We launched the Trans Zakat Project during Ramadan in May 2021, in order to address what we perceived as an urgent need among trans and nonbinary Muslims. That first year, we used a simple, direct-donation approach, connecting donors directly to recipients. In just a few weeks, we were able to connect 34 donors with 36 zakat-eligible trans and nonbinary Muslims.
This allowed us to launch quickly and allowed donors to move funds swiftly and at their discretion—but it meant that some recipients received more than others and it required a lot of trust.
In 2022, we decided to collect and distribute funds, using the GoFundMe platform, to help ensure equitable distribution to recipients and to protect the privacy of donors and recipients. We have continued this process, since then.
What is the process?
Recipients register for the project each year during Ramadan. Donors are also invited to register at that time, but may join the project at other points in the year.
Donors can register with us or simply make a donation on GoFundMe. The benefits of registering is that donors can receive information about the results of this year’s zakat distribution process and notification when we begin our next zakat collection. It will also allow us to know a little bit more about who is making donations and why, if donors choose to share that.
Recipients must register with us, which means completing an online registration form that asks if they are Muslim, if they are trans and/or nonbinary, and poses some additional questions.
What is the deadline?
Since we are keeping our GoFundMe open year round, this year, we have several deadlines.
Donors who use the Trans Zakat Project to make zakat payments during Ramadan must make their donations by Eid al-Fitr (April 10, 2024).
Donors who are making zakat payments for the year can make them by the end of the Muslim calendar year (Dhul-Hijjah 30, 1445), which is expected to fall on July 6, 2024.
Donors can also choose to make donations throughout the year. If significant donations are received between July 7, 2024 and December 31, 2024, may choose to have a third disbursement. Any funds received after January 1, 2025 will be consolidated with Ramadan donations for 2025.
Please note that we are a volunteer organization, but not currently a non-profit. That means that donations are not tax-deductible in the U.S.*
Where do the funds go?
The funds we collect go to trans and nonbinary Muslims who have registered as Trans Zakat Project recipients.
Aside from fees charged by the GoFundMe platform or incurred during financial transfers, all funds go directly to trans and nonbinary Muslims who have registered with the Trans Zakat Project as recipients. We charge no fees and keep none of the funds.
How can I participate?
There are four ways to participate:
- Register as a recipient.
- Register as a donor and make a donation.
- Spread the word to encourage others to make donations—you can start by sharing our social media posts! You can find us at:
Facebook: @transzakatproject
Instagram: @transzakatproject
X (formerly Twitter): @transzakat - Help connect us with trans and nonbinary Muslims who can register as recipients. Because we want to ensure that only trans and nonbinary Muslims register as recipients, the recipient registration link is not shared publicly. That means it is harder to reach people beyond personal networks—if you know people who qualify, please help to put us in touch with them, either through our social media or by email (transzakatproject@gmail.com).
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*If you are a lawyer interested in donating time to help us consider registering as a non-profit and potentially aiding us with that process, we would love to hear from you. Since we do not collect any fees or keep any of the Trans Zakat Project donations, the project does not have funds of its own to use for this purpose.