Social Impact
Social Impact
The Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Foundation (HSDF) is the DAMAC Group’s philanthropic arm, founded by Hussain Sajwani. HSDF is committed to advancing social impact through education, youth empowerment and humanitarian relief across the MENA region. With a strong focus on future-ready skills, the Foundation has led transformative initiatives such as the One Million Arab Coders programme, the Dubai Schools Project and the Fresh Slate Initiative for social reintegration.
From supporting food aid campaigns and emergency relief to funding innovation and inclusive education, HSDF reflects DAMAC’s core values of giving back and building sustainable, empowered communities. Through impactful programmes and strategic partnerships, the Foundation continues to create meaningful change in the lives of those who need it most
Vision Statement
At DAMAC Group, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is not just a practice; it is a fundamental commitment deeply ingrained in our corporate ethos and the values of the Sajwani family, under its visionary .
The Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Foundation (HSDF), founded in 2017 by Founder and Chairman of the DAMAC Group – Hussain Sajwani, embodies this commitment, consolidating our philanthropic initiatives under a unified vision of impactful social change.
The vision of HSDF is rooted in our commitment to continuously support causes that empower underprivileged communities and unlock their full potential. Moving forward, we envision expanding our efforts to reach marginalised groups who face barriers to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
HSDF will prioritise initiatives that foster inclusivity and support communities in realising their aspirations. We aim to collaborate with local and global partners who share our vision of creating sustainable change and promoting social justice. By focusing on empowering these communities, particularly youth and vulnerable groups, we strive to cultivate environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Furthermore, our future endeavours will emphasise long-term impact and sustainability, ensuring that our initiatives not only address immediate needs but also contribute to lasting improvements in quality of life.
Through strategic planning and innovative solutions, HSDF seeks to lead by example in corporate social responsibility, inspiring others within the DAMAC community and beyond to join us in making a meaningful difference.
As we look ahead, the Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Foundation remains dedicated to advancing our mission of enhancing societal well-being, championing education, and promoting inclusivity across the regions we serve.
Together with our stakeholders and partners, we are committed to creating a future where every individual, regardless of background or circumstance, has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to a more equitable world.
Highlights
DAMAC Group partners with Emirates Red Crescent to distribute up to 10,000 meals and 5,000 Kiswat Al Eid clothing kits during Ramadan 2025
DAMAC Pledges $1 Million to Global “Every Pregnancy” Initiative, a global initiative that supports safer pregnancies and maternal health care in vulnerable communities
The Foundation supports various Dubai Cares humanitarian initiatives
Partnership with the Dubai Future Foundation to provide software development skills to one million people across the Arab world
DAMAC and the Knowledge Fund Establishment sign an MoU of AED20 million sponsorship agreement
‘Your families … our people’ initiative supported to mark International Humanitarian Day
Dar Al Ber Society – AED 100,000 to sponsor the annual Ramadan ceremony for orphans and underprivileged children.
HSDF donated AED1 million to the UAE Suqia Campaign as part of a programme aimed at giving freshwater access to 5 million people globally.
Donation extended to Emirates Red Crescent for its “Yemen We Care” Campaign
Donation made to Emirates Red Crescent for the UAE Suqia (Water Aid) Campaign
Dubai Autism Centre – donated AED 1 million to support the building of a new, high-tech care facility for children with autism.
The Foundation donated AED 3 million to the Arab Hope Makers for its Humanitarian Cause of the Year initiative.
Donation of AED 1 million made to provide 125,000 meals to communities affected by the coronavirus
Supported the Al-Tariq Rehabilitation and Autism Centre to assist and provide services for health, rehabilitation and educational care
Supported the Al Hadaf Centre for People of Determination under the UAE Ministry of Education’s Distance Learning initiative
Pledged donations to the ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign, aimed at providing food parcels for disadvantaged individuals and families across 20 countries
Announced the ‘Fresh Slate’ initiative in collaboration with the Dubai Police aimed at aiding detainees who have been charged for petty offences
Pledged support for the 1 Billion Meals initiative launched by Sheikh Mohammed
Foundation
What is the Hussain Sajwani DAMAC Foundation?
The Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Foundation (HSDF) is the philanthropic arm of the DAMAC Group, founded by Hussain Sajwani, Chairman of the Group. HSDF is committed to advancing social impact through education, youth empowerment, and humanitarian relief across the MENA region. With a strong focus on future-ready skills, the Foundation has led transformative initiatives such as the One Million Arab Coders programme, the Dubai Schools Project, and the Fresh Slate Initiative for social reintegration.
From supporting food aid campaigns and emergency relief to funding innovation and inclusive education, HSDF reflects DAMAC’s core values of giving back and building sustainable, empowered communities. Through impactful programmes and strategic partnerships, the Foundation continues to create meaningful change in the lives of those who need it most.
Mission
Our Mission
The Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Foundation aims to improve the livelihoods of others, through foundational learning and skills development initiatives that address the unmet needs of the communities that DAMAC operates in.
Why Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?
The Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Foundation (HSDF) was born from a deeply rooted commitment to give back to the community that has given the organisation so much. While our focus is on education and youth empowerment, we also engage in charitable initiatives that provide a wide range of assistance that benefit the underserved and marginalised sectors of society. HSDF has pledged AED5 million to the ‘1 Billion Meals’ campaign launched at the start of Ramadan 2022, aimed at providing food parcels for disadvantaged individuals and families across 50 countries. In a bid to allow those who digressed in conduct a second chance at life, the Foundation will collaborate with Dubai Police under an initiative called ‘Fresh Slate’ to aid detainees at the Dubai’s Punitive and Correctional Institutions charged with petty offences. The Foundation also contributed to the Dubai Schools Project, allocating AED20 million to go towards tuition for Emirati youth in need.
Additionally, in partnership with the Dubai Future Foundation HSDF supports the ‘One Million Arab Coders’ Initiative’ that was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to provide software development training to one million people across the Arab world. Other humanitarian causes that the Foundation supports include support for the Al Hadaf Centre for People of Determination, Dubai Autism Centre, and Al-Tariq Rehabilitation Centre as well as the Arab Hope Makers initiative. We will soon announce a scholarship programme that will provide assistance to Emirati students facing financial difficulties as well as a programme to support young entrepreneurs with support from a trusted finance institution. Our CSR activities will continue to remain pivotal in our mission and vision, for both DAMAC and the Sajwani family.
Our Cause
The Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Foundation is committed to advancing education and learning as its primary objective. It assesses gaps in learning, and unmet vocational skill needs within communities. It supports these gaps with initiatives that can improve economic circumstances, promote employment and create uplift.
The Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Foundation joins a network of grassroots organisations, NGOs and government bodies collaborating across the Arab world to facilitate computer and internet access for interested students.
The Foundation has collaborated with the Knowledge Fund Establishment to support the Dubai Schools project. According to the agreement, DAMAC Group will provide scholarships worth AED 20 million to go towards Emirati students’ tuition fees starting with the 2022-23 academic year.
The scholarship funding supports Dubai Schools’ objectives, which include providing state-of-the-art education to help the next generation of students keep pace with the evolving requirements of the job market. Further, it will support Dubai’s efforts to harness advanced science and technological breakthroughs to create a world-class education ecosystem.
The Foundation also launched the ‘Fresh Slate’ Initiative in collaboration with the Dubai Police General Headquarters aimed at aiding detainees in Dubai’s Punitive and Correctional Institutions who have been charged with petty offences. The initiative will cover the financial obligations of the detainees to ensure their release and safe return to their families with a new opportunity to become productive members of society.
Fresh Slate is among a trio of charitable projects being launched by HSDF in 2022, with others slated to be announced later in the year. These initiatives are part of the Foundation’s ongoing corporate social responsibility to support the education and youth sectors.
The Foundation also sponsored the Dubai Future Foundation’s ‘One Million Arab Coders’ initiative – an integrated educational programme that empowered one million Arabs with the ability to code.
