Aldar commits Dh100m to Mother of the Nation Endowment for UAE orphans initiative
Contribution announced during Zayed Humanitarian Day event in Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI – Aldar Group has committed Dh100 million to support the Mother of the Nation Endowment for Orphans initiative, launched by the Endowments and Minors’ Funds Authority – Awqaf Abu Dhabi under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
The initiative seeks to establish a sustainable endowment that will fund long-term care and support for orphans across the country.
The announcement comes as the UAE marks the Year of Family, a national theme focused on strengthening family cohesion and reinforcing the values that support resilient communities. Through the initiative, financial contributions are channelled into structured investment assets, with returns directed towards programmes that support the wellbeing and development of orphaned children.
National initiative
Under the endowment model, donations are transformed into investment funds designed to generate long-term returns. These returns are then allocated to essential areas including education, healthcare and daily living needs for orphans, creating a stable and enduring support system.
The approach is intended to ensure that assistance is sustainable, enabling beneficiaries to access opportunities that support personal development and integration into society. By building a permanent financial base, the initiative aims to provide continued support for generations of young people.
The contribution was announced at an event held at Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi, coinciding with Zayed Humanitarian Day, which commemorates the humanitarian legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Among those present at the event were Abdul Hamid Mohammed Saeed, Chairman of Awqaf Abu Dhabi; Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Aldar; Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Secretary-General of Erth Zayed Philanthropies; Fahad Abdul Qader Al Qassim, Director General of Awqaf Abu Dhabi; Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aldar; and Fahad Mohamed Al Amri, Executive Director of Development and Humanitarian Affairs at the Presidential Court and Managing Director of Erth Zayed Philanthropies Fund.
Leadership’s vision
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Aldar, said the initiative reflects the principles guiding the UAE’s continued development and the values of compassion, responsibility and social cohesion. He noted that organisations across the country have a shared responsibility to contribute to national progress and strengthen society.
He added that the endowment highlights the importance of collective action in building a future defined by shared prosperity and opportunity.
Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aldar, said the company views sustainable development as closely linked to community wellbeing. He described the endowment as an initiative rooted in the UAE’s traditions of solidarity and social responsibility, emphasising that long-term partnerships are key to delivering meaningful social impact.
According to Al Dhiyebi, the contribution supports a comprehensive approach to ensuring that young people receive the care and opportunities needed to pursue education and personal growth.
Humanitarian legacy
The initiative reflects the values championed by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, widely known as the Mother of the Nation. She serves as Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation.
Her longstanding advocacy for family wellbeing, women’s empowerment and child welfare has shaped numerous social and humanitarian programmes across the UAE.
The Mother of the Nation Endowment for Orphans also aligns with the country’s broader humanitarian approach, which has established the UAE as a leading global contributor to charitable and development initiatives.
Awqaf Abu Dhabi noted that the programme reflects its continued commitment to aligning philanthropic initiatives with national priorities while supporting the long-term interests of society. The organisation emphasised that the endowment structure ensures donations remain productive assets that generate ongoing support for vulnerable groups.
With the Year of Family placing renewed focus on social cohesion and community wellbeing, initiatives such as the national endowment are designed to reinforce the foundations of support that enable families and young people to thrive.