Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam and a vital form of worship that purifies wealth while supporting those in need. It serves as a reminder of our social responsibility and helps build a more just and compassionate society. The importance of Zakat is heightened during Ramadan, a month of spiritual reflection, generosity, and increased rewards for good deeds.

In the Quran, Allah emphasizes the significance of giving:

مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed of grain that sprouts seven years; in every year, there are a hundred grains.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:261)

Now, imagine multiplying these rewards even further through Zakat matching. This initiative allows your Zakat contributions to be doubled—or even tripled—through corporate programs, significantly amplifying their impact.

In this article, we’ll explore practical steps to get your Zakat matched during Ramadan, ensuring your generosity benefits even more people and maximizes your spiritual rewards.

What Is Zakat Matching?

Zakat matching is a concept inspired by corporate matching gift programs, where employers match the charitable contributions made by their employees. In the case of Zakat, when a Muslim donates a specific amount to fulfill their religious obligation, participating companies or organizations can match that amount, effectively doubling or even tripling the impact of the original donation.

During Ramadan, when rewards for charitable acts are multiplied, Zakat matching becomes an even more powerful way to maximize your contributions. This not only increases the total funds directed toward helping those in need but also enhances the spiritual benefits for both the donor and the matching organization.

Every day two angels descend and one of them says, ‘O Allah, compensate the one who spends (in Your cause),’ and the other says, ‘O Allah, destroy the one who withholds.’ – (Sahih Muslim: 1010)

How Does Zakat Matching Work?

The process of Zakat matching is straightforward:

• You donate: You begin by donating your Zakat to an eligible charitable organization.
• Employer matches: If your company offers a matching gift program, they will contribute the same amount (or more) to the same or similar cause.
• Impact doubles: The beneficiaries receive double the support—your contribution plus the matched donation from your employer.

Why Is Zakat Matching Important During Ramadan?

• Amplified rewards: Every good deed during Ramadan carries multiplied rewards, and matching donations elevate the reward even further.
• Increased impact: The financial aid provided to the needy increases substantially, covering more ground for causes like hunger relief, education, and healthcare.
• Encourages corporate giving: Companies participating in Zakat matching programs become part of a larger movement of generosity and social responsibility.

Allah says in Quran,

مَّن ذَا الَّذِي يُقْرِضُ اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا فَيُضَاعِفَهُ لَهُ أَضْعَافًا كَثِيرَةً

“Who is it that will lend Allah a good loan, which He will multiply for him many times over?” – (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:245)

Finding Zakat Corporate Gift Programs

If you’re wondering how to get your Zakat matched during Ramadan, the first step is to determine if your employer offers a corporate gift or matching donation program. Many organizations worldwide have embraced the idea of corporate social responsibility (CSR), and matching charitable contributions has become a common practice in encouraging employee generosity.

How to Check if Your Employer Matches Zakat Donations

Here are some ways to find out if your company offers a Zakat matching or corporate gift program:

• Review Your Company’s CSR Policy: Most large companies have a Corporate Social Responsibility page or internal guidelines outlining their charitable giving policies.
• Speak with HR: Contact your human resources department to ask if they offer any charitable donation matching program, and specifically inquire if religious charitable giving—such as Zakat—is eligible for matching.
• Use Online Databases: Websites like Double the Donation or Benevity maintain databases of companies that offer matching gift programs. You can search to see if your company participates.
• Check with Charities: Some charitable organizations maintain lists of companies that have matched donations in the past. Contact the organizations you’re planning to donate your Zakat to and ask if they are aware of any matching programs.

Companies Known for Matching Gifts

Many multinational corporations and large organizations offer matching gift programs that could potentially apply to Zakat donations. While not all explicitly mention Zakat, general charitable contributions often qualify under broader donation categories.

Examples of companies with matching gift programs include:

• Microsoft – Matches donations made by employees to a wide variety of nonprofits.
• Google – Offers donation matching for various charitable causes globally.
• Apple – Matches employee donations dollar-for-dollar.
• General Electric (GE) – One of the pioneers of corporate gift-matching programs.

If you’re unsure whether a specific company supports Zakat matching, it’s always worth reaching out to their CSR or HR department to clarify.

Why Do Companies Offer Corporate Gifts?

Many organizations see matching donations as a way to:

• Promote employee engagement and enhance workplace satisfaction.
• Fulfill corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals by supporting global charitable efforts.
• Contribute to social equity by supporting communities in need during significant religious seasons like Ramadan.

Learn how matching gifts programs work here.

Steps to Get Your Zakat Matched

Once you’ve confirmed that your employer offers a Zakat matching or corporate gift program, it’s time to take action. Follow these simple steps to ensure your Zakat donation qualifies for matching during Ramadan:

1. Verify Eligibility

Before making your donation, verify that:

• Your employer matches donations to religious-based charities.
• The organization you plan to donate to is registered as a recognized charity (e.g., a 501(c)(3) organization for US-based donors or relevant charity registration in other countries).
• Your donation falls within the company’s matching limit, as many organizations set minimum and maximum thresholds.

Tip: Some companies match donations up to a specific amount annually—know your company’s limit and try to maximize your contribution within that range.

2. Choose an Eligible Zakat-Receiving Charity

Make sure the charity you donate to is Zakat-eligible and supports causes that align with Islamic teachings. Look for:

• Organizations registered for tax-deductible donations.
• Charities involved in Zakat-eligible causes like poverty relief, education, or healthcare.
• Platforms that facilitate Zakat matching (some online portals collaborate directly with corporations for matching donations).

Example: Platforms like Feeling Blessed allow easy Zakat contributions and may partner with companies that offer donation-matching programs.

3. Make Your Zakat Donation

Once you’ve selected a qualifying charity:

• Donate the amount of Zakat required based on your wealth and assets.
• Keep your donation receipt, as this will be essential for claiming your employer’s match.
• Document the payment method, date of donation, and the charity’s registration number (if applicable).

4. Submit Matching Gift Forms

Most companies require you to submit a request form to process the matching contribution. Steps usually include:

• Filling out a matching gift application provided by your employer.
• Uploading the donation receipt and other required documentation.
• Providing charity details, such as the organization’s name, tax identification number, and contact information.

Tip: Some employers provide digital portals for submitting matching requests, making the process faster and easier.

5. Follow Up with HR or CSR Team

After submission:

• Check on the status of your matching request if there’s a delay.
• Confirm with your HR or CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) department that the match is being processed.
• Request a confirmation letter from the charity once the matching donation has been received.

6. Track Your Donation’s Impact

Stay informed about how your Zakat is being used by the charity:

• Request reports or updates from the organization.
• Monitor the causes your Zakat supports, such as feeding the poor, building wells, or funding educational programs.

Learn more about the Guide to Giving Zakat this Ramadan here. 

Best Practices for Maximizing Zakat Matching During Ramadan

To ensure you make the most of your Zakat matching opportunities during Ramadan, following best practices can help maximize both your spiritual rewards and the financial impact of your donations. Here’s how you can optimize your giving:

1. Plan Early

Start preparing for your Zakat donations at the beginning of Ramadan. Early preparation allows you to:

• Ensure that all necessary documentation is in place for your employer’s matching program.
• Avoid missing deadlines set by corporate matching gift programs.
• Take advantage of any early-bird matching incentives offered by some companies during Ramadan.

Tip: Create a calendar to track key dates for submitting matching requests and follow-ups.

2. Choose Recognized Charities

Select organizations that are eligible for both Zakat distribution and corporate matching programs. This ensures:

• Your donation fulfills Islamic requirements for Zakat.
• Your employer recognizes the organization and processes the match without complications.

How to verify eligibility:

• Look for certifications such as 501(c)(3) status (for US-based donors).
• Check if the charity has a formal partnership with platforms that support Zakat matching.
• Ensure the charity follows proper Islamic Zakat distribution guidelines.

3. Split Your Donations

Instead of donating all your Zakat at once, consider spreading your donations across several days. This strategy helps you:

• Increase the chances of your donations being matched if your employer has a daily or weekly matching cap.
• Maximize the blessings of donating on the last ten nights of Ramadan, especially on Laylatul Qadr, when rewards are multiplied.

Example: Divide your total Zakat across the last ten odd nights of Ramadan (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th) to ensure you catch Laylatul Qadr.

4. Leverage Digital Platforms

Many apps and online platforms streamline the Zakat donation process and collaborate with companies offering matching gifts. Benefits include:

• Easy submission of donation receipts for matching purposes.
• Real-time tracking of your donation’s impact.
• Automated scheduling for recurring donations throughout Ramadan.

Recommended platforms:

• Feeling Blessed – Allows you to give Zakat easily while connecting with verified organizations.
• Benevity – A platform that facilitates corporate donation matching.
• Double the Donation – Helps employees find companies that offer matching programs.

5. Set Up Recurring Donations for Extra Rewards

Automate your Zakat donations for the last ten nights of Ramadan. This not only ensures consistency but also increases the likelihood of donating on Laylatul Qadr.

Benefits:

• You won’t miss any opportunity to donate on odd nights.
• You can spread your financial commitment throughout the month.
• Many platforms allow you to track when and where your donations are made.

6. Educate and Encourage Others

Sharing knowledge about Zakat corporate gifts and matching donation programs can multiply the collective impact of charitable giving at your workplace or within your community.

Ways to raise awareness:

• Share informative emails or social media posts.
• Host webinars or sessions with HR to discuss Zakat matching.
• Encourage friends and family to check their employer’s matching policies.

The Benefits of Zakat Matching for Individuals and Communities

Zakat matching doesn’t just amplify the financial impact of your donation—it also strengthens community bonds, fulfills religious obligations, and encourages corporate participation in charitable causes. Here are the key benefits for both individuals and communities:

1. Double or Triple Your Impact

The most immediate benefit of Zakat matching is the ability to multiply your charitable contributions.

• Increased support for beneficiaries: When a company matches your donation, the total amount given to those in need can double or even triple.
• More resources for charitable programs: This extra funding can help charities expand their initiatives, such as providing food, healthcare, education, and emergency aid.
• Maximized rewards for the donor: In Islam, charitable acts bring immense rewards. By using matching programs, you maximize both the material and spiritual impact of your donation.

Example:
If you donate $500 and your company matches 100%, the charity receives $1,000—effectively doubling your Zakat’s reach.

2. Increased Corporate Involvement

Zakat matching encourages businesses to take part in charitable giving during Ramadan, fostering a culture of generosity within the workplace.

How corporate involvement benefits society:

• Promotes corporate social responsibility (CSR): Businesses fulfill their ethical duties by supporting humanitarian causes.
• Boosts employee morale: Knowing their company supports charitable causes can increase job satisfaction among employees.
• Strengthens community ties: When businesses support local or international causes, it fosters goodwill and strengthens the bond between corporations and the communities they serve.

Example:
A company running a Ramadan charity drive with matching donations helps raise awareness about Zakat’s importance among employees, fostering a culture of empathy and social responsibility.

3. Fulfillment of Religious Obligations

For Muslims, Zakat is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and a fundamental religious duty. Participating in a matching program allows you to fulfill this obligation while amplifying the impact of your donation.

Spiritual benefits of Zakat matching:

• Increased reward: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said,

“The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is as the likeness of a grain that grows seven ears; in every ear, there are a hundred grains.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:261)
Matching donations can be seen as a modern way to multiply this reward.

• Purification of wealth: Zakat purifies your earnings and helps reduce attachment to material possessions.

Practical benefits:

• Enables donors to contribute more without additional personal financial strain.
• Makes fulfilling Zakat obligations more accessible through streamlined, employer-supported platforms.

4. Empowering Communities and Charitable Organizations

Zakat matching increases the financial resources available to nonprofits and charitable organizations, allowing them to:

• Expand their services by supporting more beneficiaries.
• Provide sustainable aid by launching long-term projects, such as building wells, supporting orphans, or funding educational initiatives.
• Respond to emergencies faster with readily available funds from matched donations.

5. Raising Awareness About Zakat and Ramadan

When businesses actively promote Zakat matching during Ramadan, they help spread awareness of Islamic charitable practices among non-Muslim employees and the broader community.

Benefits of raising awareness:

• Promotes interfaith understanding and respect.
• Encourages collaboration between different communities for charitable causes.
• Highlights the universal importance of generosity, empathy, and social responsibility.

Learn how Zakat can serve as a method of community care here.

Conclusion

Zakat matching during Ramadan is a powerful way to amplify your charitable impact while fulfilling a core Islamic obligation. By taking advantage of corporate matching programs, you can double or even triple your donations, allowing your generosity to reach more people in need.

With Feeling Blessed, giving becomes even easier—allowing you to donate seamlessly and take advantage of corporate matching programs to maximize your impact. Check with your employer, prepare your donations early, and give sincerely for Allah’s sake. 

Every matched donation can help more people in need while fulfilling a core Islamic obligation. May your generosity be accepted and rewarded abundantly. Ameen.