What Human Relief Foundation does

Human Relief Foundation (HRF) is a UK-registered Islamic humanitarian charity founded in 1990 and headquartered in Bradford, England. The organisation enables Muslims in the UK and globally to fulfil religious charitable obligations — Zakat (2.5% annual wealth), Qurbani (Eid al-Adha sacrifice), Sadaqah, and Fidyah/Kaffarah — while delivering emergency relief and long-term development programmes to refugees, orphans, widows, and impoverished communities across 15+ countries, including Bangladesh, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Pakistan, Yemen, Jordan, Ghana, Somalia, Sudan, and Sri Lanka. Its core operational stack combines an online donation platform accepting card and direct debit payments, scheduled Ramadan giving tools, an automated Qurbani fulfilment workflow using locally sourced animals in 13+ countries, and a volunteer deployment programme (Mission 1 Million) that sends fundraisers to field locations after meeting £5,000–£6,000 minimum fundraising thresholds. The technology layer is not proprietary — HRF relies on standard payment processing and Google Analytics — with value delivery executed through human field operations rather than software.

HRF's revenue model is donation-driven across eight streams: Zakat, Qurbani, Sadaqah, Fidyah/Kaffarah, general donations, emergency appeals, orphan sponsorship, and direct debit regular giving. Distribution is omnichannel: a global online platform, UK-based phone and postal donation lines, seven physical charity shops across London (five locations) and Glasgow (two locations), and country offices in Iraq (Baghdad, Erbil, Mosul), Pakistan (Islamabad), Jordan (Amman), Yemen (Aden, Tarim), and Ghana (Accra). The stated cost discipline targets less than 10% overhead, ensuring the majority of funds reach beneficiaries. Go-to-market is community-led through mosque partnerships (Bradford Sunni Muslim Khalifa Society, Roshni Women's Group), school Islamic societies (Wellington School), and event-driven fundraising (Walk 4 Hope, community clean-ups, Eid auctions). Donors are primarily UK Muslims with growing global reach; beneficiaries span refugees, orphans, widows, and impoverished communities in conflict and disaster zones.

Name

Human Relief Foundation

Legal name

Human Relief Foundation

Website

https://hrf.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Short description

UK-registered Islamic humanitarian charity founded in 1990 in Bradford, enabling Muslims globally to fulfil Zakat, Qurbani, and Sadaqah obligations while delivering emergency relief and development programmes across 15+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Humanitarian Aid and Islamic Charitable Giving

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries (BPAGAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH), Medical Missions & Global Health NGOs (BPAGACAI)

Keywords

• Humanitarian aid services
• Islamic charity giving
• Zakat distribution
• Emergency relief appeals
• Orphan sponsorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Bradford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices19 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Zakat Donations: Collection and distribution of obligatory Islamic Zakat (2.5% of qualifying wealth) to eligible beneficiaries including orphans, widows, refugees, and the poor as defined in Quran Surah At-Tawbah 9:60. Donors can specify country and cause.
2. Qurbani Services: Sacrifice of animals during Eid al-Adha with meat distributed to families in need. Working in 13+ countries with locally sourced animals. In 2025 delivered to approximately 25,000 families.
3. Sadaqah Donations: Voluntary charitable giving outside of obligatory Zakat, supporting emergency relief and development projects. Can be one-time or recurring.
4. Fidyah & Kaffarah: Compensation payments for those unable to fast during Ramadan, distributed to feed those in need.
5. General Donations: Unrestricted donations supporting ongoing humanitarian work across food, water, orphans, refugees, livelihoods, and healthcare programmes.
6. Emergency Appeals: Time-limited fundraising campaigns for specific crises such as Bangladesh floods, Lebanon emergency, Palestine emergency, and Rohingya appeal.
7. Orphan Sponsorship: Ongoing sponsorship programme providing education, healthcare and support to orphaned children.
8. Direct Debit Regular Giving: Monthly recurring donations through direct debit for donors wanting consistent charitable giving throughout the year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Human Relief Foundation collects and distributes Islamic charitable donations (Zakat, Sadaqah, Qurbani, Fidyah, Kaffarah, general appeals) from Muslim donors in the UK and worldwide, and delivers humanitarian aid programmes (food security, clean water, orphan sponsorship, refugee care, vocational training, healthcare) to beneficiaries in 15+ countries through its own international field offices, local staff, and the Mission 1 Million volunteer deployment programme.

Product overview

Human Relief Foundation (HRF) operates as a charitable organisation with a multi-channel product portfolio rather than a unified software platform. The core offering combines an Online Donation Platform enabling one-time and recurring donations via card and direct debit, with Islamic giving programmes including Zakat, Qurbani, and Fidyah. Development programmes span food security, clean water access, orphan sponsorship, refugee care, vocational training, healthcare, and sustainable housing (Bangladesh Eco Village). Operational tools include safeguarding reporting and automated Ramadan giving schedules. The Mission 1 Million deployment programme combines spiritual tourism with humanitarian aid delivery. Physical retail is provided through charity shops in UK cities. The organisation does not offer a developer API or SDK products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Donation Platform
• Zakat Donation Programme
• Qurbani Programme
• Mission 1 Million Deployments
• Emergency Appeals
• Food Projects
• Water Projects
• Orphan Sponsorship Programme
• Refugee Care Programme
• Vocational Training Programme
• Healthcare Programmes
• Bangladesh Eco Village
• Direct Debit Giving
• Charity Shops
• Ramadan Schedule Donation Automation
• Iraq Refugee Reintegration Programme
• Palestine Emergency Gaza Aid
• Waladi Textile Factory Rehabilitation (Mosul)

Quantifiable outcome

• 25,000 families received Qurbani in 2025, with goal to double to 50,000 in 2026
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with UNRWA in Jordan for delivering emergency assistance to Gaza. HRF works alongside UNRWA partners to coordinate aid convoys and mobile kitchen operations.
• Ataa Human Relief AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTurkish partner organisation for earthquake response in southern Turkey and northern Syria. HRF teams worked with Ataa to deliver food, clothing and shelter to earthquake victims in Sarmada, Azmarin, Gaziantep and Kahramanmaraş.
• Roshni Women's GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBradford-based women's community group that fundraises for HRF's Palestine Emergency Appeal. Raised nearly £2,000 during learning workshops and children's activities at their education centre.
• Bradford Sunni Muslim Khalifa Society (BSMKS)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBradford mosque society that raised £23,000 for HRF's worldwide projects including Palestine and Lebanon emergency appeals.
• Wellington School Islamic SocietyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSchool Islamic Society that raised £1,280 for HRF's water well project in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka through Eid fundraiser including prayer mat auction.
• Bradford4BetterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal organisation partnering with HRF for Big Bradford Summer Clean Up event supporting Bradford City of Culture 2025.
• Integrated Humanitarian AssistancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Rohingya refugee support providing vocational training (sewing machines and training) to refugees in Cox's Bazar camps.
• External Assessment Agency (Mosul)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to identify roadblocks preventing Waladi Textile Factory from scaling operations and achieving long-term commercial viability in post-ISIS Mosul.
• Nineveh Central Electricity Distribution DirectoratecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial business relationship secured - signed MoU for future purchase orders of uniforms and other materials from rehabilitated Waladi Textile Factory.
• Nineveh Electricity Network BranchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial business relationship secured through signed MoU for future purchase orders supporting factory's long-term commercial viability.
• Hamlets Hike & Trek Club (HHTC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHiking and trekking club that organises fundraising walks for HRF including Walk 4 Hope events. Previously completed 50-mile London to Cambridge walk raising £33,000 for Turkey/Syria earthquake victims.
• The Design House (Altrincham)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal interior design company that donated fabric used by Year 7 students to craft prayer mats for Wellington School's Eid fundraiser auction.
• Mosul UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCash-for-work programme where 120 workers are rejuvenating university gardens through cleaning, renovations, and planting new trees and flowers. Involves university professors and students.
• Hive (Bradford arts charity)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBradford arts charity providing guest speakers and activities at HRF's She Thrives women's mental health event.
• Happy Health YouminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWell-being practitioners providing sessions at HRF's She Thrives women's mental health event in partnership with Roshni Women's Group.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Al-Khair Foundation: UK-based Islamic humanitarian charity running Zakat, Qurbani, emergency appeals, water projects, and orphan sponsorship programmes across the same conflict geographies as HRF (Yemen, Syria, Gaza, Rohingya). Closely overlapping direct-competitor on product and geography.
• Penny Appeal: UK-headquartered Muslim charity with strong digital fundraising engine, focused on emergency appeals, orphan sponsorship, Ramadan/Qurbani giving, and water projects. Competes with HRF for the same UK Muslim donor pound with a more tech-forward GTM.
• SKT Welfare: UK-based Muslim charity delivering emergency relief, food aid, Qurbani, and orphan sponsorship to similar geographies (Gaza, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Africa). Comparable scale and donor base to HRF.
• Islamic Relief Worldwide: The largest UK-headquartered Muslim humanitarian charity, operating in 40+ countries with full Zakat/Sadaqah/Qurbani/Fidyah programmes. Directly comparable on faith-based mandate, donor base, and programme categories (food, water, orphans, refugees, Qurbani), but operates at materially larger scale.
• Muslim Aid: UK-based Islamic charity founded 1985, providing emergency relief, orphan sponsorship, and Qurbani across multiple countries. Same faith-based UK donor base and similar Zakat/Sadaqah/Qurbani product set as HRF.
• Human Appeal: Manchester-based UK Islamic charity delivering emergency relief, orphan care, food security, and Qurbani in over 25 countries. Directly comparable mission, regulatory footprint, and donor segment to HRF.

Broad incumbents

• Mercy Corps: Large global humanitarian organisation operating cash-for-work, livelihood, food security, and refugee reintegration programmes — directly overlapping with HRF's Iraq reintegration (750 participants, Al Hol returnees) and Rohingya vocational training work.
• UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees): UN agency providing Palestinian refugee services — a strategic partner of HRF in Jordan and Gaza. Operates in the same refugee geography on a vastly larger scale and represents the institutional incumbent HRF co-delivers with.
• Concern Worldwide: International humanitarian NGO with emergency response, food security, livelihoods, and refugee programmes across similar geographies (Middle East, East Africa, South Asia). Comparable operational footprint without the Islamic-faith positioning.

Regional players

• Islamic Relief USA: US affiliate of Islamic Relief Worldwide with the same faith-based humanitarian mandate and similar programmes. Comparable organisational model but operates in North America rather than the UK/European donor market HRF primarily serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HumanReliefFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/humanreliefoundation
• Xtwitter.com/HRFofficial
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@humanreliefoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/humanrelieffoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Human Relief Foundation