Fathers’ Endowment campaign raised $1bn in Ramadan

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced that the Fathers’ Endowment campaign has achieved unprecedented success and raised double its target in under a month, affirming that the campaign will go on and contributions will be welcome throughout the year.

The campaign, which Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid launched on February 21, aims to honour fathers in the UAE by establishing a sustainable endowment fund, with proceeds dedicated to providing treatment and healthcare to the less fortunate.

Fathers’ Endowment campaign

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said: “As Ramadan concludes in the Year of Community, our society has demonstrated remarkable cohesion and solidarity in its dedication to humanitarian causes, embodying the values of giving and generosity.

“The unprecedented success of the Fathers’ Endowment campaign, with broad participation from institutions, businesses, and individuals, underscores the unwavering commitment of the UAE, its leadership and people, to unity in doing good and inspiring hope for all.

“In the spirit of Ramadan, our nation is united in love and generosity. As the Fathers’ Endowment campaign concludes, we are delighted by this overwhelming community support, in honour of fathers who remain the pillars of strength and stability for families and societies. May God protect all fathers.

“The Fathers’ Endowment is a new success amplifying the UAE’s mission of championing solidarity in the face of humanitarian challenges, and adopting sustainability as the foundation of impactful philanthropy”.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid thanked all contributors to the campaign, emphasising that these initiatives, among the largest of their kind addressing pressing humanitarian needs, solidify the UAE’s role as a primary supporter of human empowerment and societal development.

This support, Sheikh Mohammed noted, is delivered through sustainable development programs focused on creating a demonstrably better future for all, marked by progress and prosperity.

The Fathers’ Endowment campaign saw enthusiastic community engagement and a surge of generosity aimed at honouring fathers and supporting disadvantaged communities through improved and sustainable healthcare.

This support seeks to enhance the quality of life for all, fostering stability and driving development across various sectors.

Launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during Ramadan, the campaign achieved unprecedented success in record time. Contributions poured in through various channels, including the initiative’s website, SMS messages (for du and e& UAE users), bank transfers, the campaign’s call centre, the “Dubai Now” app, and the “Jood” community contributions platform.

Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) affirmed that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision champions a new approach to charitable and humanitarian work.

This vision prioritises sustainable humanitarian support and fosters a culture of giving where collective action drives positive change.

It also focuses on supporting sectors that directly empower individuals, enhance their quality of life, and contribute to the stability and development of societies.

Al Gergawi stated that the Fathers’ Endowment campaign, reaching AED 3.72bn ($1bn) in just one month during the Year of Giving, powerfully demonstrates the UAE’s deeply ingrained values of generosity, solidarity, and family unity.

Al Gergawi added that supporting healthcare remains a top priority for MBRGI, given its vital role in improving lives.

Through its specialised programs, MBRGI strives to elevate healthcare standards for diverse groups in disadvantaged communities.

This year’s Fathers’ Endowment campaign received huge support from major contributors, including Azizi Developments contribution of AED3bn ($817m).

This contribution, the largest individual private sector contribution in UAE history, will fund a humanitarian medical complex in Dubai, comprising a hospital, research centre, and medical training facility, significantly enhancing the UAE’s healthcare sector.

Built to the highest international standards, the complex, along with other endowment buildings in Dubai, will be funded by this generous contribution.

Education entrepreneur and philanthropist Sunny Varkey and his family announced a contribution of AED100m (27.2m) in support of the campaign and its aims

Additionally, endowment buildings will be developed by several real estate developers to support the goals of the campaign.

These include Imtiaz Developments (AED50m), Peace Homes Development (AED50m), SAMANA Developers (AED40m) and Buimerc Corporation Ltd. (AED20m).

Proceeds of these endowments will go towards supporting healthcare in underserved communities, including developing hospitals, providing essential medical equipment and medications, expanding capacity, and upgrading operating rooms.

These investments will create sustainable opportunities to enhance the quality of life for those in need.

Key events supporting the Fathers’ Endowment campaign contributed to its record success. Those include the Most Noble Number charity auctions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which raised a total of AED167,461,000.

The Most Noble Number auction in Dubai yielded AED 83,784,000 (AED75.9m for RTA vehicle plate numbers, AED 4.732m for mobile numbers from e& UAE, and AED3.045m for mobile numbers from du).

The Most Noble Number online charity auction, organized by the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), which operates under the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi, raised another AED83,784,000 from 444 special plate numbers.

Building upon previous Ramadan campaigns launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Fathers’ Endowment campaign aims to establish the culture of endowment as a development tool, while at the same time, it promotes the values of honouring parents, kindness, compassion and solidarity.

It also reinforces the UAE’s leading humanitarian role.

Continuing the legacy of successful Ramadan campaigns launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, it follows initiatives like:

• The “10 Million Meals” campaign in 2020, which raised over 15.3m meals
• The “100 Million Meals” campaign in 2021, which collected 220 million meals
• The “1 Billion Meals” in 2022, which achieved its goal in under a month
• The “1 Billion Meals Endowment” in 2023, which raised AED1.075bn ($293m)
• The Mothers’ Endowment campaign in Ramadan 2024, in honour of UAE mothers, aimed to create a AED1bn ($272m) endowment for global education and has surpassed its goal, raising over AED1.4bn ($382m)