Over 1,7 million USD (AED 6. 2 million) raised to support vulnerable children & their families worldwide
On Tuesday, February 25, the Naked Heart Foundation (NHF) celebrated its 20th anniversary with a spectacular gala supported by Dubai’s leading development company Palace Group at Atlantis The Royal. The event, organised in collaboration with Dubai Cares, a UAE-based global philanthropic organisation, was hosted by supermodel and NHF founder Natalia Vodianova and co-hosted by fashion designer Else Adelia. The gala successfully raised over 1,7 million USD (AED 6.2 million) to support transformative programs for children and young adults with developmental disabilities, ensuring they and their families have access to quality education, essential services, and opportunities for an inclusive future.
The gala brought together esteemed guests from the realms of fashion, art, business and tech, including H.E. Issam Kazim, Antoine Arnault, Wissam Damaa, Shiv Khemka, Eugene Nevgen, Wissam Breidy, Faretta Radic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Roham Shamekh, Ulyana Sergeenko, Yvette Ye, Zachary Cefaratti, Sima Ganwani Ved, Yana Rudkovskaya, Hala Abdallah, Ksenia Sobchak. The gala was further enriched by live performances from talents such as Bebe Rexha, whose powerhouse vocals and chart-topping hits embodied the evening’s spirit of joy and unity. The event was produced by ODBT Media Dubai.
At the heart of the event was an exclusive auction featuring 14 coveted lots. Among these were an immersive fashion journey into the Dior legacy, a Bulgari Serpenti Viper bracelet in 18k white gold and titanium, adorned with 140 diamonds, an unforgettable day at Louis Vuitton’s historic home in Asnières, a private tennis lesson with Grand Slam champion Daniil Medvedev, and a unique masterpiece by Damien Hirst. The auction generated significant contributions, reinforcing the power of philanthropy in transforming lives.
The evening also featured the unveiling of the Ulyana Sergeenko Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025 collection, a mesmerising display of artistry and storytelling. A long-time supporter of NHF and advocate for inclusivity, Sergeenko’s designs combined craftsmanship with a message of empowerment.
Natalia Vodianova, Founder of NHF, stated, “Twenty years ago, we embarked on a journey to create a world where no child would feel invisible or excluded. As we stand alongside Dubai Cares, we have not only celebrated the progress we’ve made, but also reaffirmed our commitment to a future defined by inclusivity and opportunity. This gala was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together with a shared purpose: to ensure that every person with a developmental disability has access to the support, education, employment, and care they need to thrive. As His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum once said: “Opportunities are made, they do not just lie around waiting for someone to grab them”. I am grateful for this event. As it has given us the opportunity to build partnerships and friendships. This event is planting a seed for the next 20 years to flourish.”
Amal Al Redha, Director of Partnerships at Dubai Cares, said, “The Naked Heart Foundation’s 20th anniversary marks two decades of breaking barriers, transforming lives, and championing inclusion. Natalia Vodianova and her team have built a legacy of hope and opportunity for children worldwide. At Dubai Cares, we share this vision. Education is the key to breaking cycles of poverty and empowering children to dream, achieve, and thrive. Thanks to the generosity of donors and supporters, more children will have the chance to rewrite their futures. Every contribution tonight is more than a donation—it’s an investment in a world where every child has the opportunity to succeed. Congratulations to the Naked Heart Foundation on this milestone, and deep appreciation to all who continue to support this vital mission.”
The NHF team would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to its sponsors: Atlantis The Royal, Niance, and Wheely as our exclusive chauffeur partner.
ABOUT NHF
Founded in 2004 by supermodel and philanthropist Natalia Vodianova, the Naked Heart Foundation (NHF) is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to creating a more inclusive and supportive world for children and young adults with developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Motivated by her personal experience growing up with a sister with cerebral palsy and autism, Natalia established the foundation to address the systemic lack of understanding, resources, and infrastructure for families raising children with special needs.
Over the past two decades, NHF has impacted 30,525 children, young adults, and their family members through evidence-based programs that prioritise nonmedical, educational, and psychological interventions. The foundation’s holistic approach focuses on encouraging inclusive education, employment, and leisure activities, as well as the creation of free support services for affected families.
NHF’s work is rooted in the understanding that while there is no “cure” for autism, early behavioural and communication interventions can dramatically improve quality of life. To this end, the foundation has trained over 1,000 professionals—including teachers, psychologists, and healthcare workers—in cutting-edge methodologies, ensuring sustainable support networks for affected families.
NHF has constructed 200+ inclusive play spaces in 160 locations globally, enabling children with and without disabilities to play, learn, and socialise together. In 2024 alone, the foundation provided direct assistance to 2,000+ families, offering early intervention programs, legal aid, and resources with evidence-based information for parents and specialists.
The foundation’s 20th anniversary marks a renewed commitment to global advocacy, aiming to dismantle stigma, advance awareness of evidence-based programs, and foster societies where individuals with developmental disabilities are valued, visible, and empowered to reach their full potential.
ABOUT DUBAI CARES
Since its inception in 2007, Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has been working towards providing children and youth in developing countries with access to quality education through the design and funding of programs that aim to be impactful, sustainable and scalable. To date, the UAE-based global philanthropic organization has successfully launched education programs reaching over 116 million direct and indirect beneficiaries in 60 developing countries.
Dubai Cares plays a key role in helping achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and quality education for all, and promote lifelong learning by 2030, by supporting programs in early childhood development, access to quality primary and secondary education, technical and vocational education and training for youth as well as a particular focus on education in emergencies and protracted crises. Moreover, Dubai Cares adopts a strategic approach to improve student enrollment and learning outcomes through an integrated school health and nutrition model that is made up of school-based deworming activities, school feeding, and WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) in schools.
Dubai Cares is a civil society organization formally associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (UN DGC), as well as a registered non-government organization under IACAD, the charitable activities regulator in Dubai. The UAE-based global philanthropic organization is authorized to raise funds through direct donations and fundraising campaigns, as well as process all permit approvals with IACAD.
Volunteerism is a powerful tool to Dubai Cares in order to engage people in tackling development challenges. Dubai Cares rallies the UAE wider community through a large spectrum of volunteering and awareness initiatives that are linked to its global mandate.
To learn more, please visit www.dubaicares.ae