The Zahra Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £3.66 million (2024 turnover)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: International (10 countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, Kenya, Lebanon, Pakistan, Tanzania, Yemen)

Contact Details

Address: 45 Barnfield Road, Burnt Oak, HA8 0AY, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8452 7565

Email: info@zahratrust.com

Website: www.zahratrust.com

Overview

Established in 2008, The Zahra Trust is a UK-based Islamic charitable endowment that has provided relief and development aid to millions of people across hundreds of communities worldwide. With an annual turnover of £3.66 million (2024), the Trust focuses on three primary areas: Publications, Productions, and Philanthropy. The Charity Commission confirms that grant-making is the Trust's primary method of operation. The organization operates across 10 countries spanning multiple regions from Yemen and Lebanon to Afghanistan and Pakistan. No trustees receive remuneration, and administrative costs for UK operations are covered by Gift Aid and designated administration donations, ensuring general donations go directly to charitable work.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Zahra Trust makes grants to both individuals and organizations, though specific grant programs, amounts, and application processes are not publicly advertised. According to Charity Commission records, the Trust provides:

• Grants to organizations working in humanitarian relief
• Grants to individuals in need
• Financial support for charitable purposes
• Human resources and capacity building
• Buildings, facilities, and infrastructure support
• Direct services delivery
• Advocacy, advice, and information provision
• Research sponsorship

Priority Areas

The Trust's charitable work encompasses:

• Emergency Relief: Rapid response to humanitarian crises (often within 24 hours), including aid to those fleeing violence in Syria, Iraq, and other conflict zones
• Food Aid: Provision of food assistance to vulnerable populations
• Medical Aid: Healthcare support and life-saving medical care
• Education: Educational support and training programs
• Water and Sanitation: Clean water projects and sanitation infrastructure
• Support to Vulnerable Groups: Targeted assistance for orphans, widows, elderly people, people with disabilities, and children/young people
• Housing: Housing support for vulnerable families
• Economic Development: Skills training and sustainable development projects
• Religious Activities: Faith-based support programs

The Trust uses Zakat funds specifically for sustainable development projects that uplift entire communities, fostering long-term change and independence.

Beneficiary Groups

• Children and young people
• Elderly people
• People with disabilities
• Other charities and voluntary bodies
• General public/mankind

Geographic Focus

Currently operating in: Afghanistan, Iraq, Kenya, Lebanon, Pakistan, Tanzania, Yemen, and three additional countries (10 total as of 2024).

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Governance and Leadership

The Zahra Trust operates with a governance structure that ensures accountability and transparency:

• Trustee Remuneration: No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity
• Administrative Efficiency: The charity endeavors to ensure all administrative costs in the UK are covered by Gift Aid and donations designated for administration purposes, not from general donations
• International Structure: The Trust has affiliated organizations including The Zahra Trust USA (a project of the Zahra Foundation Ltd.) and The Zahra Trust Canada as its official Canadian partner

Specific names of current trustees and leadership team members are not prominently featured in public materials, though governance information is filed with the Charity Commission.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Zahra Trust does not operate a public application process for grant funding.

The Trust identifies beneficiaries and partner organizations through its own humanitarian operations, field teams, and trustee discretion. Unlike traditional grant-making foundations with open application portals, The Zahra Trust appears to proactively identify projects and organizations aligned with its charitable objectives through its international field presence.

Organizations interested in potential partnership should contact the Trust directly:

• Email: info@zahratrust.com
• Phone: 020 8452 7565

Getting on Their Radar

The Zahra Trust operates through field teams who respond to humanitarian needs and identify projects on the ground across their 10 operating countries. Their approach emphasizes:

• Direct Field Assessment: The Trust's field teams assess needs directly in communities and respond swiftly to emergencies
• Geographic Presence: Organizations working in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kenya, Lebanon, Pakistan, Tanzania, Yemen, and their other operating countries may be considered
• Alignment with Islamic Charitable Principles: The Trust operates as an Islamic charity and uses Zakat funds for sustainable development
• Humanitarian Focus: Projects addressing emergency relief, food security, medical care, education, water/sanitation, or support for orphans, widows, and vulnerable populations align with their mission

Organizations seeking partnership are advised to make direct contact via info@zahratrust.com to introduce their work and explore potential collaboration opportunities.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. Decisions appear to be made on an ongoing basis by trustees based on identified need rather than fixed grant rounds.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. Given the invitation-only nature of grant-making, traditional success rate metrics do not apply.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

While The Zahra Trust does not accept public applications, organizations seeking to partner with or be considered by the Trust should consider:

Alignment with Core Mission: The Trust's focus on Publications, Productions, and Philanthropy, combined with humanitarian aid delivery, suggests they value organizations that share their charitable objectives and Islamic principles.

Geographic Relevance: Organizations operating in or serving populations within the Trust's 10 target countries will have natural alignment with their geographic priorities.

Humanitarian Impact: The Trust emphasizes rapid emergency response (within 24 hours in crisis situations) and sustainable development. Projects demonstrating both immediate relief and long-term community upliftment align with their approach.

Efficient Use of Resources: The Trust's commitment to ensuring donations go directly to charitable work (with UK admin costs covered separately) suggests they value cost-effective, high-impact interventions.

Support for Vulnerable Groups: Demonstrated focus on children, orphans, widows, elderly people, and people with disabilities aligns with the Trust's stated beneficiary groups.

Sustainable Development: The Trust specifically mentions using Zakat for “sustainable development projects that uplift entire communities, fostering long-term change and independence,” indicating preference for projects with lasting impact rather than one-time interventions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: The Zahra Trust does not accept unsolicited applications; they identify funding recipients through their field operations and trustee discretion
• Direct Contact Advised: Organizations should reach out directly via info@zahratrust.com to introduce their work and explore partnership possibilities
• Geographic Focus Critical: Work in their 10 operating countries (Afghanistan, Iraq, Kenya, Lebanon, Pakistan, Tanzania, Yemen, and three others) is essential
• Islamic Charitable Framework: Understanding Islamic charitable principles, including the use of Zakat for sustainable development, is important for alignment
• Emphasis on Efficiency: With 100% of general donations directed to charitable work (admin covered separately), cost-effectiveness is clearly valued
• Both Relief and Development: The Trust balances rapid emergency response with longer-term sustainable development projects
• Multi-Faceted Support: Beyond financial grants, the Trust provides human resources, facilities, services, and advocacy support to partner organizations

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities. “THE ZAHRA TRUST - 1129501.” Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1129501&subid=0
• Charity Commission. “THE ZAHRA TRUST - What, who, how, where.” Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4045253/what-who-how-where
• The Zahra Trust. Official website. www.zahratrust.com
• Companies House. “THE ZAHRA TRUST overview.” Available at: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/06842695
• Various charity information platforms including Fundraiso and NGO Explorer featuring data on The Zahra Trust's operations and scope