Erth Zayed Philanthropies

On July 15, 1971, our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan established the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development preceding the declaration of our national union of the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971. This act implanted the act of giving into the very DNA of our country. The consistency of his efforts to share the blessings of the nation set the tone that would make him known among us as Zayed El Khayr – Zayed the Generous or the Good.

Our President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan did more than merely uphold the philanthropic mantle of his illustrious father: he also expanded it in quantity and quality. This generosity has been so consistent, and carried with such a strong focus on relevance, sustainability and dependability that his leadership stands out by its deeply compassionate and human approach.

The recent creation of Erth Zayed Philanthropies brings the UAE’s efforts in philanthropy to a whole new level of relevance, and impact. This new organization marks a significant milestone in the United Arab Emirates’ commitment to global humanitarian and development efforts.

Based in Abu Dhabi under the Chairmanship of H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Erth Zayed Philanthropies is set to bring together all existing philanthropic organizations in the UAE to oversee a diverse array of programs across multiple sectors and enhance the efficiency and impact of the UAE’s philanthropic activities.

To understand the significance of this initiative, one must understand this: philanthropy isn’t only about contributing support, financial or otherwise. It also is about finding out where support is needed, finding ways to get it there, making sure that it does, and then finding ways to maximize its effect on the ground and in the lives of communities the impact of each dirham. Erth Zayed Philanthropies is a new way to maximize both relevance and impact. And this is no small feat: streamlining the UAE’s massive philanthropic influence and reach and bringing such efforts under one roof takes a great deal of strategic thinking and operational skill.

The collective philanthropic experience gathered within Erth Zayed Philanthropies will be significant, perhaps even unique in the world. The data each existing organization brings can now be maximized as a whole, using the best of AI and human experience. The conversations, the pollination, the exchanges of best practices: the possibilities that Erth Zayed Philanthropies unlock are astounding.

But Erth Zayed Philanthropies will do far more than maximizing the UAE’s philanthropic efforts. They will nurture and expand the single most precious asset of our country: the legacy of the Father of our Nation, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Through the establishment of such a powerful, inspiring organization solely dedicated to philanthropy, the values of Sheikh Zayed becomes fully ingrained into our nation’s institutions.

Orchestrating the many voices of philanthropy in the UAE into a single, beautiful polyphonic voice that resonates with Sheikh Zayed’s legacy brings elegance to the efficiency of this initiative, carrying the message of Sheikh Zayed’s generosity well beyond the borders of our nation.

However, this message should be heard at home first and foremost. As awlad Zayed (Zayed’s people), it is our duty to support Erth Zayed Philanthropies and to uphold the values that he instilled in us. Erth Zayed Philanthropies is a beacon of generosity, and beacons exist to guide us all, particularly cultural organizations. Indeed, as cultural institutions, we have a responsibility to ensure that our work aligns with the impactful direction made by HH the President through the establishment of Erth Zayed Philanthropies. Culture is a labor of creativity and innovation but also of love. As such, our organizations must strive to be forces for good and to be net contributors to societal progress and humanitarian values.

Our country and our leadership, both past and present, stand for virtue. Our cultural institutions strive to do the same, inspiring others, especially our youth, to uphold this powerful legacy.