ADCB partners to deliver initiatives that promote positive social and economic outcomes throughout the Emirates and in our communities. This work reinforces UAE values, supports UAE national causes and celebrates UAE heritage. In addition to the initiatives described below, ADCB has also contributed and supported the Al Faraj Fund, Awqaf Endowment Fund, Rashid Disabled Center, Make-a-Wish Foundation, UAE Sport Talent Fund, Al Ain Disabled Center, Al Jalila Foundation and the Ministry of Social Development.
The National Fund is a social initiative which embodies the UAE priorities to enhance sustainable development by reinforcing social participation and strengthening national unity for the UAE and Emirati people through a government-private sector collaboration. The Fund focuses on four key areas that directly impact the nation and its citizens: sponsoring talented individuals, providing professional guidance to develop young local talent, encouraging start-up commercial projects with a social impact, and supporting applied research and innovation. For more information, visit http://sandooqalwatan.ae
ADCB sponsors the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival each December to pay homage to the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, and to honour the rulers of the seven Emirates. Located at the Al Wathba Desert Camp, the festival celebrates UAE culture and reflects the rich diversity of UAE heritage including folklore dances, traditional shopping, horse and camel riding, and sumptuous dishes from the region. In the past, ADCB has also hosted a VIP hospitality suite as well as a majlis tent for children and families that featured arts and crafts, stilt walkers, and many more creative and fun activities.
Created in the vision of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed, the Al Bayt Mitwahed Association provides an open platform for UAE communities to give back to society through programs and events that celebrate unity, foster the feeling of solidarity and sense of duty, and contribute to addressing community needs that align to the nation's priorities.
The Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation was established in 2007. Its strategies focus on health and education to support its vision of "Pioneering Initiatives for Welfare" through partnerships with global organizations affiliated with the United Nations and public welfare organizations. As part of our annual support of the Ramadan Campaign, ADCB contributed AED 500,000 in 2019 similar to the past several years, to help support this UAE-wide initiative to provide approximately 1.8 million Ramadan Iftar meals, distributed in 105 locations across the UAE. The Ramadan Campaign provides some 600 UAE national families with a source of business income from providing meals during the Holy Month of Ramadan. ADCB's contributions were combined with those from other contributors to facilitate this business venture, buy supplies and arrange operational support, and enable each family to prepare approx. 100 meals per day during the Holy Month.
Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam, and obliges all Muslims who meet the necessary criteria of wealth to contribute a percentage of surplus cash to identified Muslim causes. ADCB's Islamic Banking Division helps Muslims meet their obligation through a strategic alliance with the Zakat Fund UAE, the federal authority which specializes in the acceptance of Zakat and spending it on the needy in order to achieve widespread social development for the individuals and families residing in the UAE and to promote mutual helpfulness and integrity within the communities across the UAE. ADCB Islamic Banking created an internet banking platform to enable customers to pay their Zakat.
ADCB has partnered with Emirates Foundation for Youth Development to support programmes that improve the welfare of youth. These programmes focus on social inclusion, leadership, empowerment and community involvement. Partnership programmes also address regional concerns such as financial literacy, disadvantaged females, and UAE nationals with special needs.
For more information about our work with the Emirates Foundation to promote financial literacy in the UAE, visit the Financial Literacy section.