Is Penny Appeal USA a legitimate charity?

Penny Appeal USA, founded in 2016, is a US-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. You can independently verify its finances on the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, linked on this page. Note for Canadian donors: US charities generally cannot issue CRA official donation receipts, so donations usually don't qualify for the Canadian donation tax credit.

Does Penny Appeal USA have a Charity Navigator rating?

Yes - Penny Appeal USA has an independent profile on Charity Navigator, which publishes accountability and finance data drawn from its public filings. We treat that independent rating as one of three signals in our 0–3 transparency score.

What countries does Penny Appeal USA work in?

Penny Appeal USA runs programs in Yemen, Palestine, Pakistan, Somalia, Bangladesh.

Does HalalWallet take a cut if I donate to Penny Appeal USA?

No. Your donation - including Zakat - goes to Penny Appeal USA in full. HalalWallet never touches donor funds. If a charity is a paid partner, any fee comes from its own marketing budget and is clearly disclosed; it never affects the transparency score or ranking.

Penny Appeal USA

Q: Is Penny Appeal USA Zakat-eligible?

Yes. Penny Appeal USA accepts Zakat and directs it to recipients within the eight Quranic categories (asnaf). Publishes a detailed public Zakat policy enumerating the eight categories of eligible recipients (asnaf); administers Zakat as an Amanah. Source: pennyappealusa.org/zakat

Alexandria, VA Global (multi-region)Founded 2016 Zakat-eligible

2/3Strong transparency

Independently reviewed by HalalWallet · Last reviewed September 2026

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Should you give your Zakat to Penny Appeal USA?

Penny Appeal USA scores 2/3 on HalalWallet's transparency scale and is Zakat-eligible. US arm of Penny Appeal (UK, founded 2009). Built on a small-recurring-donations model for high-impact projects.

Source: HalalWallet (halalwallet.ca)

About Penny Appeal USA

Founded in 2016, Penny Appeal USA is a distinct US 501(c)(3) (separate from its UK namesake) built around a small-recurring-donation model that funds orphan care, clean-water wells, food, and emergency relief in Yemen, Palestine, Pakistan, Somalia, and Bangladesh. On roughly $7.2M in annual revenue, it publishes one of the most detailed public Zakat policies in this directory, explicitly enumerating the eight categories of eligible recipients and administering Zakat as an Amanah.

Where they work: Yemen, Palestine, Pakistan, Somalia, Bangladesh

Palestine & Gaza Yemen Somalia & East Africa Pakistan Bangladesh & Rohingya

Causes & programs

Orphan Care Water & Sanitation Emergency Relief Food Security Healthcare

Zakat policy

Publishes a detailed public Zakat policy enumerating the eight categories of eligible recipients (asnaf); administers Zakat as an Amanah. Source: pennyappealusa.org/zakat

Always confirm a charity's current Zakat policy on its own website before giving. 100% of your donation goes to Penny Appeal USA - HalalWallet never takes a cut.

HalalWallet editorial note

Verified against IRS / ProPublica records (EIN 47-5165837). A distinct US 501(c)(3) from the UK-based Penny Appeal.

Compare Penny Appeal USA head-to-head

vs Islamic Relief Canada vs Islamic Relief USA vs National Zakat Foundation Canada vs Human Concern International

Transparency score

2/3

Strong transparency

Public Sharia/Zakat policyThe organization publicly states how it handles Zakat and the eight categories of eligible recipients.
HalalWallet verifiedWe confirmed the charity's registration, good standing, active website, and a working donation page.
Independent third-party ratingAn external evaluator (e.g. Charity Navigator, ECOSOC status, or major-foundation grantee) provides outside accountability.