The National Zakat Foundation (NZF), the UK's sole nonprofit dedicated to collecting and distributing zakat (charitable donations) within the Muslim community, has improved its response time by 80%. This advancement is crucial as the UK faces a cost of living crisis, increasing the demand for their assistance.
Utilizing Microsoft Power Platform and Microsoft Copilot Studio, NZF has streamlined its application evaluations, enabling quicker access to urgent aid. Through Dynamics 365 and a unified data model, the organization has enhanced reporting, collaboration, and donor communication.
NZF is focused on maximizing its charitable impact while remaining cost-effective. According to a study from Indiana University, for every pound spent by NZF, the UK government saves 73 pounds in welfare costs.
Atif Qureshi, Board Adviser, highlights that Microsoft’s low-code approach enables staff to create tailored applications, improving accessibility for applicants with varying literacy and language skills. For example, staff developed a user-friendly set of forms embedded in their website.
The organization also introduced 'Zaki,' a generative AI chatbot, to answer donor inquiries more efficiently, further expanding their knowledge resources.
Before implementing these technologies, NZF's grant applications took four to five months for processing. With new automated systems, they have reduced this time significantly. Now, applications can be reviewed in just hours, and in some cases, individuals can receive funds on the same day.
NZF leverages Dynamics 365 to track donations and communicate effectively with donors about the impact of their contributions. The ZakaTracker tool ensures that individual preferences regarding their donations are honored.
The organization is committed to fostering community connections between donors and recipients, and through improved reporting systems, they are able to demonstrate the effective use of donations. This transparency has led to increased support from larger donors.
As Monir Mohammed, Head of Technology, states, “We hold the community together so it can support itself,” emphasizing the role of technology in enhancing their outreach and efficiency.