Dubai: No matter how good your intentions are, fund raising for charity purposes in the UAE needs to be legalised, in order to ensure credibility.
There are currently 128 Public Utility Associations (social welfare organisations) in the UAE, many of them are charitable organisations.
Any person who wishes to set up a charitable organisation has to ask for permission from the Ministry of Social Affairs before starting to operate in the country.
One must apply for the approval to declare the organisation to the Public Utility Associations Department at the ministry which in turn approves or declines the application within 60 days.
To set up a charitable organisation in the country one has to be UAE national. Any expatriate, who wants to set up a charitable organisation, has to submit the application to the ministry through his/her embassy or consulate.
The ministry first examines the application and then refers it to the Cabinet which takes the decision on whether the organisation can operate in the country.
Corporate bodies can also set up charitable organisations.
To start the organisation you need to have 20 founding members that are above the age of 18.
They have to enjoy full civil capacity and must be of good conduct and have not been convicted over any crimes of honour. The members must hold their first general meeting and attach the minutes of the meeting to the application.
They also need to select a temporary board of directors which should also hold its first meeting. The minutes of this meeting must also be attached to the application.
Other documents required include the organisation's proclamation which could be found in both Arabic and English can at the ministry's website www.msa.gov.ae.
Moreover, Articles of Association, names of all founder members, passport copies and identification documents. There is no fee applied by the ministry for setting up a charity organisation.
Who is eligible to set up a charity organisation under the Ministry of Social Affairs:- UAE Nationals n Must be above 18 years old
- Must enjoy full civil capacity
- Must be of good conduct and have not been convicted over any crimes of honour.
- Expatriate who wishes to set up a charity organisation needs to apply to the ministry through his/her Embassy or consulate.
Documents needed
- Three copies of the organisation proclamation application. n Three copies of the minutes of the first general meeting of the organisation.
- Three copies of the minutes of the temporary board of directors meeting.
- Three copies of the list with the names of all founder members.
- Articles of association n Passport copy and identification documents of the founder members.
