A Pivotal Redefinition of Philanthropy and Strategic Donations Takes Place in the UAE
A Revolutionary Shift in the UAE's Philanthropy Landscape
The philanthropic sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Founded on a rich heritage of faith, unity, and community, it is now taking shape as a dynamic force for profound change and innovation. Philanthropy's reach is expanding, pursuing a purpose that transcends conventional notions of benevolence and aligns with the UAE's ambitious, forward-looking ethos.
To comprehend this transformation, I have had the privilege of conversing with over 50 global thought leaders, including eminent figures from the UAE, whose insights inform my book, The Business of Philanthropy.
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At the heart of this change is the burgeoning recognition that philanthropy can fund novel, high-impact solutions that governments or businesses might find difficult to tackle alone. Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, President of the American University of Sharjah and Kalimat Foundation, posits, "Philanthropy is risk capital, we can and should take risks and go where others are unable to." This risk-taking attitude fosters a more entrepreneurial model of philanthropy, where this sector becomes a vital catalyst for bold experimentation and deep-rooted transformation.
Business leaders who've transitioned into philanthropists are increasingly applying the same principles that powered their commercial success to their charitable endeavors. Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of Mashreq Bank and Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation's Chair, emphasizes the importance of focusing on clear, specific goals, as one would in business.
The Arab region has a longstanding tradition of philanthropy, with Islamic giving practices like Zakat and Sadaqah generating between $400 billion and $1 trillion annually, making Islamic philanthropy one of the world's most substantial sources of charitable capital. The Gulf states' philanthropy is estimated to be around $210 billion yearly. Now, a new generation of philanthropists is redefining this legacy by bringing structure, strategy, and systems thinking to their charity. This evolution is driven not just by the accumulation of wealth but by an understanding of the need to shift from tackling symptoms to eliminating root causes. Fadi Ghandour, Executive Chairman of Wamda Group, concisely sums it up, "When you do it strategically, you're thinking carefully about the long-term impact."
Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani, President of the Arab International Women's Forum, underlines the crucial role of youth in this transformation, stating, "Our youth are the future of the region, and they have outstanding ideas about the social changes that they want to see happen in their communities and in their countries."
Technology is energizing this transformation, making philanthropy more accessible, efficient, and inclusive. Platforms like crowdfunding and blockchain-powered audits represent the dawn of new models of giving. Big data is also shaping a new understanding of impact. Muna Al Gurg, Vice Chairperson of Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, remarks, "In a world that is increasingly digitized, there's going to be more data than we know what to do with, which in the world of philanthropy is a high-quality problem to have."
AI is further amplifying this potential, helping donors identify needs, predict outcomes, and optimize impact. Given the UAE's significant investment in AI, particularly through initiatives like MBZUAI and the recently announced 5-gigawatt UAE-US AI Campus, the nation is uniquely positioned to spearhead the convergence of technology and philanthropy. However, the challenge remains—how can we ensure technology serves to empower the underserved rather than overwhelming them? The answer lies in merging innovation with sincerity and grounding every technological leap in human connection.
With an estimated $70 trillion in global wealth transferring to Generation X and millennials in the next few decades, including $26 trillion across Africa and Asia, the UAE is exceptionally poised to determine the future of philanthropy. One of the earliest proponents of this social investment shift, Sheikh Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, founder of the Barjeel Art Foundation, beautifully encapsulates the spirit of this changing landscape by saying, "If you want people to innovate, you need to give them a sense of belonging."
Razan Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, reminds us, "You cannot protect nature with funding alone - you must protect it by empowering those individuals that protect nature and whose very lives and livelihoods are intertwined with its fate."
The call to action emerging from these discussions is clear: we must construct the philanthropic infrastructure our future demands - not only by increasing giving but by improving giving - with data, collaboration, and scale in perspective. This includes investing in research, regulation, convening platforms, and talent pipelines, all aimed at professionalizing and sustaining the field. It also involves fostering a culture of giving that is inclusive of youth, women, and marginalized communities - not just as recipients, but as creative partners. Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, founder of the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, powerfully articulates the philanthropist's role as an "unshakable bridge for people to cross over from problems to solutions."
In conclusion, we stand at the precipice of a new era in philanthropy, where strategic investing in the future of our communities and planet becomes the norm. As the UAE continues to be a global hub of talent, opportunity, and innovation, it has the power to guide what strategic philanthropy can look like in the 21st century: inclusive, entrepreneurial, and built to last.
Badr JafarBadr Jafar is the CEO of Crescent Enterprises, a multinational company headquartered in the UAE whose leadership...More|Contact Us|Senior in Dallas, You Could Earn 4% Interest at These Banks| Flight Attendant Reveals How Seniors Can Fly Business Class for the Price of Economy || Seniors Born 1941-1979 Receive 55 Benefits This Month if They Ask || Ask A Pro: "I'm 70 with $1.4M in IRAs. Should I Convert $120K/Year to a Roth?" || Bone On Bone? This Knee Sleeve Will Transform Your Knees Back || Easy Trick to Protect Your Kids From Mosquitoes (They Can't Stand This) || Sleep Apnea Patients Call This Pillow a "Total Life Saver" || Seniors Born 1939-1969 Receive 16 Benefits This Month If They Ask || Project Agora Presents: Fly Business Class for the Price of Economy|| Project Agora Insights: Senior-Friendly Savings Accounts|| The Wamda Group Reveals Secrets to Strategic Philanthropy among Seniors || The Kalimat Foundation: A Driving Force Behind the UAE's Strategic Philanthropy || Ali Jafar: A Visionary Guiding the UAE's Strategic Philanthropy Movement || FP7MCC: Transforming API catering for the UAE's Strategic Philanthropy || Erth Zayed Philanthropies: A Collaborative Approach to Transformative Philanthropy in the UAE || Adriel Hampton: Exploring the Future of Giving in the UAE || Future of Philanthropy in UAE: Growth, Strategy, and Inclusion || The Digital Transformation of Philanthropy in the UAE || The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington: Understanding Philanthropy in the Gulf || Philanthropy Impact: Empowering Collaborative Philanthropy Worldwide || Global Giving: Expanding the Reach of Philanthropy with Data-Informed Giving || Brhaspati Sarkar: How AI and Machine Learning Can Transform Philanthropy in the UAE || Khalifa University: Pioneering Research in AI and Philanthropy || UAE University: Advancing AI and Philanthropy Research for Systemic Change || Global Community Impact: Tackling the World's Greatest Challenges with Strategic Philanthropy || Abu Dhabi Fund for Development: Enhancing Philanthropy's Impact for a Sustainable Future |
- The growing recognition in the philanthropic sector is that it can fund unique, high-impact solutions that businesses or governments might find challenging to address alone.
- Business leaders who have transitioned into philanthropists are applying the same principles that powered their commercial success to their charitable endeavors, focusing on clear, specific goals as they would in business.
- With the increasing digitization of the world, technology is energizing philanthropy, making it more accessible, efficient, and inclusive, through platforms like crowdfunding, blockchain-powered audits, and strategic uses of big data and AI.
