One of the UK’s fastest-growing charities has appointed a new number two to “take fundraising to the next level”.
Last month, Islamic Relief Worldwide reported 2022 income of £234m – up from £183m in 2021 and £130.3m in 2019.
Now it is targeting even greater growth and today announced the appointment of Zia Salik as deputy director of Islamic Relief UK, where the global charity is based.
Salik has been Islamic Relief UK’s head of fundraising since November 2018, since when income has soared.
A press release said he was ready to “take fundraising to the next level”, and his comments backed that up.
“People’s willingness to give is truly inspiring, whatever their own situation, I can’t fathom the selflessness,” Salik said.
“I hope in my new role we can take our fundraising even further, something which I know is possible given the sheer generosity of our community.”
Salik joined the charity as a volunteer 23 years ago. He was a committed volunteer for Islamic Relief for 10 years before deciding to work for the charity full-time, joining as a fundraiser for the North region of the UK in 2010.
Since then, he has progressed through the fundraising department, working as national events and challenges co-ordinator and national community fundraiser, implementing many successful campaigns and initiatives along the way.
The press release said: “Some examples include the ‘cake campaign’, which he started as a fundraiser in Bradford, that now raises £100,000s a year, or the highly successful ‘Pakistan one year on’ campaign in 2011 after 2010’s devastating flash floods, which raised £1m for those affected.”
It said a “key component” of Salik’s strategy would be “placing the donor at the centre of the work to better engage with them and drive fundraising”.
Salik said: “Islamic Relief has been a big presence in my life for as long as I can remember. Even before I started volunteering during college, I would see the work the charity did with my father, who was the Imam of our local Mosque in Hull and supported Islamic Relief throughout his life.
“I’ve been honoured to represent the charity, whether that’s taking part in fundraisers at home in the UK or being in the field seeing the good work we do being put into action.”