The verdict in three sentences
A Dubai based foundation can launch a credible Arabic and English site with online donations for roughly 35,000 to 110,000 AED, depending on the donation setup and design ambition. The most underestimated item is the recurring cost: hosting, maintenance and payment fees run 15,000 to 45,000 AED a year. An itemised quote with working days is what reassures a board and makes approval faster.
The itemised quote
The mid range scenario below fits a foundation with 12 pages per language, programme pages, a library of annual reports and a donation flow. Figures are 2026 market estimates. Before launching any public appeal, confirm the fundraising permit requirements that apply to you with the competent Dubai authority, such as IACAD for charitable fundraising, and display your licence details on the site.
| Item | Detail | Working days | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| English site | 12 pages, programmes, news, report library | 18 | 30,000 AED |
| Arabic version | Right to left layout, native copy review, 30 percent of site cost | 8 | 9,000 AED |
| Donation gateway | Card, Apple Pay, recurring gifts, automatic receipts | 7 | 12,000 AED |
| Disclosure pages | Licence details, governance, financial statements | 2 | 3,000 AED |
| Accessibility and QA | WCAG 2.1 AA checks in both languages | 4 | 7,000 AED |
| Total build | 39 | 61,000 AED | |
| Hosting | 1 year, backups, SSL | 3,000 AED | |
| Maintenance | 12 months at 1,800 AED | 21,600 AED | |
| Total year one | 85,600 AED |
Gateway transaction fees, often 2 to 3.5 percent per card donation, come out of each gift and belong in your fundraising budget, not in the website quote.
Three budget levels for your board
| Scenario | Build | Annual recurring | Scope | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | 35,000 to 45,000 AED | 15,000 to 20,000 AED | 8 pages, one off card donations, Arabic and English | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Mid range | 61,000 AED | 24,600 AED | 12 pages, recurring gifts, disclosure pages | 8 to 10 weeks |
| Full | 80,000 to 110,000 AED | 35,000 to 45,000 AED | Custom design, donor portal, impact map, CRM sync | 12 to 16 weeks |
| Packaged option (Kolonell Growth) | 530 to 910 EUR | 456 to 1,380 EUR | 8 to 12 pages, one language base | 14 to 21 days |
Arabic should be designed in from the start, not bolted on: retrofitting right to left layouts later costs up to twice as much.
What the board and regulator look for
Three things come up repeatedly: ownership of the site by the foundation (domain, code, admin access), sustainability after launch (who funds year two) and transparency (licence details, governance and financial statements online). Your donation and contact forms also fall under the UAE Personal Data Protection Law, so state what you collect, why and how long you keep it.
Mini case study
Illustrative example, not a real client: Layla, communications lead of a 20 person education foundation in Dubai, presents the mid range scenario at 61,000 AED plus 24,600 AED a year. Cautious assumption: 60 donors give 250 AED a month, 15,000 AED, minus 3 percent fees, about 14,550 AED net. Year one cost (85,600 AED) is covered in about six months of online giving, and the annual running cost equals less than two months of donations.
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FAQ
How much does a foundation website cost in Dubai in 2026?
Roughly 35,000 to 110,000 AED to build depending on scope. The mid range scenario with recurring donations and Arabic costs 61,000 AED.
Do we need Arabic?
For a Dubai based foundation, Arabic builds trust with local donors and authorities. A properly reviewed version adds 20 to 35 percent of the site cost.
Which donation methods should we offer?
Cards and Apple Pay at minimum, with recurring gifts. Integration typically costs 5,000 to 15,000 AED, plus 2 to 3.5 percent fees per gift.
What must appear on disclosure pages?
Licence or permit details, governance and recent financial statements. Setting them up takes about 2 days of work.
How long does it take to launch?
Six to sixteen weeks depending on scope. A packaged Kolonell Growth base ships in 14 to 21 days.
Let's scope your project. Send us your page count, donation methods and board requirements, and we will prepare an itemised quote ready to attach to your approval file. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
