Ramadan starts soon, inshallah. You’ve probably thought about your fasting schedule, your tarawih plans, maybe even your meal prep. But have you thought about your giving?
This Ramadan giving checklist is purely practical—no spiritual platitudes, just logistics. Complete these items before February 17, and your charitable giving during Ramadan becomes seamless instead of stressful.
Print this out. Work through it. Check the boxes. Future-you, exhausted after a long fast and trying to make a donation at 11pm on the 27th night, will thank present-you.
☐ Calculate Your Zakat Now
Do not wait until the last ten nights to figure out what you owe. Rushed calculations lead to errors, and zakat is a precise obligation—not a rough estimate.
Gather these documents:
- ☐ Bank statements (checking, savings, money market)
- ☐ Investment account statements (brokerage, retirement accounts)
- ☐ Current value of gold and silver you own (including jewelry)
- ☐ Business inventory value (if applicable)
- ☐ Money owed to you that you expect to collect
- ☐ Outstanding debts you owe (only immediately due debts are deductible)
- ☐ Cryptocurrency holdings (yes, these count)
Then calculate: Use our zakat calculator to determine your exact obligation. Input your assets, subtract your liabilities, and if you’re above the nisab threshold, multiply by 2.5%.
Write down your zakat amount: $__________
This number shouldn’t change between now and Ramadan unless your financial situation shifts dramatically. You now know exactly what you owe.
☐ Confirm Your Zakat Date
When is your zakat actually due? This matters more than most people realize.
Your zakat date (hawl anniversary) is based on when your wealth first exceeded the nisab threshold—not automatically Ramadan. Many Muslims pay during Ramadan for the multiplied rewards, which is fine, but you should know your actual anniversary.
Ask yourself:
- ☐ Do I know when my wealth first exceeded nisab?
- ☐ Am I paying zakat early, on time, or catching up?
- ☐ Will I use this same date consistently each year?
If you’ve never tracked your hawl, pick a date now and stick with it. Many people choose the first of Ramadan for simplicity. Just be consistent.
My zakat date: __________
☐ Research Your Recipient Organizations
At 2am on a potential Laylat al-Qadr, you don’t want to be Googling “is this charity legit?” Do your research now.
Build your giving list:
- ☐ Zakat-eligible organizations — Remember, not every nonprofit qualifies. Zakat must reach the eight categories mentioned in Quran 9:60 (the poor, those in debt, travelers in need, etc.). A masjid building fund? Probably not zakat-eligible. A masjid’s food pantry? Likely yes.
- ☐ Local causes — Your community masjid, local food bank, refugee resettlement organization
- ☐ International relief — Verified organizations working in crisis zones
- ☐ Education and development — Scholarships, schools, youth programs
- ☐ Causes personal to your family — What do you and your spouse care about? What do your kids want to support?
Write them down:
| Organization | Zakat-Eligible? | Amount |
| ☐ Yes ☐ No | $ | |
| ☐ Yes ☐ No | $ | |
| ☐ Yes ☐ No | $ | |
| ☐ Yes ☐ No | $ | |
| ☐ Yes ☐ No | $ |
Having this list ready means Ramadan giving is a matter of execution, not decision-making.
☐ Set Up Your Giving Infrastructure
How will you actually move money when the time comes? Remove friction now.
Check your setup:
- ☐ DAF funded and ready? If you have a Donor Advised Fund with AMCF, log in and confirm your balance. If you don’t have one yet and want to open one, apply now—you have just enough time before Ramadan.
- ☐ Bank account linked? If you’re giving directly, make sure your bank account or card is saved with your preferred donation platforms.
- ☐ Recurring donations set? Want to give sadaqah every day of Ramadan? Set up a $5 or $10 daily recurring gift now. Don’t rely on remembering each day.
- ☐ Employer matching? Many companies match charitable donations. Check your HR portal—this could double your impact.
☐ Plan Your Sadaqah Strategy
Beyond zakat, how will you give during Ramadan? Sadaqah is voluntary, but that doesn’t mean it should be unplanned.
Decide now:
- ☐ Daily sadaqah amount — Even $1/day adds up to $30 of consistent charity. What’s your number? $__________/day
- ☐ Last 10 nights plan — Will you increase giving during the final stretch? Some people give a set amount each of the last 10 nights to ensure they catch Laylat al-Qadr. Amount per night: $__________
- ☐ Spontaneous giving budget — How much are you comfortable giving when unexpected appeals arise? Having a number in mind prevents both guilt and overspending.
- ☐ Specific campaigns — Are there Ramadan fundraisers you want to support? Add them to your list.
☐ Calendar Your Giving
Block actual time to make your donations. Intentions without calendar slots become forgotten tasks.
Add to your calendar:
- ☐ Before Ramadan (this week): Final zakat calculation, DAF funding, infrastructure check
- ☐ First night of Ramadan: Initial zakat payment or first planned gift
- ☐ Weekly check-in: 15 minutes each Friday to review your giving list and make grants
- ☐ Night of the 21st: Last 10 nights begin—increase giving if planned
- ☐ Night of the 27th: Likely Laylat al-Qadr—major giving night for many Muslims
- ☐ Before Eid: Zakat al-Fitr deadline, final sadaqah
Treat these like appointments. Giving is worship—it deserves protected time.
☐ Involve Your Family
Ramadan giving isn’t a solo activity. Bring your household into the planning.
Family alignment:
- ☐ Spouse: Are you aligned on total giving amount and recipient priorities?
- ☐ Children: Old enough to participate? Let them choose a cause, earn sadaqah through chores, or manage a small giving fund.
- ☐ Extended family: Any joint giving traditions? Family giving circles?
AMCF’s Ramadan Children’s Giving Guide includes daily activities and discussion prompts to help kids engage with charity throughout the month.
Your Ramadan Giving Checklist Summary
Here’s everything in one place:
- ☐ Zakat calculated (amount: $__________)
- ☐ Zakat date confirmed (date: __________)
- ☐ Recipient organizations researched and listed
- ☐ DAF funded or direct giving accounts ready
- ☐ Recurring sadaqah set up ($__________/day)
- ☐ Last 10 nights giving planned ($__________/night)
- ☐ Calendar blocked for giving activities
- ☐ Family aligned and involved
Complete This Checklist by February 16
Ramadan begins the evening of February 17. Everything on this Ramadan giving checklist can be completed in the next 11 days—most of it in a single focused hour.
Do the work now. Then when Ramadan arrives, you’re free to focus on fasting, prayer, Quran, and family. Your giving runs on autopilot because you built the system in advance.
Need help with any of these steps? Have questions about zakat calculation or DAF setup? Contact us—we’re here to help you give with confidence.