets?” and describes Zakat as “solidarity in action.” Applications that demonstrate genuine need and connection to the local Muslim community align well with NZF's mission.

Key Success Factors

1. Zakat Eligibility: Ensure you meet Islamic criteria for receiving Zakat by honestly assessing your financial situation (monthly income, expenses, and assets)
2. Complete Documentation: Provide all required documents upfront, particularly comprehensive bank statements showing your financial position
3. Clear Need Demonstration: Show genuine financial hardship through evidence of income versus expenses
4. Legal Status: Must have legal status in the UK - this is a strict requirement
5. Appropriate Programme: Apply to the right programme (Hardship Relief vs Housing vs Empowerment) based on your specific need
6. Timely Response: If asked for additional information, respond within the 14-day window

Language and Terminology

NZF uses Islamic terminology naturally throughout their materials:

• Emphasizes Zakat as a “right” rather than charity
• Focuses on “purification and growth” of wealth
• Describes recipients as having “rights over” givers
• Uses terms like “solidarity,” “community,” and “localized support”

Applications that demonstrate understanding of Zakat as a fundamental pillar of Islamic practice rather than simple charity may resonate well.

What Makes Applications Stand Out

• Vulnerability indicators: Single parents, refugees, those with disabilities, or those facing multiple barriers
• Empowerment potential: For the Empowerment Programme, demonstrate readiness to gain skills and pursue employment
• Local connection: Being part of the UK Muslim community
• Transparency: Honest disclosure of financial situation including all income and assets

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Rolling applications mean no rush: Apply when ready with complete documentation rather than rushing to meet a deadline
• One chance per year: Make your application count by ensuring all information is accurate and complete - you can only receive one successful grant per year
• Prioritization matters: NZF serves the most vulnerable first, so clearly demonstrate the severity of your need
• Localized mission: NZF believes strongly in keeping Zakat within UK communities - emphasize your connection to the local Muslim community
• Quick decisions: With 2-4 week turnaround times, you'll know quickly whether you've been selected for support
• Technology-enabled: NZF uses advanced automation to process applications faster - ensure your online application is complete to benefit from this efficiency
• Empowerment over dependency: NZF values long-term solutions - their Empowerment Programme reflects a commitment to helping people achieve financial independence
• Trust and transparency: As the UK's largest Zakat distributor with Fundraising Regulator registration, NZF has established credibility - applications should demonstrate equal transparency

References

1. National Zakat Foundation official website - www.nzf.org.uk
2. Charity Commission Register - National Zakat Foundation charity number 1153719, financial year ending 31 December 2024 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5038187
3. NZF Hardship Relief and Housing Fund application page - https://nzf.org.uk/apply/hardship-relief-and-housing/
4. NZF Empowerment Programme page - https://nzf.org.uk/apply/empowerment-fund/
5. "Sohail Hanif: 'If the wealth isn't given out it's as if it's polluted'" - Hyphen Online, February 28, 2025 - https://hyphenonline.com/2025/02/28/national-zakat-foundation-sohail-hanif-ramadan-donating-giving-islam-charity/
6. “National Zakat Foundation reaches Muslims in need 80% faster with Microsoft automation” - Microsoft Customer Stories - https://www.microsoft.com/en/customers/story/23068-national-zakat-foundation-microsoft-copilot-studio
7. "Announcing National Zakat Foundation's New Chief Executive, Chair and Trustee" - NZF News - https://nzf.org.uk/news/changes
8. NZF Apply for Zakat eligibility page - https://nzf.org.uk/apply-for-zakat/