The Endowments and Minors’ Funds Authority (Awqaf Abu Dhabi) has announced the unprecedented success of its Life Endowment campaign, raising more than AED900 million from more than 200,000 contributions.
The campaign has exceeded its targets in record time, reflecting the growing awareness of the endowment model and its significance as a sustainable investment system. The results also highlight the UAE’s leading role in supporting humanitarian initiatives.
Awqaf Abu Dhabi confirmed that it will continue to welcome contributions to the Life Endowment campaign, which launched on 19 May 2025 under the slogan With You For Life to enhance the sustainability of healthcare services and cover treatment costs of patients suffering from chronic illness, as well as People of Determination and senior citizens.
The Life Endowment campaign is part of the Healthcare Endowment initiative, launched by Awqaf Abu Dhabi in May 2024 with the aim to raise AED1 billion over a five-year period to enhance the sustainability of healthcare services.
The campaign raised funds to create an endowment that will support the treatment of people with chronic illness and People of Determination, as well as invest endowment proceeds in enhancing healthcare services and providing medications to patients.
The campaign also aims to maximise the returns of the endowment and direct them toward healthcare programmes that improve quality of life and help build a healthy, sustainable society. The initiative seeks to promote the concept of endowment as a development tool that supports social solidarity, and highlights the UAE’s pioneering role in supporting charitable and humanitarian initiatives and promoting social investment.
The Life Endowment campaign’s significant success was thanks to generous donations by the UAE leadership, as well as national institutions and businesses, philanthropists, and community members, with results reflecting the community’s belief in the endowment model as a tool of sustainable funding and social investment.
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation, and Mother of the Nation, has contributed AED172 million to the Life Endowment campaign by endowing an entire building. Her Highness also directed the renaming of the building from Deena Tower to Life Tower to emphasise the campaign’s humanitarian mission.
Under directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Chairman of the Presidential Court, His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, has approved the allocation of AED100 million from Erth Zayed Philanthropies to the campaign.
As part of the campaign, Awqaf Abu Dhabi announced a number of supporting endowment projects. These include the Awqaf Abu Dhabi - Community Centre project valued at AED50 million, and a AED70 million real estate endowment project in partnership with Aldar Properties.
His Excellency Abdulhamid Mohammed Saeed, Chairman of Awqaf Abu Dhabi, extended his warmest congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, on the successful completion of this blessed campaign.
His Excellency said: “The Life Endowment campaign has provided a pioneering model for transforming endowments into an innovative financial tool that allows for the efficient investment of endowment assets to generate sustainable returns that support key sectors and enhance the quality of life. Exceeding its target by raising more than AED900 million, the campaign demonstrates a growing public awareness of the endowment's power to drive positive social impact.
“The remarkable community engagement and generous contributions from individuals and organisations highlight the deeply ingrained culture of giving and social responsibility within the UAE. This reflects a strong understanding of endowment as a sustainable financing tool that benefits both individuals and the community. Awqaf Abu Dhabi will continue to welcome contributions, enabling everyone to participate in the growth and impact of endowments.”
His Excellency emphasised that the Life Endowment campaign's success signifies a turning point in the concept of modern and sustainable endowment. Through partnerships with leading national entities, the campaign launched diverse and innovative endowment projects, managed with a focus on maximising returns and achieving long-term financial sustainability.
His Excellency said: “Awqaf Abu Dhabi remains committed to implementing clear strategies focused on maximising waqf returns and directing them towards vital sectors, especially healthcare, which is fundamental to improving lives and achieving sustainable development in the UAE.”
His Excellency Fahad Abdul Qader Al Qassim, Director General of Awqaf Abu Dhabi, said: “The remarkable success of the Life Endowment campaign reflects the deeply ingrained culture of social solidarity and generosity that defines the UAE, its people, and residents. This widespread community engagement transcends a simple response to a humanitarian campaign; it demonstrates a fundamental national value where contributing to charitable work is both a collective responsibility and a national honour.”
He noted that the campaign launched as part of the Healthcare Endowment initiative, which aimed to raise AED1 billion over five years, and that the response it garnered underscores public trust and a deep understanding of endowment’s importance as a sustainable financial and development tool.
His Excellency said the campaign's impact extends beyond its significant financial contributions, vital as they are for sustaining healthcare services and supporting those in need. The campaign has become a strategic national platform, conveying important social messages and promoting developmental values that Awqaf Abu Dhabi reinforces through its broader institutional efforts.
He said: “The Life Endowment campaign, launched during the Year of Community declared by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, powerfully demonstrated the strength of the UAE's social fabric and the spirit of solidarity, cohesion, and compassion among its people. This highlights a strong social awareness and a deep sense of responsibility towards national service and development.”
His Excellency emphasised that the campaign provides concrete evidence of the growing public awareness of endowments as sustainable development tools, supporting vital sectors and directly impacting quality of life. This embodies Awqaf Abu Dhabi's core mission of empowering society and utilising endowment resources for the nation's overall development.
