Is it permissible for a charitable organization to use zakat funds to finance its charitable activities, such as teachers' salaries and operating expenses, or are these funds designated for the needy only?

It is not permissible to disburse zakat (definition) except to the eight categories mentioned in His Almighty's saying: (Indeed, [prescribed] charitable donations are only for the poor and the needy, and those who work on [collecting] them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and for freeing captives, and for those in debt, and for the cause of Allah , and for the traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah . And Allah is Knowing and Wise.) The association, like the collector of zakat, is not permitted to use it to fund activities unless it falls under the category of (for the cause of Allah) according to some scholars.