Programs – Zakat Chicago

Food Aid Programs

Food insecurity is a real and growing problem in Chicago. According to recent reports,.

Feast with Dignity Campaign

Zakat Chicago’s Feast with Dignity campaign is one of our signature initiatives under the Food Aid.

Zakat Chicago Empowerment Scholarship

Zakat Chicago Empowerment Scholarship Program is our third signature campaign. Started in 2023, it.

Refugee Assistance

Every year, hundreds of refugees and asylees arrive in Chicago seeking safety from war,.

Weekend School Program

As the Muslim community in the U.S. continues to grow, the need for accessible.

Youth Leadership Initiatives

Zakat Chicago proudly supports CIOGC programs that cultivate leadership skills among youth in the.

Dawah and New Convert Care

At Zakat Chicago, we are deeply honored to walk alongside those who have embraced.

Healthcare Assistance Program

In Chicago, over 6.2% of residents remain uninsured, and thousands more are underinsured, leaving.

Individual Assistance

Every year, thousands of individuals and families in our city face unexpected financial challenges—struggling.

Food Aid

We may not realize it, but hunger is a serious problem in the Greater Chicago area. According to one study from Feeding America, one in seven people in Cook County will experience food insecurity this year. Zakat Chicago supports seven Muslim owned and operated food pantries across Chicgaoland. Your donation will help provide tens of thousands of meals every year at these pantries.

Emergency Shelter

Approximately 77,000 people in Chicago are experiencing homelessness, with almost 30% of those people under the age of 18. Your donations to Zakat Chicago can save lives by supporting transitional housing operations and other emergency sheltering for Chicago’s most vulnerable.

Refugee Assistance

Hundreds of refugees come to Chicago, escaping war, famine, and violence. Zakat Chicago sponsors several well-established refugee and asylee support organizations that assist people from around the world by providing rental assistance, English classes, and jobs training.

Healthcare

Nearly 270,000 people in the Greater Chicago area are uninsured, unable to pay for the life-saving medical care and mental health support they need. Zakat Chicago, with your donation, can continue to provide significant discounts to Chicagoans who need check-ups and counseling sessions, as well as support workshops to train people in mental health first aid.

Islamic Education

As part of our mission to promote Islamic education, Zakat Chicago provides financial support to weekend Islamic schools to help children whose parents are unable to pay their tuition fees. Additionally, in isolated cases, we have provided financial aid to students in degree programs.

Dawah (Learn Islam)

Your donation to Zakat Chicago helps spread the message of Islam across Chicagoland. ZC provides support to organizations and mosques that hand out copies of the Quran, provide educational materials, and work with new Muslims who need spiritual support.

Individual Assistance

Thousands of people in the city fall short of cash occasionally to pay the rent, heating bills, train passes, etc. When confronted with financial hardship, people often turn to their masajid to seek help. Your donation to Zakat Chicago can help support the masajid we work with who provide aid to those who need it most.

Winter Aid

Chicago winters are notoriously tough, with temperatures frequently reaching at or below 0 °F overnight. Your donation can help us and the food pantries we support create Winter Kits packed with the jackets, gloves, and other supplies needed to help keep people safe and warm during the long winter nights.

Youth Leadership

Zakat Chicago supports CIOGC programs that offer leadership opportunities to the youth of the Greater Chicago area. Your donation can provide scholarships for children to attend a youth camp, participate in Muslim Action Day, and create programs that teach this new generation the skills necessary to become future leaders.

Empowerment

Zakat Chicago is dedicated to empowering the community by teaching necessary job skills and providing help to those in certificate- and degree-seeking programs. Your donation can help Chicagoans develop skills and receive certificates and degrees that will be vital to securing better jobs.

Individual Assistance

Empowerment

Masjid Assistance

The many masajid found in Chicagoland are sources of hope and refuge for many people, serving as a beacon of spiritual and personal wellness for the larger community. Zakat Chicago issues grants to help keep these pillars of the community open for its people in areas where the local community is not able to provide that support.