Dubai Cares’ journey began in September 2007, when His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced an eight-week charity drive inviting the UAE community to help raise funds to provide quality education to 1 million underprivileged children in developing countries. Over the course of two months, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum oversaw a fundraising campaign unlike any other which brought together the public and private sectors, the business community, students, parents, citizens and residents, who felt as committed to the cause. A total of USD 500 million was raised through the community fundraising drive, which was matched by an equal donation from His Highness, bringing the total amount raised to nearly US$1 billion. Since then, the campaign has become an organization with a clear mission: to break the cycle of poverty by ensuring all children have access to quality education. Dubai Cares has grown into a leading global philanthropic organization that designs and funds impactful, sustainable and scalable program in addition to influencing national education and health policies and promoting social cohesion and volunteering.