Who can receive funds from the Trans Zakat Project?
Zakat-eligible trans and nonbinary Muslims.
Who is eligible to receive zakat?
Islamic principles determine who is eligible to receive zakat. Trans and nonbinary Muslims who aren’t sure if they are eligible to receive zakat should read the information we have compiled on our Zakat Eligibility and Zakat Obligation page.
How is eligibility for zakat determined?
The Trans Zakat Project does not verify income eligibility, trusting that individuals know their own circumstances and that trans and nonbinary Muslims recognize and honor the sacred responsibility of zakat.
Starting in 2024, we have begun verifying the identities of recipients, to ensure that they are who they say they are and that they have only completed the recipient form one time per year. We also limit where we share the recipient registration form in order to avoid having it be filled out by spambots or unscrupulous people who are not trans or nonbinary Muslims.
How can trans and nonbinary Muslims sign up to receive zakat funds?
We share the form to register as a recipient in a number of places where trans and nonbinary Muslims will have access to it. We also email the form to past recipients. If you are a trans or nonbinary Muslim and believe you are zakat-eligible, please email us to request access to the form.
What is the deadline to register?
Typically, we accept recipient registrations through the end of the day on Eid al-Fitr*. At that time, recipient registration will close until the following year.
For 2025, we expect the deadline to register to be March 30, 2025.
*If there is disagreement about the date of Eid al-Fitr, we will accept registrations through the end of the latest date commonly believed to be Eid.
If the deadline to register is on Eid, is there any reason to register earlier?
Yes. Our verification process can take some time, especially when we have to verify many people at the same time. If everyone registers on Eid, it will take longer for everyone to receive funds. Registering earlier can allow us to begin the registration process earlier, so that payment can be sent immediately after Eid.
When can recipients expect to receive funds?
Funds collected during Ramadan will be disbursed starting after Eid al-Fitr. We expect to begin the process on the first day of Shawwal (the day after Eid al-Fitr), and aim to disburse all funds within 30 days.
We begin the disbursement process immediately, however it can take some time for recipients to be verified and for all of the payments to be processed. For people outside of the U.S., there may also be a delay, because Paypal and other services may process the payment as an eCheck which can take 5-7 days to be deposited. There are occasionally other delays that are beyond our control, such as when we need to confirm someone’s account information and they do not reply immediately.
If we receive significant additional funds by the end of the Muslim calendar year (Dhul-Hijjah 30) or the end of the Gregorian calendar year (December 31), we may make additional disbursements. However, this typically does not happen.
Any funds received after January 1 will be consolidated with Ramadan donations for that year.