Trends in U.S. Muslim Humanitarian Giving, 2000-2025
Over the past quarter-century, Muslim Americans have become a more visible, organised and strategic force in philanthropy and humanitarian giving. Their charitable patterns reflect both religious obligations (such as Zakah and Sadaqah) and an evolving civic participation in U.S. society.
This article traces major trends, key data points, and what the growth of Muslim giving means for the community and for the broader philanthropic landscape.
Key Data & Observations
Growing Volume of Giving
- A 2021 survey by the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy found that even though Muslim-Americans represent about 1.1% of the U.S. population, they accounted for approximately 1.4% ($4.3 billion) of all individual giving in 2020. (Islamic Relief USA)
- Average giving by Muslim-American donors in the survey was about US$3,241 annually, compared to about US$1,905 for the general population. (Lilly Family School of Philanthropy)
- In the context of religious giving, a 2023 report indicates more than US$1.8 billion in zakāh funding in 2022 among U.S. Muslims. (Islamic Horizons)
Shift in Giving Focus
- Historically, Muslim-American donors were assumed to direct much of their giving overseas. Recent research contradicts that: around 85% of Muslim-American charitable giving is directed to U.S.-based causes, with only ~15% sent abroad. (Islamic Relief USA)
- The share of giving toward domestic relief, civil-rights, research and youth/family causes is growing. For example, Muslim donors gave ~8.8% of their faith-based donations to COVID-19 relief efforts compared to ~5.3% for non-Muslims. (Interfaith America)
Motivations & Volunteering
- Muslim-American donors reported higher volunteering hours. For example, in one survey Muslims reported ~66.6 hours of faith-based volunteering vs ~11.8 hours among the general population. (Islamic Relief USA)
- Key motivations include feeling compassion and connection, less so tax incentives or recognition. (Lilly Family School of Philanthropy)
Growth of Strategic Philanthropy & Institutions
- The community is increasingly moving from informal giving to structured institutions (giving circles, community foundations, waiver endowments). (Islamic Horizons)
- Platforms such as Muslim-friendly crowdfunding (e.g., LaunchGood) have grown, enabling more flexible, global and local campaigns. (Wikipedia)
What This Means
- Integration & Visibility: Muslim philanthropy is not “outsider” charity; it is increasingly part of domestic civic infrastructure.
- Diverse Focus: Giving is expanding into civil-rights, youth, mental health, disaster relief, not just traditional worship-related causes.
- Young Community, Rising Capacity: Many Muslim Americans are younger and building networks of influence; their giving patterns suggest long-term growth.
- Data Gaps Remain: Although data is better than a decade ago, challenges remain in tracking giving by origin, cause, region, and distinguishing zakāh vs non-obligatory giving.
Suggested Summary Table: U.S. Muslim Humanitarian Giving Highlights
| Metric | Approximate Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Muslim-American share of U.S. individual giving (2020) | ≈ 1.4% / US $4.3 billion | Based on survey extrapolation. (The Chronicle of Philanthropy) |
| Average annual giving by Muslim donors | ≈ US$3,241 | Compared to ~US$1,900 for general population. (Lilly Family School of Philanthropy) |
| Percentage of giving directed to U.S. causes | ~85% | Versus ~15% international. (Islamic Relief USA) |
| Percentage of faith-based giving to houses of worship | ~27.5% | Lower than general population (~51%). (Lake Institute on Faith & Giving) |
| Estimated zakāh fund (2022) | US$ 1.8 billion+ | Reflects religious obligation giving. (Islamic Horizons) |
Note: These figures are estimates based on survey data and academic research. Giving behaviour varies by income, region, ethnicity, and methodology. For full accuracy, further longitudinal data by year, cause, and geography is required.
References
- Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Muslim American Giving 2021. (Islamic Relief USA)
- Dan Parks. “Muslim Americans Are More Generous Than the Overall U.S. Population.” Philanthropy (Nov 2021). (The Chronicle of Philanthropy)
- “Muslims in America: Gave More to Charity than Other Americans in 2020.” Interfaith America (Nov 2021). (Interfaith America)
- Lisa Kahler. “Muslim Charitable Giving is Underrepresented…” Islamic Horizons (2024). (Islamic Horizons)