What is the difference between a donation and Waqf?

Answer

While every donation is not Waqf, every Waqf is a donation. Donation is a gift. Every gift is not Waqf. When land is made Waqf for a Musjid for example, then such land cannever be sold or bartered away or alienated in any way whatsoever. It will remain the institution for which it was dedicated whether a Musjid or a Madrasah or an orphanage or a qabrustaan. Ownership of a Waqf land vests in only Allah Ta'ala.

On the other hand, a donation of land may be made to a person who becomes the owner of the land. It will not be Waqf. It will become the property of the person to whom the gift was made.