In a striking demonstration of commitment to public service and marginalized communities, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader has announced he will donate his entire 2025 presidential salary to 16 non-profit organizations and religious institutions across the country. The total contribution amounts to 5,344,000 Dominican pesos, all earmarked for social welfare programs designed to lift up vulnerable populations.
Each of the 16 recipient groups will receive an equal disbursement of 334,000 Dominican pesos, a decision aligned with Abinader’s long-stated pledge to direct all of his public earnings toward projects that deliver tangible social impact and raise living standards for citizens facing economic hardship.
The allocated funds are spread across a diverse set of high-priority areas, spanning community development, public health, child and youth welfare, vocational training, grassroots sports, and religious infrastructure upgrades. Community development projects receive the largest share of funding, totaling 2,338,000 Dominican pesos distributed across seven local organizations.
One key supported initiative is the Dominican Foundation for Integral Development (FUNDESI)’s vector-borne disease prevention campaigns, which target dengue, malaria, and Zika in high-risk low-income neighborhoods including Capotillo and Gualey. Other community-focused projects include the reconstruction of a rural healthcare clinic led by the Despertando Sonrisas Foundation, and the construction of new public recreational and community gathering spaces by the FUHUESAN Foundation and Colinas del Manzano Association.
For public health and disability support programming, 1,336,000 Dominican pesos has been set aside. This funding supports cleft lip and palate corrective surgery campaigns run by the Operation Smile Foundation, covers the down payment for a new emergency ambulance for the Huellas Misioneras Volunteer Program, sustains housing operations for low-income cancer patients managed by the Faces Dominicana Foundation, and expands in-home medical care services for stroke survivors through the Dominican Stroke Foundation.
Children and youth-focused initiatives receive a total allocation of 1,002,000 Dominican pesos. Funds will go toward therapeutic sponsorship programs and classroom accessibility modifications for children on the autism spectrum, run by the Manos Unidas por Autismo Foundation. Additional youth programming includes social inclusion activities for children in the municipality of Haina organized by FUNDECEV, and personal development workshops and skills training camps hosted by the Fundasocial Foundation.
Remaining funding supports two other causes: the MC Deportes Foundation will use its allocation to purchase athletic equipment for community volleyball and baseball tournaments, while the Santa Lucía Mártir Parish will put its contribution toward construction of a new perimeter fence and facility air conditioning upgrades.
The Dominican Presidency emphasized in its official statement that all donations are structured to deliver direct, publicly auditable impact across operations, equipment purchases, clinical services, and distribution of essential supplies to communities in need. Through this gesture, President Abinader has reaffirmed his commitment to partnering with grassroots organizations to reduce systemic social inequality and expand access to critical support services for vulnerable populations across the nation.