Zakat Eligibility

MY Project USA is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. We serve local refugees, orphans, victims of abuse and other needy and poor neighbors in the Columbus area in Ohio. We are Zakat-eligible because it falls into six of the eight categories of Zakat as commanded by Allah SWT in the following verse of Quran. “Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect (zakah) and for bringing hearts together (for Islam) and for freeing captives (or slaves) and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the (stranded) traveler – and obligation (imposed) by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.” (Quran 9:60)

*Zakat funds are used ONLY for zakat eligible initiatives and individuals*

MY Project USA Meets 6 Out Of 8 Criteria:

Categories No. 1 & 2: “for poor and for the needy” – This applies because we are helping poor local and refugee Muslim families.
Category No. 4: “bringing hearts together” – This applies because we serve all needy people regardless of their faith, ethnicity or race. We also work with individuals that are attracted to Islam and Muslims and prefer working with us to learn more.
Category No. 5: “freeing captives” – This applies because we are addressing human trafficking, the modern day slavery, prevention and intervention. Our focus is to free sex slaves from bondage and help them reestablish a life of their own.
Category No. 6: “paying the debt” – This applies because we take care of families, single moms and family violence victims dealing with debts and financial instability.
Category No. 7: “the cause of Allah” – This applies because we are protecting and empowering Muslim youth and families in America. Through our work, we are addressing drugs, gangs, violence, suicides, radicalization, homelessness and hunger through capacity-building of the individuals and the community. Through the documentation and publicity of our work, we week to address Islamophobia as well. Our goal is to preserve Islam and Muslim communities in America at its best.

7 Ways to Make an Impact:

1. General Funds to Sustain the Organization: The most needed help us build an infrastructure that would serve the community for years to come.

2. Food Pantry / MY Community Cafe

3. Protect & Empower a Youth: Help us foster strong, compassionate, caring Muslim youth free of drugs, gangs and other crimes. Help us raise the leaders of tomorrow through MY Reading Warriors, mentorship programs, sports, etc.

4. Help Uplift a Family in Need: We support families in need by paying for their rent, utilities, baby items, debts,

providing cash assistance for essentials and also by job training and employment if applicable.

5. Parent/Adult Education: We offer ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, parenting workshops and one- on-one counseling to refugee parents struggling with day- to-day parenting challenges in a new country.

6. Support Victims of Human Trafficking/Domestic Violence & Child Abuse

7. Help Provide Job Training & Find Employment For Those in Need