Hope Makers Award Draws 21,000 Nominations
The Dh1 million Hope Makers prize, run by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, received its seventh-edition applications within three weeks of announcement.
Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The seventh edition of the Hope Makers award received more than 21,000 nominations and applications within three weeks of its announcement. The award carries a prize of Dh1 million and is operated by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI).
Why it matters
The award is designed to recognise and support people and groups who have improved lives, eased suffering in their communities, and advanced social, cultural and economic strategies. Its strong response signals wide interest in philanthropic work across the Arab world and beyond.
The seventh edition drew more than 21,000 nominations and applications within three weeks of its announcement, against a Dh1 million prize pool. The source does not indicate how many entries qualify or when shortlisting will be completed.
The players
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI)
MBRGI is the body that operates the Hope Makers award and related global initiatives tied to the Dubai-based philanthropic programmes of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
Fouzia Mahmoudi
Fouzia Mahmoudi is a Moroccan humanitarian whose foundation, Operation Smile, has performed more than 19,000 surgeries on children born with cleft lips and palates.
The details
Individuals and groups can apply themselves or be nominated by others via www.arabhopemakers.com. Organisations, institutions and charitable associations must be officially registered as non-profits to be eligible.
Timeline
2017: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid establishes the Hope Makers initiative.
February: Fouzia Mahmoudi from Morocco is crowned the latest Hope Maker winner at a ceremony in Dubai.
Within three weeks of the seventh edition's announcement: more than 21,000 nominations and applications are received.
Philanthropy Landscape
The Hope Makers award, launched in 2017 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, follows a model of state-backed prizes that reward individual humanitarian work, with Operation Smile's surgical record of more than 19,000 operations as its benchmark case. Its growth to 21,000 applications in a single edition shows the model drawing sustained participation rather than fading after its first years.
Individuals and eligible non-profit organisations can apply or be nominated through www.arabhopemakers.com. Applicants should confirm their non-profit registration before submitting if they are an organisation.
The takeaway
If you know a person or group whose work has improved lives in their community, you can nominate them directly. Organisations should confirm they are officially registered as non-profits before applying.
Further reading
Explore more Philanthropy coverage to see how awards like Hope Makers fit into wider giving trends.
More information
Nominations and applications for the Hope Makers nomination and application portal are accepted online.
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