Is it permissible to use donation funds for promotional purposes?

Short answer

Using public donations for a beneficial purpose such as promoting the donation drive is permissible if the donors give their consent.

Federal TerritoriesFatwa committee decision

A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.

Authority: Federal Territories Mufti Office
Status: Fatwa committee decision
Series: Keputusan Fatwa Wilayah Persekutuan (e-Fatwa)
Topic: Transactions & Finance

No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.

Summary

Using public donations for a beneficial purpose such as promoting the donation drive is permissible if the donors give their consent. Consent may be obtained when the collectors state clearly in their advertisement that part of the funds will cover promotion and advertising costs. The amount used must be only what is necessary and spent prudently. If funds have already been collected, the collectors must first inform donors and obtain their consent before using part of the funds for advertising.

Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.

Hukum menggunakan wang sumbangan orang ramai untuk tujuan kebaikan seperti mempromosi sumbangan adalah harus jika mendapat keizinan daripada penderma.

Excerpt from the original fatwa · Federal Territories

Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)

How to cite

Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.

Federal Territories Mufti Office. “Hukum Menggunakan Duit Kutipan Derma Untuk Tujuan Promosi”, date not stated. https://efatwa.muftiwp.gov.my/fatwa/HUKUM%20MENGGUNAKAN%20DUIT%20KUTIPAN%20DERMA%20UNTUK%20TUJUAN%20PROMOSI. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/using-donation-funds-for-promotion-ruling/