British Muslims give £2.2bn annually: Equi report

British Muslim charitable giving is playing an increasingly important economic and social role in supporting frontline public services across the UK, according to a new report by policy and research organization Equi.

The report estimates that Muslim donors contribute approximately £2.2 billion annually, making them one of the most active charitable communities in the UK.

The study, "Building Britain: British Muslims Giving Back", finds that Muslim-led charities are increasingly directing funds toward domestic priorities, including housing support, mental health services, youth programs, and emergency financial assistance, as public sector budgets face sustained pressure. 

Authored by Taibah Al-Fagih and Dr Mohammed Sinan Siyech, the Equi study combines polling data, interviews with charity sector leaders, and broader industry analysis.

It estimates that British Muslims contributed around £2.2 billion in charitable donations during 2023–24, with roughly half of respondents indicating plans to increase their giving in the year ahead.

The report also finds that higher-income Muslim donors, particularly those earning between £75,000 and £99,000, give at significantly higher rates, contributing up to ten times more than similarly paid individuals in the wider population.

The report also argues that faith-based giving is evolving into a structured ecosystem that complements state services rather than operating solely as a humanitarian charity, with Muslim giving levels being significantly higher than national averages, reaching up to four times the general population’s donation rates and rising further among higher earners.

Shift toward domestic priorities
Historically, a significant share of British Muslim charitable giving has been directed toward international humanitarian causes, shaped by transnational family connections and a strong sense of global solidarity. However, the Equi report identifies a noticeable shift toward domestic priorities, particularly among younger donors.

Third- and fourth-generation British Muslims are increasingly focusing on local challenges such as homelessness, food insecurity and child poverty, reflecting growing awareness of social pressures within UK communities. The study notes that younger professionals, in particular, are responding to visible inequalities and crises closer to home.

Polling conducted by Savanta on behalf of Equi indicates that British Muslims give around 10% more than the national average to mental health and healthcare charities. At the same time, contributions to international humanitarian causes remain significantly higher than national benchmarks, a trend the report partly attributes to greater familiarity with overseas charitable needs compared with domestic social issues.

The research highlights several organizations contributing to local impact. The National Zakat Foundation, established in 2011 to address poverty within the UK, has distributed more than £25 million to over 21,000 beneficiaries, providing housing assistance, emergency grants and employment support.

In 2023 alone, the charity allocated £7 million in zakat funds, with 76% directed toward hardship relief. Its housing program helped prevent evictions that year, generating estimated public sector savings of £28.8 million — equivalent to £73 saved for every £1 donated.

Other examples include Islamic Relief UK, which provided £5 million in grants to domestic initiatives in 2024, and Al-Khair Foundation, which contributed £300,000 to Great Ormond Street Hospital while also supporting emergency responses during events such as the Rochdale floods and the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Equi also estimates that Muslim-led youth programs contribute up to £30 million annually in avoided public costs by supporting young people at risk and reducing pressure on local services.

The report frames this trend as a structural transition in the UK’s Islamic social finance landscape, reflecting growing awareness of local socioeconomic needs alongside global obligations such as zakat and sadaqah.

Mosques as an underutilized social infrastructure
Equi highlights the potential role of more than 1,000 mosques across the UK as community hubs capable of scaling support services. With improved funding frameworks and greater policy engagement, these institutions could expand their contributions to areas such as public health outreach, youth development, and welfare support.

Barriers and policy recommendations
The report states that despite their growing impact, Muslim charities continue to face structural challenges, including de-banking risks, restrictive funding conditions, and limited institutional recognition.

Equi recommends greater collaboration between policymakers and faith-based organizations, including the introduction of match-funding mechanisms and improved faith literacy within public institutions.

The report concludes that recognizing both the moral imperative and fiscal value of Muslim philanthropy could unlock billions of pounds in additional social investment while strengthening community resilience and public service delivery.