Abu Dhabi’s Department of Community Development enacts fundraising policy

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Community Development (DCD) has launched the Abu Dhabi Fundraising Policy, as part of the authority’s broader strategy to strengthen the culture of giving and community contributions within society.

The policy regulates fundraising activities, protects donors’ funds, and enables the DCD to perform its duties, which include regulating, licencing, controlling and supervising fundraising activities.

The policy regulates all fundraising activities including collecting, receiving, and presenting in-kind and cash donations in the city through regular and digital means. It also covers the geographical area of Abu Dhabi, including all its regions and free zones.

The department said the policy is aimed at strengthening the fundraising system by issuing regulatory tools, supervising the implementation of legislation, and monitoring all aspects of fundraising activities.

The DCD will take measures, in coordination with the concerned authorities, to deal with suspected violations. The policy also aims to govern fundraising activities in Abu Dhabi by establishing and implementing a unified electronic record, created using the most modern technology.

Abu Dhabi’s fundraising policy

Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the DCD said that the Abu Dhabi Fundraising Policy will lead to an increasingly positive impact on society.

“The policy is in line with best practices used to ensure that donations are delivered to eligible groups and that donor funds are protected. The department, in cooperation with strategic partners, continues to develop and design policies and implement social programs to achieve our vision of providing a decent life for all,” said Al Dhaheri.

“The policy will help set up an enabling regulatory framework that provides guidelines for fundraising activities, which would enhance the community’s sense of confidence and safety when donating,” said Mohamed Helal Al Balooshi, executive director of the Community Engagement and Sports Sector at the DCD.

“We hope that through this policy we can enhance social responsibility among members of the community and encourage them to actively contribute to positive impact in Abu Dhabi.”

Al Balooshi said the department will collaborate with partners and licenced entities to implement the new policy through a series of meetings and workshops, where provisions will be reviewed.

Similarly, the department will work with relevant authorities to implement the policy’s objectives through the help of the evaluation committee, which will review applications and permits and evaluate entities according to the Efficiency Measurement and Evaluation System.

“We will monitor the standards by which we apply the policy, while continually seeking opportunities for improvement by regular updating to the policy and ensuring its quality is maintained.”

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