Department of Awqaf launches “Family Endowment Initiative”

November 26, 2025 / 2:15 PM

Sharjah 24: Declaring 2026 as “the Year of Family” in the United Arab Emirates, the Sharjah Department of Awqaf launched the “Family Endowment Initiative” to reinforce the family's role in instiling the authentic values of cooperation, communication, and harmony that characterise Emirati society and passing them on to future generations to ensure their continuity.

This initiative also contributes to establishing the concept of the family endowment as an enduring practice that perpetuates the family name and strengthens the spirit of solidarity among its members.

Three options

The Department has provided three main options for participation: first, real estate endowment, such as land, houses, and apartments, with the proceeds designated as an endowment for the benefit of the family or charitable causes as specified by the endower; second, financial endowment, which allows for the allocation of funds to be invested in approved endowment channels; and third, the endowment of shares or bonds, with their returns permanently dedicated to the benefit of the family or development projects.

To streamline procedures, the Department has made the initiative available through its previously launched "Taawun" platform. This platform allows family members to establish a family endowment by logging in with their digital ID and launching dedicated online campaigns for financial contributions. It also provides an online portal for applications related to real estate, stock, and bond endowments, along with endowment consultation sessions that explain the models, governance, and documentation mechanisms, ensuring clear procedures and a smooth endowment process. The Department also follows up on required documents, such as proof of ownership and clearance certificates for the property, in coordination with the relevant authorities.

Building a sustainable endowment legacy

Participating families enjoy several benefits, including receiving the "Endowment Family" badge and the opportunity to have their family's charitable stories featured in the media for those who wish to do so. This contributes to raising awareness of the culture of endowments and encourages other families to embark on this charitable endeavour.

The Sharjah Awqaf Department invites all families to take advantage of this initiative, which represents an opportunity to build a sustainable endowment legacy that bears the imprint of ancestors and parents, reinforces the values of benevolence and charity, and contributes to community development through endowments whose benefits will accrue to future generations.