Is it permissible for a charitable and developmental society to take a percentage of donations from Sadaqah (charity) and Zakat, designated for specific projects (such as sponsoring orphans or Ramadan food packages), to cover the costs of fundraising and the operational expenses of the society, or should these donations be allocated solely to the projects?

Charitable organizations act as agents concerning the funds they receive. An agent may only act within the limits authorized by their principal. If the principal stipulates a condition, it is obligatory to adhere to it. If no condition is stipulated, the agent may act according to what is deemed to be in the best interest. Zakat is disbursed only to its prescribed recipients according to Islamic law, and it is permissible to take a fee for its collection and distribution. As for donations, if the donors do not stipulate that they be spent on a specific cause, then it is permissible to spend them as deemed to be in the best interest. This includes, but is not limited to, staff salaries and wages, and the costs of establishing charitable projects, but only to the extent of actual need.