People often use these three terms as if they mean the same thing. They do not, and the difference matters for how a foundation is allowed to spend what you give.
Zakat
Obligatory. 2.5% of qualifying wealth held for a lunar year. It may only be given to the categories of recipient named in the Qur’an — the poor, the needy, those in debt, and others. It cannot be spent on administration, salaries or overheads.
Sadaqah
Voluntary, and can be given at any time in any amount. It carries no threshold and no fixed rate. Because it is unrestricted, it can fund the things Zakat cannot — running a medical camp, maintaining a water pump, keeping a field team on the road.
Fitrana (Zakat al-Fitr)
A small fixed amount paid per household member before the Eid prayer at the end of Ramadan. It is due on behalf of every person in the home, including children. Its purpose is to make sure nobody is left out of Eid.
When you send us a transfer, telling us which of the three it is means we can allocate it correctly. Zakat goes to a separate ledger and is never mixed with general funds.