Where to Give Zakat in the U.S. (2026 Guide)

Introduction

Every year, millions of Muslims in the United States search for trustworthy places to give their zakat. Some want to support families and communities close to home, while others wish to send zakat to their countries of origin or respond to urgent humanitarian crises abroad.

Despite this need, clear and up-to-date guidance can be difficult to find. The 2026 HalalWallet Zakat Giving Guide was created to help American Muslims confidently answer one essential question: Where should I send my zakat?

This page serves as the starting point for a broader series of zakat guides, designed to help you calculate your zakat correctly, understand your options, and choose where to give with clarity and confidence.

What This Guide Covers

This page is the main landing page for HalalWallet’s 2026 Zakat Series. From here, you can navigate to region-specific zakat guides within the United States, country-specific zakat guides for international giving, HalalWallet’s Zakat Calculator, and educational resources explaining zakat eligibility and best practices.

Each guide in this series is reviewed and updated for 2026, with a focus on transparency, eligibility, and real-world impact.

Start With Your Zakat Calculation

Before deciding where to give zakat, it is important to know how much zakat you owe. HalalWallet’s Zakat Calculator helps you estimate your zakat based on cash and bank balances, investments, business assets, liabilities, and the current nisab threshold.

Many readers choose to calculate their zakat first, then return to this guide to decide where to distribute it.

Find the Right Zakat Guide for You

Giving Zakat Locally in the United States

If you prefer to keep your zakat within the United States—supporting local families, refugees, food insecurity programs, or community relief—start with the guide that best matches where you live.

Northeast: Serving the NYC, North Jersey, and Greater Philadelphia Muslim communities
Midwest: Coverage of Chicago, Detroit/Dearborn, Michigan, and surrounding areas
South: Zakat organizations serving Texas, Georgia, Florida, and neighboring states
West: Zakat options across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southwest

Each regional guide includes trusted zakat-eligible organizations, masjid-based zakat programs, local relief and social-service initiatives, and links back to zakat education and calculation tools.

Sending Zakat Internationally

Many Muslims in the U.S. choose to send zakat abroad to support family, uplift their countries of origin, or respond to humanitarian emergencies. Our international guides focus on the most common zakat destinations for American Muslims, updated for 2026.

Pakistan
Bangladesh
India
Palestine

Each country guide explains common zakat-supported programs such as medical aid, education, and emergency relief, how zakat is distributed, what to look for when donating internationally, and how to align your giving with zakat guidelines.

What If None of These Guides Fit My Situation?

While these guides cover the vast majority of Muslims in the U.S., some readers may live outside the listed regions, wish to send zakat to a different country, or have unique circumstances or distribution preferences.

If none of the guides feel like the right fit, consider reaching out to your local masjid or Islamic center, many of which operate zakat programs or can recommend trusted zakat-eligible organizations. You may also contact HalalWallet directly for guidance toward relevant educational resources or existing guides.

This zakat guide series will continue to expand, with new regions and countries added based on community needs, population trends, and reader feedback.

Our Editorial Approach

HalalWallet’s Zakat Giving Guides are reviewed and updated for 2026, independent and unsponsored, and are not rankings or endorsements. Our goal is to equip Muslims in the U.S. with the tools and information needed to fulfill their zakat thoughtfully—from education, to calculation, to confident giving.