SELECTION
Charities to Know in the UAE
Organizations helping people, animals and communities across the country.
The UAE is home to some of the Arabian Peninsula’s most fascinating wildlife. Alongside national symbols like the falcon and Arabian oryx, its deserts and mountains are inhabited by rare sand cats, striped hyenas, Arabian leopards and other species perfectly adapted to one of the harshest environments on Earth. Some are deeply connected to Emirati culture, while others are so elusive that few people ever see them in the wild.
Al Jalila Foundation. Photo credit: Instagram @aljalilafoundation
One of the UAE’s leading charitable foundations focused on healthcare, medical research and patient support. The organisation funds life-saving treatments, medical education, research programs and community health initiatives, while also helping families who cannot afford critical care.
Founded by Dubai Health, Al Jalila Foundation became one of the country’s most recognized philanthropic organisations and regularly runs fundraising campaigns supporting cancer treatment, children’s healthcare and medical innovation across the UAE.
Founded by Dubai Health, Al Jalila Foundation became one of the country’s most recognized philanthropic organisations and regularly runs fundraising campaigns supporting cancer treatment, children’s healthcare and medical innovation across the UAE.
Al Jalila Foundation
Emirates Environmental Group (EEG). Photo credit: Instagram @eegemirates
Environmental protection has been at the core of EEG’s work since 1991. The organisation is best known for nationwide recycling drives, tree-planting campaigns and sustainability programs that bring together schools, businesses and thousands of volunteers across the UAE.
Over the years, EEG has become one of the country’s largest environmental nonprofits, helping turn community participation into real environmental impact.
Over the years, EEG has become one of the country’s largest environmental nonprofits, helping turn community participation into real environmental impact.
Emirates Environmental Group (EEG)
Emirates Red Crescent
Founded in 1983, Emirates Red Crescent is one of the UAE’s largest humanitarian organisations, supporting communities both locally and internationally. Its work ranges from emergency relief and food aid to healthcare, education and orphan support programs.
The organisation regularly leads large-scale fundraising campaigns and humanitarian initiatives, making it one of the most visible charitable institutions in the country.
The organisation regularly leads large-scale fundraising campaigns and humanitarian initiatives, making it one of the most visible charitable institutions in the country.
Photo credit: thenationalnews.com
Stray Dogs Center
Home to hundreds of rescued animals, Stray Dogs Center is the UAE’s largest dog shelter and one of the country’s best-known animal welfare organizations. The team rescues abandoned and neglected dogs, provides medical care and rehabilitation, and works to find them permanent homes through adoption programs.
Beyond donations, visitors can support the shelter through volunteering, fostering and adoption, making it one of the most hands-on ways to help animals in the UAE.
Beyond donations, visitors can support the shelter through volunteering, fostering and adoption, making it one of the most hands-on ways to help animals in the UAE.
Stray Dogs Center. Photo credit: Instagram @straydogscenter
Ma’an
Created by the Abu Dhabi government, Ma’an connects residents, businesses and nonprofits with social projects that need support. The platform focuses on areas like education, healthcare, sustainability and community wellbeing, making it easier for people to volunteer, donate or contribute their skills.
Since its launch, Ma’an has funded dozens of social initiatives across Abu Dhabi and helped channel support toward projects creating measurable impact in local communities.
Since its launch, Ma’an has funded dozens of social initiatives across Abu Dhabi and helped channel support toward projects creating measurable impact in local communities.
Ma’an. Photo credit: Instagram @maanabudhabi
Dubai Foundation for Women and Children
Created to protect women and children facing abuse, violence and human trafficking, this government-supported organisation provides shelter, counselling, legal assistance and rehabilitation programs. The foundation works closely with social workers, healthcare professionals and law enforcement to offer long-term support and protection.
Beyond emergency assistance, DFWAC also runs awareness campaigns and educational initiatives focused on family wellbeing and child protection across the UAE.
Beyond emergency assistance, DFWAC also runs awareness campaigns and educational initiatives focused on family wellbeing and child protection across the UAE.
Dubai Foundation for Women and Children. Photo credit: Instagram @dfwac
Dubai Cares
Access to education is the main focus of Dubai Cares, one of the UAE’s most recognized charitable organizations. Since its launch in 2007, the foundation has supported millions of children and young people through schools, teacher training programs, scholarships and emergency education initiatives in dozens of countries.
What started as a local initiative has grown into a global nonprofit working to improve learning opportunities for communities facing poverty, conflict and displacement.
What started as a local initiative has grown into a global nonprofit working to improve learning opportunities for communities facing poverty, conflict and displacement.
Dubai Cares. Photo credit: Instagram @dubaicares
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Date of the article's release: spring 2026