Faraj Fund
Faraj Fund is an Abu Dhabi-based UAE charitable non-profit established by ministerial decree in 2009 to release insolvent inmates from debt-related imprisonment and support their families, operating digital donation channels and partnering with UAE Islamic banks and government entities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Faraj Fund does
Faraj Fund (صندوق الفرج) is a UAE charitable non-profit organization headquartered in Abu Dhabi, established in 2009 by Ministerial Decree No 300 (amended by Decree No 305/2010) under the patronage of HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. The organization operates under the supervision of the UAE Ministry of Community Development and is governed by a board of directors chaired by Khalil Daoud Badran. Its mission is to release insolvent inmates held in UAE penal and correctional institutions for civil debt, blood money (diya), court fees, and related financial obligations, and to provide financial and in-kind support to their families during incarceration and after release.
The fund's core product portfolio consists of three interconnected program verticals: the Debt Relief Fund (paying outstanding debts to secure inmate release), the Ticket Fund (covering repatriation travel costs for released expatriate inmates), and the Family Support Fund (providing financial and in-kind assistance to families that have lost their primary breadwinner). Sub-brands include the Furejat initiative (a Dubai Islamic Bank partnership) and the Eidaty initiative (supporting children of inmates). The delivery infrastructure is primarily digital: a bilingual (Arabic/English) donation web portal with case-specific tracking, native iOS and Android applications, an SMS donation system with preset amounts (AED 1, 10, 50, 100, 200), social login (Facebook, Google), and payment processing via Visa, MasterCard, and Apple Pay. Physical operations are limited to a single Abu Dhabi headquarters office.
Faraj Fund's revenue model is donation-based rather than commercial. It draws on three streams: individual donations via web/app/SMS (variable amounts, case-specific or initiative-directed), institutional Zakat funding concentrated among UAE Islamic banks (Dubai Islamic Bank AED 5M, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank AED 1M in 2021), and corporate sponsorship across 12+ institutional partners. The fund has reported cumulative impact of 38,966 prisoners released and 14,515 families supported since inception, with the 2021 Eid Al-Adha campaign alone distributing AED 9,417,918 and releasing 103 inmates. The organization employs 11 people, relies on ministerial backing for institutional legitimacy, and works in cooperation with UAE courts (Dubai Courts, Sharjah Court) for case-flow pipelines.
Faraj Fund firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Faraj Fund
- Legal name
- Faraj Fund (صندوق الفرج)
- Website
- https://farajfund.ae
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Faraj Fund is an Abu Dhabi-based UAE charitable non-profit established by ministerial decree in 2009 to release insolvent inmates from debt-related imprisonment and support their families, operating digital donation channels and partnering with UAE Islamic banks and government entities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Faraj Fund industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Humanitarian Charitable Services
- NAICS
- Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Trust Funds & Multi-Donor Pooled Funds (BPADAOAE), Emergency, Stabilization & Crisis Response Financing (BPADACAM)
Keywords
Where Faraj Fund is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Abu Dhabi
- HQ country
- United Arab Emirates
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices2 records
Markets served
Faraj Fund business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: General public and individual donors contribute funds to help release insolvent inmates and support their families. Donations can be directed to specific prisoner cases or general initiatives.
- Institutional/Zakat Funding: Major UAE banks and Islamic financial institutions provide substantial Zakat funds. Dubai Islamic Bank donated AED 5 million and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank donated AED 1 million specifically for releasing insolvent inmates.
- Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors support the fund's initiatives through financial contributions and partnerships, including various UAE companies and charitable organizations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Donation/ grant-funded | Pay-as-you-go | SMS Donation Options |
| Donation/ grant-funded | Pay-as-you-go | Online Prisoner-Specific Donations |
| Donation/ grant-funded | Pay-as-you-go | Initiative Donations |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Faraj Fund product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Faraj Fund is a UAE government-backed charitable organization that collects and distributes donations to release insolvent inmates from correctional facilities by settling their outstanding civil debts, blood money (diya), court fees, and judicial expenses. The fund also provides financial and in-kind assistance to the families of incarcerated individuals and funds repatriation tickets for released expatriate inmates. Donations are accepted through an online portal, SMS, mobile apps, and direct bank transfers.
Product overview
Faraj Fund operates as a charitable organization with a unified product offering centered on humanitarian assistance to release insolvent inmates from debt and support their families. The core portfolio consists of three interconnected fund programs: the Debt Relief Fund (for paying inmate debts), the Ticket Fund (for repatriation), and the Family Support Fund (for supporting prisoners' families). Additional digital services include an SMS donation system, online donation portal, and mobile applications for iOS and Android platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Furejat Initiative: A collaborative initiative with Dubai Islamic Bank to support the release of insolvent inmates
- Eidaty Initiative
- Family Support Fund
- Debt Relief Fund
- Ticket Fund
Products and services
- Debt Relief Fund Core fund focused on supporting individuals incarcerated in correctional and penal facilities for financial issues. Raises money to help inmates with outstanding debt they are unable to resolve from prison.
- Ticket Fund Fund to assist inmates being released and facing deportation by providing travel tickets home for themselves and in some cases their families. Aims to minimize financial burden upon release.
- Family Support Fund Program providing financial and in-kind assistance to families of incarcerated individuals who previously relied heavily on the inmate's financial support. Offers hope by providing aid to help families sustain themselves after loss of primary income.
- Faraj Fund Mobile App (Android) Official Android mobile application available on Google Play Store for donating and accessing Faraj Fund services.
- Faraj Fund Mobile App (iOS) Official iOS mobile application available on Apple App Store for donating and accessing Faraj Fund services.
Quantifiable outcome
- 38,966 prisoners released since establishment
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Faraj Fund
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Faraj Fund technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature2 records
Faraj Fund partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Dubai CourtsminorDelegation visit to strengthen ties between Faraj Fund and Dubai Courts and discuss ways to enhance cooperation.
- Beit Al Khair FoundationcoreA delegation from Faraj Fund visited Beit Al Khair Foundation to discuss enhancing cooperation between the two charities in the fields of community humanitarian work. Both organizations share common goals in charitable and humanitarian initiatives.
- Sharjah Charitable SocietyminorDelegation from Faraj Fund visited to exchange ideas and strengthen cooperation between the two sides in charity, humanitarian, and community work.
- Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Charitable FoundationminorDelegation visit to discuss opportunities to expand cooperation in supporting insolvent inmates and their families.
- Fujairah Foundation for Regions DevelopmentminorA Memorandum of Understanding was signed to renew cooperation with the Foundation aimed at alleviating the suffering of insolvent inmates and their families by releasing them and renting homes for them.
- Fujairah Charitable SocietyminorDelegation visit to open avenues to strengthen cooperation between the two charitable organisations.
- Sharjah CourtminorDelegation visit to Sharjah Court to strengthen institutional cooperation.
- Dubai Foundation for Women and ChildrenminorDelegation visit to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between the two organizations in supporting vulnerable groups.
- Saqr Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi Foundation for Charitable and Humanitarian WorksminorDelegation visit to discuss and strengthen cooperation between the two parties in charitable and humanitarian work.
- Ministry of Community Development (UAE)coreFaraj Fund works under the supervision of the Ministry of Community Development which supports all social and humanitarian initiatives aimed at social solidarity and strengthening partnership with various government institutions.
- Ministry of Interior (UAE)coreThe fund operates under the patronage and guidance of HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. The Ministry provides oversight and support for the fund's humanitarian initiatives.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Faraj Fund competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Dubai Charity Association: UAE charitable association collecting and distributing Zakat and donations to vulnerable groups. Comparable in operating model, donor base (UAE individuals and Islamic finance institutions), and community-led humanitarian focus.
- Beit Al Khair Foundation: Major UAE charitable foundation operating humanitarian and social assistance programs. Faraj Fund conducted a formal delegation visit to discuss cooperation in charitable and humanitarian work, indicating direct comparability in mission, beneficiary base, and UAE-centric operating model.
- Dubai Foundation for Women and Children: UAE-based humanitarian organization supporting vulnerable groups; Faraj Fund delegation visited to discuss cooperation. Comparable as a UAE humanitarian charity addressing social welfare and vulnerable-population needs.
- Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation: UAE-based charitable foundation focused on humanitarian aid and social welfare, listed as a Faraj Fund sponsor. Operates in the same UAE charitable sector with comparable Zakat-driven funding model and government-aligned governance.
- Sharjah Charitable Society: Sharjah-based charitable society providing humanitarian and community support. Faraj Fund delegation visited to strengthen cooperation, signaling a peer operating model focused on charitable giving and social welfare in the UAE.
- Ahmed Bin Zayed Foundation: UAE charitable foundation named as a Faraj Fund sponsor. Operates a comparable model of humanitarian assistance within the UAE and shares donor and beneficiary overlap with Faraj Fund.
Regional players
- Authority of Social Contribution - Ma'an: Abu Dhabi government authority coordinating social contribution and charitable giving across the emirate. Listed as a Faraj Fund sponsor; comparable as an institutionalized UAE social-funding entity channeling donations to community programs, though operating at a structural rather than direct-beneficiary level.
Broad incumbents
- Islamic Relief Worldwide: Large international humanitarian NGO operating in the UAE through Zakat and charitable programs. Comparable as a Zakat-channeled humanitarian organization, but with a much broader global footprint and multi-cause mandate versus Faraj Fund's prisoner-specific focus.
- Emirates Red Crescent: UAE's primary humanitarian and emergency response organization under the International Red Cross movement. Comparable as a UAE government-affiliated humanitarian charity, though it spans a far wider set of causes (disaster relief, medical, education) than Faraj Fund's insolvent-inmate mandate.
- Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment: Large UAE charitable establishment running humanitarian and charitable programs domestically and internationally. Comparable as a UAE-based government-affiliated charity with Zakat-distribution capability, though with a broader mandate than Faraj Fund's prison-debt focus.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Faraj Fund social profiles
Digital presenceFaraj Fund financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Faraj Fund leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Faraj Fund funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Faraj Fund M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Faraj Fund
What does Faraj Fund do?
Faraj Fund is a UAE government-backed charitable organization that collects and distributes donations to release insolvent inmates from correctional facilities by settling their outstanding civil debts, blood money (diya), court fees, and judicial expenses. The fund also provides financial and in-kind assistance to the families of incarcerated individuals and funds repatriation tickets for released expatriate inmates. Donations are accepted through an online portal, SMS, mobile apps, and direct bank transfers.
Is Faraj Fund a public or private company?
Faraj Fund is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Faraj Fund founded?
Faraj Fund was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Faraj Fund based?
Faraj Fund is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East region.
How does Faraj Fund make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are institutional/Zakat Funding and corporate Sponsorship.
Who are Faraj Fund's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Dubai Charity Association, Beit Al Khair Foundation, Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Sharjah Charitable Society and Ahmed Bin Zayed Foundation. Authority of Social Contribution - Ma'an is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Islamic Relief Worldwide, Emirates Red Crescent and Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment.
Does Faraj Fund have an API?
No public API is recorded for Faraj Fund.
What industry is Faraj Fund in?
Faraj Fund's product category is Humanitarian Charitable Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAOAB, Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors), with a secondary code of BPADAOAE, Trust Funds & Multi-Donor Pooled Funds. Its NAICS code is 525.