Ways of doing charity in the UAE
One can do charity in the UAE by setting up a charitable organisation, donating and raising funds, volunteering, paying zakat and sponsoring individuals.
Setting up a charity
UAE nationals wishing to set up a charitable organisation in the UAE can apply online to Ministry of Community Development.
Expatriate residents need to submit their application to the ministry through their respective embassy or consulate in the UAE.
The ministry will consider the application and refer it to the Cabinet, which takes the final decision on registering the organisation.
In Abu Dhabi, Department of Community Development (DCD) grants initial approvals and licensing of civil society foundations and institutions of public interest.
In Dubai, the following entities can give official recognition and licenses for charitable organisations, NGOs and humanitarian relief organisations:
Charitable organisations
Government entities responsible for social, charitable and humanitarian work within and outside the UAE:
- Ministry of Community Development
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
- Zakat Fund
- National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority
- National Rehabilitation Centre
- General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments
- Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department
- Community Development Authority
- Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an
- Abu Dhabi Social Support Authority
- Social responsibility- Department of Social Services of the Government of Sharjah
Charitable organisations in the UAE:
- Emirates Charity portal
- Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation
- Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation
- Emirates Red Crescent Authority
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's foundations
- Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives
- Al Maktoum Foundation
- Dubai Cares
- Noor Dubai
- Dar Al Ber Society
- Beit Al Khair Society
- Emirates Foundation
- Charitable Associations in Dubai-Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai (IACAD)
- Organisations to volunteer with - International Humanitarian City
- Sharjah Charity International
- Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services
- International Charity Organisation-Ajman
- Fujairah Charity Association
- Al Ihsan Charity Association (Ajman)
- Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research (Ras Al Khaimah)
- Zayed Giving Initiative - the official portal of Abu Dhabi Government
- Charitable organisations in Ras Al Khaimah - the official portal of Ras Al Khaimah Government
- UAE Water Foundation (Suqia)
- Volunteers.ae
Humanitarian organisations for women:
Donating and raising funds
Federal Law No. 3 of 2021 Concerning the Regulation of Fundraising Activities ( PDF, 3.89 MB; available in Arabic) aims to regulate the fund-raising activities and donations for charities in the UAE. It pronounces the rules for charitable donations and governs the functioning of non-profit organisations. It applies to any association that wants to collect or provide donations in the country, on the mainland and in free zones. The law aims to protect fund-raisers and their funds from the risks of exploitation in financing terrorism and illegal organisations.
Who can raise funds?
Fund-raising activity, whether it is carried out through traditional or digital methods, is restricted to entities classified by law as charitable and humanitarian organisations and to government and non-government public interest institutions whose decrees, laws, or resolutions of establishment confirm that they may conduct such activities.
According to the law, natural persons are not allowed to host, organise or carry out any fund-raising activity.
How to raise funds?
Any non-profit association that wishes to raise any type of donations in the UAE, must first obtain a licence from Ministry of Community Development or a competent authority in each emirate. Additionally, fund-raising must be done through one of the licensed charities or humanitarian organisations in the UAE. Also, the applicant must:
- get the approval from the respective charity
- state the objectives of the fund-raising
- list the names and present the ID’s of the persons in charge of the operation
- mention the beneficiaries
- list the places where fund-raising will be carried out.
Penalty for raising funds through unauthorised means
Raising funds by natural persons or unauthorised organisations is punishable with imprisonment and heavy fines.
All you need to know about donations regulatory law.- MoCD
Additional regulations on fundraising
- Article 8 of Federal Law No. 4 for 2018, Concerning the Regulation and Care of Mosques prohibits collecting donations or contributions at mosques without permission from the competent authorities.
- Federal DecreeLaw No. 34 of 2021 on Combatting Rumours and Cybercrimes (available in Arabic only) bans calling for, promoting and collecting donations through online channels without first obtaining proper licensing from the competent authorities.
Paying zakat
Paying zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. Zakat is disbursed to those who are entitled to it as per the Holy Qur’an. Zakat Fund accepts zakat and allocates it to its projects and activities. It provides its services to the beneficiaries throughits partners. As of 2021, there are 21 projects and 43 payment channels.
How to apply for Zakat?
If you meet the criteria to receive Zakat as determined by the UAE’s Zakat Fund, you can request for zakat online. You can also apply for a petition to restudy your case if your request was rejected or the amount allocated is insufficient. You can check processing time for each service in the service card itself.
Zakat payment channels
You can pay Zakat through:
- Zakat Fund payment services
- Zaki platform
- DubaiNow app- Digital Dubai.
Financial sponsorship to the needy
You can provide financial sponsorship through Emirates Red Crescent Authority to:
- Poor families
- Individuals with special needs(people of determination)
- Orphans
- Needy students.
Taking care of prisoners' families
According to Federal Law No. 2 of 2001, Ministry of Community Development provides monthly assistance to the families of prisoners.
You can contribute to the care and rehabilitation of prisoners and their families in cooperation with:
Report beggars
Begging for alms is a crime. The fasting month of Ramadan historically records an influx of people arriving into the country as part of an elaborate con to raise funds, stated the UAE's Ministry of Interior. Read about UAE’s Federal Law on anti-begging and channels to report beggars.
Useful links
- Ramadan: Legal Considerations - Ministry of Interior (PDF, 100 KB)
- Maktoum Centres for memorising the Holy Quran - Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department