Faraj Fund

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.

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

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

• Charitable humanitarian services
• Prisoner debt relief
• Zakat collection fund
• Family support services
• Repatriation travel assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Abu Dhabi

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors support the fund's initiatives through financial contributions and partnerships, including various UAE companies and charitable organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core 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

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Dubai CourtsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 October 2021Delegation visit to strengthen ties between Faraj Fund and Dubai Courts and discuss ways to enhance cooperation.
• Beit Al Khair FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2021A 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 SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 August 2021Delegation 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 FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 August 2021Delegation visit to discuss opportunities to expand cooperation in supporting insolvent inmates and their families.
• Fujairah Foundation for Regions DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 August 2021A 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 SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 August 2021Delegation visit to open avenues to strengthen cooperation between the two charitable organisations.
• Sharjah CourtminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 August 2021Delegation visit to Sharjah Court to strengthen institutional cooperation.
• Dubai Foundation for Women and ChildrenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 August 2021Delegation 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 WorksminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 August 2021Delegation visit to discuss and strengthen cooperation between the two parties in charitable and humanitarian work.
• Ministry of Community Development (UAE)coreOthersFaraj 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)coreOthersThe 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

Direct 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/farajfund

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Faraj Fund