SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Millions of dirhams have poured in since the "Mother of the Nation Endowment for Orphans" was announced a week ago. While each contribution is a single act of giving, Awqaf Abu Dhabi is ensuring the impact lasts a lifetime.
Launched under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the initiative aims to create and provide a continuous stream of support for children in the UAE who have lost their parents.
The aim is to build a "family circle" around these children and surround them not only with the things they need, but with love, care, and a sense of belonging, said Fahad Abdulqader Al Qassim, Director General of the Endowments and Minors Funds Authority (Awqaf Abu Dhabi).
"The UAE is the family of the orphans living with us," he told Aletihad.
Unlike traditional charity where donations are typically spent immediately on beneficiaries' needs, this fundraiser follows an endowment model built for sustainability. "It is built around long-term value creation," he said.
Al Qassim explained that funds raised will be invested in local and regional markets. The returns will then be channelled into UAE programmes supporting orphans' education, healthcare, food, shelter, living expenses, and other essentials.
"The endowment model is not time-bound. It is a permanent model; so it goes forever," he said, noting that some endowments in Abu Dhabi are more than 100 years old.
Every month, Dh5,000 is required to support a child. With nearly 2,000 orphans of different nationalities set to benefit from the initiative, the authority estimates Dh120 million is needed every year to provide comprehensive care.
For an endowment to meet annual requirements, donations are invested following global best practices, with capital protected under Sharia and civil law, Al Qassim said.
Each endowment has its own board of trustees overseeing fundraising, investment and spending, supported by dedicated investment and spending committees.
Awqaf Abu Dhabi sets strategic asset allocation and investment policies, with monitoring and diversification guided by third parties to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure long-term sustainability, Al Qassim said.
He emphasised that all funds remain protected as endowment capital, with returns directed only to beneficiaries and designated causes.
Under this model, the ultimate measure of success is social impact, Al Qassim said. And in the case of "Mother of the Nation Endowment for Orphans", that difference will be seen in thriving children who go to school, receive proper care when they are sick, and feel the steady, loving family support they can always rely on.
On the operational side, governance structure, investment performance, and spending effectiveness are also key indicators of success, ensuring that sustainable returns continue to fund long-term care and support for the children, Al Qassim said.
For Awqaf Abu Dhabi, making a difference through well-structured endowments will continue for years to come. In fact, several ideas are already in the pipeline, the director general added.
Beyond healthcare and orphan support, future areas may include education, family-related initiatives, housing, SMEs, and entrepreneurship.
The endowment model is "a very strong tool" that can be applied to any priority that requires sustainable funding, Al Qassim said. And every contribution, no matter the size, can help create long-term impact.