Top fundraising ideas for Ramadan

Ramadan is observed by Muslims around the world, and is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is an opportunity for Muslims to fast, abstain, pray, reflect, and is a time to bring communities together and to do good deeds.  

Zakat is the third pillar of Islam and requires Muslims, who meet a financial threshold (called Nisab), to give 2.5% of their wealth to charity, in order to help those less fortunate. Donations during Ramadan are highly rewarded and multiplied, which is why the majority of Muslims choose to donate during this time. 

Whether your charity is faith-based on not, Ramadan offers the opportunity to engage your Muslim supporters. However, be mindful that it is a very sacred month and as such, your messaging must be appropriate and respectful. Involve Muslim colleagues and volunteers to ensure that your fundraising messaging and ideas are in keeping with their faith.  

Here are seven fundraising ideas for Ramadan. 

Create a Ramadan fundraising landing page 

For Muslims looking to support your charity during Ramadan, make it as easy as possible for them to do so. Create a Ramadan fundraising landing page or hub where you can explain how their money will help and what impact it would have.  

Provide fundraising ideas should they wish to hold a fundraising event, as well as assets they can download, such as posters or social media graphics.  

Create a donation page with appropriate language and imagery for Ramadan and encourage donors to donate their Zakat to your cause.  

Add a Zakat calculator 

How much Zakat needs to be paid depends on a number of assets, such as gold, silver, pensions, property owned and more. Make it as easy as possible for donors to calculate their Zakat by embedding a calculator on your website.  

Here are examples of a Zakat calculator from Muslim Hands UK and Islamic Relief UK. 

Organise a community iftar 

Encourage your Muslim supporters to organise a community iftar, where they can break their fast together, and fundraise at the same time.  

One of the purposes of fasting during Ramadan is to relate to those in poverty who experience hunger. Suggest that people donate the cost of a meal and provide collections tins, set up a fundraising campaign page, or provide a QR code for people to make their donation.  

Host an iftar cooking class 

This is a great idea for both Muslims and non-Muslims, and it can be done virtually or in-person. Charge participants to attend a cooking class where they will learn how to make popular Ramadan dishes, usually served at iftar (the breaking of the fast). You could even host the class just before iftar so that everyone can break their fast together after the class. 

Eid al-Fitr card design competition 

Eid al-Fitr, or “Eid” for short, marks the end of Ramadan and is often a big celebration. At the start of Ramadan, why not run a competition inviting children to design a card for Eid. The winning design can be turned into an e-card where supporters can make a donation to send the card to their friends, family and colleagues to wish them “Eid Mubarak”.  

Obtain matched funding 

Speak to your existing corporate partners or look for new corporate partners, potentially Muslim-owned businesses, who would be willing to match-fund your donations during Ramadan. This provides a greater incentive for donors as their donation is effectively worth twice as much. 

Be sure to make it clear on your donation page that Ramadan donations will be doubled, up to a certain amount. Alternatively, you could set up a crowdfunding page with a specific target that will be matched by corporate donors. This would help donors to see how much has been raised so far and how much still needs to be raised to hit the target. Be sure to include ways for them to share the page with friends and family, such as through social media, WhatsApp, and email sharing icons.  

Run an abstinence fundraiser 

Abstinence fundraisers, such as Veganuary, are very popular and require the participant to give something up for a period of time and ask people to sponsor them for their efforts.  

During Ramadan, from dawn to sunset, Muslims are required to abstain from eating any food, drinking liquids (including water), smoking cigarettes, and engaging in any sexual activity.  

They are also encouraged to lessen, or refrain from, swearing, gossiping, complaining and having negative thoughts and emotions. Some Muslims will give something up or limit an activity, such as watching television, in order to focus on their faith. 

Create a “give something up for Ramadan” fundraiser, which all your supporters can take part in. Suggest ideas, such as giving up your daily coffee and donating the cost to the charity or giving up chocolate and asking people to sponsor you.