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We've gathered a list of the IACAD authorised charities based here in Dubai for you to show your support
1 September 2016
| Last updated on 9 June 2017
To protect the process of fundraising in the UAE, laws are in place to ensure residents and organisations are legally covered when it comes to public calls for donations.
The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) have in place a law that regulates fund-raising for charitable causes, which if violated, can land an individual in jail.
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In fact, the law also covers online activity for individuals based in Dubai and the UAE, which prohibits them for making public calls for donations or advertising any fund-raising campaign through all forms of media, without obtaining prior written approval from the IACAD.
Violate the law in place, and you could face between two months and one year in jail, with a fine ranging from AED 5,000 to AED 10,000 depending on a court's decision.
But while these legal practices may be somewhat off-putting for any charitable individual out there, don't be disheartened. They're in place for the right reasons, as they ensure that any money raised for a charitable cause reaches the right people.
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Simply put, residents and organisations who are eager to carry out a fund-raising event for a good cause, or collect donations for a charity, should first approach a registered charity authorised by the IACAD and place a request. The application will then be examined and approved within 14 working days.
Currently, there are only nine charities approved and licensed by the IACAD, which are authorised to collect donations and oversee charity events in Dubai.
Are you wanting to fundraise for a good cause? We've got a list of them all, with a short bio of each, to help you get started with your activities.
1. Al Maktoum Foundation
Launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai in May 2007, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation has since led and implemented pioneering programmes aimed at establishing Dubai and the UAE as the centre for knowledge and research.
MBRF aims to empower future generations and enable them to devise sustainable solutions to facilitate the process of knowledge and research in the Arab World. The Foundation is committed to create knowledge-based societies throughout the region by funding research projects, activities, and initiatives. It nurtures ideas and innovation while focusing on its main pillars which are education, entrepreneurship, and research & development.
2. Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber is Considered one of the first charities in the UAE. It was established in Dubai in 1399 Hijri, 1979 AD as per the ministerial decree No. (23/78) issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs as a charity, cultural & social firm. Dar Al Ber Board of Directors has been formed according to the directives and decisions of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
3. Dubai Charity Association
The idea of the committee arose when a group of charitable individuals from Dubai gathered and worked hard to make ideas become a reality. The committee was declared by the Ministerial Decree No. 28/1980. The goals of the committee are specific, and they lead in providing humanitarian services and to help the needy.
4. Beit Al Khair Society
In 1989, an elite group of businessmen in Dubai come up with a humanitarian initiative of setting an association of public benefit to operate exclusively in the UAE, using the state-of-the art technical and administrative tools. The association was named "Beit Al Khair Society" and was declared by the Ministerial Decree No. 41/1989.
The chief aim and drive of the founders was to actively participate in alleviating the hardship of their fellow citizens, and provide assistance to whoever resorted to them once they verify how truly deserving they are. Nay, rather than waiting to be approached for help; they search the needy people and reach out those who refrain to ask for help out of modesty.
Since inception, the Society endeavored to extend a helping hand to needy families and deserving segments through a package of projects and schemes it delivers, evaluates, enhances and expands all to serve the poor, the destitute, the widows, the divorcees, the low-income, the patients, the families of prison inmates, the victims of disasters, the defaulters, the insolvents, the debtors, people of special needs and the orphans.
5. Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian & Charity Establishment
The Establishment is one of the most highly active establishments in the field of charitable and humanitarian work on both local and foreign levels; and since its registration, it has shouldered the responsibility to reach to the needy, whether they are inside or outside of the UAE.
The Establishment aims for the achievement of high human principles through providing aid to the needy. It futher contributes to the international relief and rescue processes in areas affected by disasters and scourge of wars, and aims to help the poor through various forms of aid.
It is also involved in building places of worship, schools, hospitals, dwellings, and in drilling wells, among other facilities, in and out of the UAE.
6. Dubai Foundation For Women and Children
The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) is the first licensed non-profit shelter in the UAE for women and children victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and human trafficking. It was established in July 2007 to offer victims immediate protection and support services in accordance with international human rights obligations.
7. Emirates Red Crescent
UAE Red Crescent Authority was established on 31/01/1983 and gained the international recognition as a member No.: 139 of the International Federation of Red Crescent and Red Cross on 08/27/1986.
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His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan took the position of the Chairman of the Board of the Red Crescent in 1986, and then took the position of the Chairman of the Authority in 1993, which gave impetus to the efforts of the human Authority.
In 1997, the role of the Authority had been enhanced by the acceptance of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, for the position of the honorary president of the UAE Red Crescent.
In 2001, the UAE Red Crescent had been selected as the second best humanitarian Autjority at the level of the continent of Asia.
8. Noor Dubai Foundation
Noor Dubai Initiative was launched in September 2008 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai with a vision of a world free from preventable forms of blindness.
9. Dubai Cares
Launched in September 2007 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Cares expresses the UAE's commitment to achieving, by 2015, the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (UN MDG) 2 and 3 0 namely, to guarantee universal primary education and to promote gender equality, respectively.
