Philanthropy
From The Report: Saudi Arabia 2025
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Philanthropy has been a long-standing tradition in Saudi culture, and a wide range of non-profit organisations have emerged across the Kingdom. Traditionally, the approach to giving was informal and fragmented, both in terms of voluntary time and monetary donations. However, since the government included the non-profit sector in its Vision 2030 national development strategy, the sector has become gradually more institutionalised. This sector is undergoing a transformation supported by new national policies and regulations, the creation of oversight agencies and the digitalisation of services. A greater openness to a more structured approach to philanthropy by younger generations is also supporting the change. In addition, the alignment of various Vision 2030 aims with several UN Sustainable Development Goals means that the transformation of the philanthropy sector reflects the broad shift in global sectoral trends.

This chapter contains interviews with HRH Princess Lamia bint Majed Al Saud, Secretary-General, Alwaleed Philanthropies; HH Princess Nouf bint Muhammad bin Abdullah Al Saud, CEO, King Khalid Foundation; and Sarah Essam Al Muhaidib, Executive Director, Al Muhaidib Foundation.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Positive impact: Strengthened governance and expanding participation is positioning the non-profit sector as an economic contributor
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Philanthropy has been a long-standing tradition in Saudi culture, and a wide range of non-profit organisations have emerged across the Kingdom. Traditionally, the approach to giving was informal and fragmented, both in terms of voluntary time and monetary donations. However, since the government included the non-profit sector in its Vision 2030 national development strategy, the sector has become gradually more institutionalised. The nonprofit sector is undergoing a transformation supported by new national policies and regulations, the creation of oversight agencies and the digitalisation of services. A greater openness to a more structured approach…

Interview

Impact giving: HRH Princess Lamia bint Majed Al Saud, Secretary-General, Alwaleed Philanthropies, on the role of long-term incentives, partnerships and impact-focused funding
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Interview:HRH Princess Lamia bint Majed Al Saud, Secretary-General, Alwaleed Philanthropies, on the role of long-term incentives, partnerships and impact-focused funding Which levers are most effective in enabling philanthropy to help the non-profit sector reach Vision 2030’s target of contributing 5% to GDP? HRH PRINCESS LAMIA BINT MAJED AL SAUD:Reaching the Vision 2030 target requires progress across multiple levers rather than reliance on a single approach. Saudi Arabia has already…

Interview

Giving for change: HH Princess Nouf bint Muhammad bin Abdullah Al Saud, CEO, King Khalid Foundation, on how strategic capital and innovative funding models can strengthen the non-profit sector
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Interview:HH Princess Nouf bint Muhammad bin Abdullah Al Saud, CEO, King Khalid Foundation, on how strategic capital and innovative funding models can strengthen the non-profit sector How should philanthropic capital evolve until 2030 to help the non-profit sector advance towards Vision 2030 targets, and in which areas? HH PRINCESS NOUF BINT MUHAMMAD BIN ABDULLAH AL SAUD: The sector has grown faster than expected – and exceeds 3% of GDP with far more visibility. For philanthropic capital…

Analysis

Social impact: Vocational programmes have emphasised women’s participation in research, entrepreneurship and community development
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More women employees are joining workplaces and boardrooms across the GCC, with gender equality emerging as a central objective of a wider regional push to strengthen environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. Governments, regulators and private sector actors are increasingly aligning policy reform with philanthropic initiatives designed to support women’s economic participation, leadership and social empowerment. While measurable progress has been achieved in recent years, further efforts are required to consolidate these gains into a lasting, broad-based transformation that extends beyond headline indicators to structural and cultural…

Interview

Impact amplified: Sarah Essam Al Muhaidib, Executive Director, Al Muhaidib Foundation, on scaling investment for early-childhood change
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Interview:Sarah Essam Al Muhaidib, Executive Director, Al Muhaidib Foundation, on scaling investment for early-childhood change What are the most persistent gaps in early-childhood development programmes? SARAH ESSAM AL MUHAIDIB: One of the clearest gaps is the limited number of philanthropic actors operating in this space. While broader foundation landscape in the Kingdom is substantial, very few organisations focus on early childhood. The hesitation is often due to limited access to research…