Where Do the Donations Go? Which Fund Should I Choose?

Zakat is one of the essential pillars of Islam. It is a sacred obligation through which Muslims purify their wealth, support those in need, and contribute to the well-being of the wider community.

In the Islamic tradition, seeking and preserving beneficial knowledge is among the most honored forms of service. Supporting students of sacred knowledge helps prepare future scholars, educators, chaplains, and community leaders who can serve both Muslim communities and the broader society.

Sponsoring students of Islamic Studies can also become a lasting form of sadaqah jāriyah, as the knowledge they gain and share continues to benefit others.

Donations made to the Zakat Fund are mainly used to sponsor and provide scholarships to eligible master’s students studying in the Islamic Studies program at Respect Graduate School.

An endowment fund is a long-term investment fund that helps secure the future of an educational institution. Rather than being used only for immediate expenses, endowment funds are intended to provide lasting financial stability and support for future generations.

For Respect Graduate School, the Endowment Fund supports the long-term sustainability and growth of Islamic higher education in the United States. It helps provide financial stability, expand scholarships, strengthen academic programs, attract qualified faculty, support accreditation efforts, and preserve the mission of RGS for years to come.

RGS also understands this work through the Islamic concept of waqf, a charitable model in which donations are preserved and used according to their intended purpose for ongoing public benefit.

Academic courses are essential, but scholarship also requires spaces where researchers, students, and community members can share ideas, present research, and engage broader audiences. Respect Graduate School aims to organize at least two academic conferences each year.

These conferences are not limited only to Islamic Studies. They also create opportunities for dialogue across religious traditions, disciplines, and contemporary intellectual concerns.

Your donation to the Academic Conference Fund helps support conference planning, speaker invitations, venue and technology needs, student participation, publications, and public academic engagement.