At Daffy, our mission is to help people be more generous, more often. One of the most inspiring aspects of the Daffy community comes from the wide range of faiths and philosophies that drive our members to give. Generosity is a core value shared across faiths and cultures worldwide.

Last year, Daffy launched an innovative new platform to give our members even more opportunities to align the way their donor-advised funds are invested with their giving. Daffy now supports over 460 different low-cost ETFs from high-quality providers.

One of the most powerful aspects to the new platform is its new flexibility. So when our members request new investment options, we listen. After our launch, we received several requests for new ETFs. Daffy members like Yusuf reached out requesting an investment option that better aligned with their giving based on Islamic principles:

"For me, it’s important that my charitable giving aligns with my values, even before the funds are donated. So, investment options that adhere to my principles make all the difference. For example, making sure that my investments are not made in the gambling, alcohol, or weapons manufacturing sector.”
— M. Yusuf Mohamed, Daffy member since 2024

Since many of our members celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, we’re proud to announce the addition of two Halal investment options: the Wahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF (Ticker: HLAL) and the SP S&P 500 Sharia Industry Exclusions ETF (Ticker: SPUS). With these two new options on our platform, Daffy members have even more flexibility to align their donor-advised fund with their principles & beliefs.

How to Add New ETFs to Your Donor-Advised Fund

While charitable giving is central to most major religious faiths, a surprising number of donor-advised funds lack the capability to support new options like these funds. At Daffy, we see this flexibility as critical to help our members be more generous by giving them the comfort that their charitable dollars will be invested according to their values.

By adding the $HLAL and $SPUS ETFs to our investment options, we aim to make it easier for those who want to give in a way that aligns with their faith to set aside funds for charity—not just during Ramadan, but year-round.

To make a recommendation to invest your DAF balance in the $HLAL or $SPUS ETFs, simply select it within our Custom Portfolio feature. This provides you the flexibility to align your charitable giving with your faith while tailoring to your specific risk tolerance and investment objectives.

The Tradition of Giving During Ramadan

Ramadan, the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar, is a time of spiritual reflection, fasting, prayer, and charity. For Muslims, it is an opportunity to strengthen their connection with God and renew their commitment to generosity. As Daffy member Yusuf explains:

"Observant Muslims pay zakat annually, which comes out to 2.5% of their net worth, to charity. So, these ETFs help me fulfill a religious obligation by ensuring that the donations I make are also coming from halal, or permitted, wholesome sources."
— M. Yusuf Mohamed, Daffy member since 2024

Zakat, one of Islam’s five pillars, requires Muslims whose wealth exceeds a certain threshold (nisab) to donate 2.5% of their qualifying assets each year to those in need. While Zakat is a unique obligation in Islam, the principle of charitable giving is deeply embedded in many faiths. In Christianity, tithing involves giving 10% of one’s income to the church or charitable causes. In Judaism, tzedakah is seen as a moral duty to support those in need.

"As a Muslim, I embrace the Islamic principle of Zakat by setting aside 2.5% of my eligible wealth annually for charitable giving. By saving consistently throughout the year, I ensure I'm prepared to fulfill this societal deed and offer additional Sadaqah during Ramadan, embodying the Quranic wisdom that our good endeavors are multiplied in Allah's sight.”
— Yoga Prakasa, Daffy member since 2023

Many Muslims also practice Sadaqah, a voluntary charity given throughout the year. Sadaqah extends beyond financial donations to acts of kindness, reflecting Islam’s broader emphasis on compassion and generosity.

This makes Ramadan one of the most spiritually significant times to give because:

🌙 It fosters spiritual growth: Giving purifies wealth and cultivates empathy, aligning with Ramadan’s introspective nature.

🌙 It strengthens community: Ramadan emphasizes caring for those less fortunate. Charitable giving deepens communal bonds and ensures that everyone can share in the blessings of the month.

🌙 It brings blessings and rewards: Many believe that acts of charity during Ramadan bring multiplied blessings, especially on Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power), which falls within the last ten nights of the month and is considered the most sacred night of the year.

Yet, the significance of charitable giving extends beyond Ramadan itself. For many Muslims, generosity is not just a seasonal practice but a lifelong commitment. Shared by one of our Daffy members, this belief is beautifully captured in a well-known hadith:

"When a person dies, his deeds end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who prays for him."
— Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), narrated by Abu Huraira

This teaching shows why many Muslims view Ramadan as not just a time for increased worship and giving, but as an opportunity to establish lasting charitable habits—ones that continue to benefit both the giver and the wider community for generations to come.

At Daffy, making giving a habit is one of our foundational concepts.

Make the Most of Your Ramadan Giving

This Ramadan, in addition to investing in the new ETFs, here are some ways Daffy can help you maximize your giving:

🔁 Automate Your Zakat: Set up recurring contributions to your Daffy fund based on your Zakat calculations.

🗓️ Plan Your Giving: Schedule your donations throughout the month of Ramadan to support your favorite charities.

💸 Maximize Tax Benefits: Maximize your charitable impact and receive a tax deduction for the full fair market value by contributing appreciated stocks or ETFs to your Daffy fund. You'll also avoid paying capital gains taxes on the appreciation. Use our free calculator to estimate the potential savings of donating an ETF versus cash.

🎁 Ramadan Daffy Gift: Share the gift of giving this Ramadan with a Daffy Gift, a digital gift card for charity. In just seconds, you can send your digital charity gift card along with a personal message to friends and family.

"I've been a fan of Daffy since I joined in 2021. Thank you to the Daffy team for adding Halal ETF investment options. It's important to me that the money I donate to charity is invested in assets that reflect my moral and ethical standards. The Daffy Gift feature is also a great way to share the gift of giving with friends and family during Ramadan and throughout the year."
— Imran Maskatia, Daffy member since 2021

Give With Daffy

We’re proud to offer investment choices that reflect the diverse backgrounds and beliefs of our members. So whether you prefer conservative portfolios of cash or bonds, low-cost index funds, ESG-rated investment portfolios, modern crypto portfolios, or the new ETFs you can find the right match for your philanthropic goals.

With Ramadan in full swing, now is the perfect time to set up your giving plan, automate your Zakat, and make generosity a lifelong habit. As Yusuf eloquently put it:

“Ramadan is a time for personal reflection and spiritual growth. I encourage others to consider the world around them and find ways to improve it, whether it is to alleviate poverty, support civilians in war-torn areas, or advocate for justice and peace.”
— M. Yusuf Mohamed, Daffy member since 2024

We wish all of our Daffy members a blessed and generous Ramadan. Ramadan Mubarak!