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 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 (SDGs) means that the transformation of the philanthropy sector reflects the broad shift in global sectoral trends.
Charity to Philanthropy
According to global generosity network GivingTuesday, the global value of philanthropy, which includes donated time and money, was around $2.3trn in 2024, or nearly 3% of global GDP, with $1.5trn originating from individuals. This figure is expected to have a much higher economic value in practice due to the multiplier effect, as services and activities carried out by non-profit organisations, supported by donations, create a downstream economic benefit. Remittances continue to contribute the highest quantity of overseas aid. In 2020 the largest sources in terms of remittances were the US, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Russia.
Domestically, Vision 2030 promotes significant improvements across several key sectors, including health care and education, alongside the expansion of industries such as tourism and manufacturing to support economic diversification. As part of the government’s efforts to reduce reliance on oil revenue, the strategy also prioritises the expansion of the non-profit sector to support economic growth and the development of a highly skilled national workforce over the long term.
When Vision 2030 was launched in 2016, there were fewer than 1000 non-profit and charitable foundations and associations operating in Saudi Arabia, contributing around 0.3% of GDP, compared to a global average of 6%. Meanwhile, 7% of charitable projects were focused on generating social impact or were aligned with long-term national priorities, according to Vision 2030. At the time, the government aimed for over one-third of non-profit projects to have measurable and deep social impact by 2020. Vision 2030 set two principal targets for Saudi Arabia’s non-profit sector: to raise its contribution to GDP from less than 1% to 5% and to rally 1m volunteers per year, compared to 11,000 in 2016.
Regulations
The establishment of new regulations for the non-profit sector is gradually transforming it to be more professional, institutionalised and efficient. The regulatory framework was developed in close adherence to Islamic principles, Arab values and national traditions, according to Vision 2030, with a focus on supporting the vulnerable and needy, helping neighbours, being hospitable to guests, respecting visitors, being courteous to expatriates and being conscientious of human rights. The regulations are aimed at encouraging greater participation in the non-profit sector, particularly by corporations and high-net-worth families.
A 2022 report from the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy at the UK’s University of Cambridge Judge Business School highlighted Saudi Arabia as a noteworthy example of strategic philanthropy. Saudi Arabia has several national philanthropic institutions, and since the introduction of Vision 2030, there has been a growth in the number of foundations, charities and non-profit organisations. Several of these institutions have begun to align their work with the goals set out in Vision 2030 and well as the UN SDGs, which has made them more strategic in nature.
Stakeholders
There are several key players in Saudi Arabia’s non-profit sector, including oversight agencies, large-scale non-profit organisations and affluent families with a long-standing history of philanthropy. Although the Kingdom’s non-profit sector is undergoing a transition to become more structured and formal, historically, certain families and individuals have been responsible for contributing some of the biggest donations in the sector. The National Centre for Non-Profit Sector is an independent institution established in 2019 as part of the National Transformation Programme (NTP) to support the development of non-government organisations, facilitate government licensing, and oversee their financial and administrative operations. The General Authority for Awqaf oversees the regulation of the sector, registers endowments and ensures funds are used as specified by donors. Awqaf or waqf is an Islamic charitable endowment.
The Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk) was founded in 2011 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and focuses on the youth demographic, offering educational, cultural and entrepreneurial programmes to help develop skills and foster talent among young Saudis. Mohammed bin Salman Non-profit City, known as Misk City, was founded by the Misk Foundation around 12 km from downtown Riyadh and is the first non-profit city of its kind worldwide, according to the government. It covers 3.2 sq km and is home to offices, educational institutions, arts and sports facilities, entertainment, residential areas and hotels. Around 14,800 people work and 19,500 live in the city. It serves as a centre for the Misk Foundation and is meant to be a space for youth empowerment and innovation.
The King Abdullah Humanitarian Foundation (KAHF), founded by the late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 2010, is another of Saudi Arabia’s main non-profit organisations. KAHF’s work centres around several strategic pillars, including science and technology, the culture of dialogue, health care, peace and security, education, social development and economic development. Meanwhile, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KS relief), established in 2015, is the Kingdom’s principal organisation in delivering international aid.
Alongside government-led oversight entities and large national non-profits, long-established family-led foundations continue to play a significant role in shaping Saudi Arabia’s philanthropy sector. Alwaleed Philanthropies provides an illustrative case of how such institutions are adapting to the sector’s increasing formalisation and strategic orientation under Vision 2030. Operating for more than four decades across a wide range of social, humanitarian and development-focused programmes, the foundation reflects the historical depth of Saudi philanthropic activity. In recent years, however, its programming has increasingly emphasised empowerment-oriented interventions, including vocational training, youth employability and community capacity building. The foundation also helps companies and educational institutions to empower women and alleviate poverty. This shift mirrors broader national trends, as philanthropic organisations move beyond traditional charitable relief towards initiatives that contribute more directly to human capital development and labour market participation.
Collaborative Effort
Alwaleed Philanthropies’ growing reliance on partnerships with local non-profits, educational institutions and international bodies highlights a sector-wide move towards collaborative delivery models and alignment with global development frameworks. Similarly, the adoption of digital tools and data-driven approaches in areas such as environmental sustainability reflects the wider incorporation of innovation and impact measurement within Saudi philanthropy.
Taken together, the operational evolution of large foundations, such as Alwaleed Philanthropies, illustrate how private philanthropy in Saudi Arabia is becoming more institutionalised, strategic and integrated into national development priorities. While not representative of the sector in its entirety, such family-led organisations increasingly occupy a hybrid position within the philanthropy landscape, sitting between government-led institutions that are closely aligned with policy delivery and corporate philanthropy shaped by environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks and commercial governance standards. In doing so, they combine long-term capital and mission continuity with growing adoption of formal accountability mechanisms, partnership-based delivery models and impact-oriented approaches that are now characteristic of the Kingdom’s rapidly maturing philanthropy ecosystem.
Human Capital
Vision 2030 states that government support will be directed to the programmes with the highest social impact, and will support training workers to encourage volunteering and careers in the non-profit sector. This is aimed at attracting the best talent to the sector to encourage the transfer of knowledge and strengthen institutions over the long term. It also says that non-profit organisations should adopt proper governance standards, facilitate high-quality training to staff and promote a culture of volunteering and full-time careers in the sector. The government aims for the non-profit sector to play a more integral role in critical sectors such as health care, education, housing, research, and cultural and social programmes.
There were approximately 72,000 employees in the non-profit sector in 2018, 60% of whom were men, while 78% were Saudi nationals. This puts employment ahead of the NTP’s goal of 50,000 jobs in the sector by 2020. Volunteers contributed 26% of those working in the sector, at nearly 19,000. Youth training programmes are aimed at training a new generation of Saudis for work in the non-profit sector, and the newly developed Misk City is expected to provide a major centre for the training and fostering of skills. The government has introduced a range of incentives to encourage Saudis to pursue jobs in the non-profit sector, such as the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s workforce qualification initiative. The scheme aims to make the non-profit sector attractive for workers by offering 10 key incentives, including flexible work, competitive leave policies, diverse employment contracts, performance and evaluation, career paths and professional development and work environment enhancement.
Philanthropic Economy
Across the GCC region, where philanthropy has long been dominated by some of the wealthiest individuals and families, the younger generation appears more open to adopting global trends, and youth are taking a longer-term and more strategic approach to giving. People across the region are increasingly looking to other donors or organisations with which to partner to tackle big social issues, such as health care and education, leading to a more structured approach to philanthropy. While tradition of giving in Saudi Arabia, the general lack of reporting has made it difficult to understand the role and scope of the non-profit sector. The fragmented nature of the sector and a lack of resources have meant that governance in the sector has previously been limited, and gathering information has been challenging.
In 2022 the King Khalid Foundation (KKF) published the “Saudi Non-profit Trends Report”, thereby establishing one of the first comprehensive national analyses. It based its findings on the results of the field survey of Saudi non-profit organisations conducted by the General Authority for Statistics in 2019, as well as from KKF data. The report showed that the nonprofit sector contributed around SR8bn ($2.1bn) to the country’s GDP in 2018. It also suggests that there has been an increase in the number of non-profits focusing on science and health, with approximately 185 organisations working in these fields.
However, the report highlights the need to raise more awareness about the non-profit sector and the work it does, to encourage more people to participate in philanthropy. The report is part of KKF’s effort to raise awareness about the trends and impact of non-profit work. KKF also calls for organisations to announce their activities and achievements, as well as disclose their financial statements, to communicate their work with the public.
Giving
In Charities Aid Foundation’s “2025 World Giving Report (WGR)”, which surveyed nearly 56,000 people across 101 countries, Saudi Arabia ranked 34th in terms of giving, with 79% of respondents having donated money in 2024, compared to the global average of 64%. The survey shows that Saudis allocate an average of 1.1% of their income to donations, slightly higher than the global average of 1%. Meanwhile, 26% of respondents said that they had volunteered in 2024, on par with the global average.
Corporate giving is a rapidly growing segment in the philanthropy sector, particularly as donations are typically tax free, which encourages more companies to donate. Many companies have adopted ESG practices to help appeal to consumers who are concerned about social justice. Adhering to strong ESG standards can assist companies in being more competitive and, depending on the size of the firm, have a significant impact on specific social causes.
Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s national oil company, has introduced strict ESG standards in line with Vision 2030 and the UN SDGs. The firm has also begun to expand its portfolio beyond fossil fuels to include renewable energy sources. Aramco’s 2024 sustainability report provides information on its progress across several ESG areas. Other public and private companies operating in the Kingdom have also adopted ESG standards and begun monitoring and reporting progress, helping to paint a clearer picture of the state of corporate philanthropy.
Foreign Investment
Saudi Arabia has a long history in humanitarian aid, having distributed an estimated $141bn across more than 8100 initiatives in 174 countries since 1975. In previous years, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ranked Saudi Arabia among the world’s most generous donors. As the Kingdom’s dedicated international humanitarian arm, KS relief has been one of the principal contributors of this aid. KS relief has implemented around 3612 projects and $8.1bn in aid across 108 countries since mid-2015.
Saudi Arabia’s philanthropic activity abroad extends well beyond emergency relief, with KS relief acting as the primary channel for international assistance. The Kingdom, reflecting a broad geographic footprint that included funding projects in Yemen, Syria, Palestine, Sudan, Somalia and Ukraine as the largest recipients in 2025. KS relief’s own disclosures note that its programmes range from food security and medical support to education and shelter, delivered through partnerships with international agencies including the UN. Independent coverage also highlights the scale of these efforts in humanitarian, development and charitable assistance segments. This outward-facing philanthropy forms a significant component of Saudi Arabia’s global engagement, shaping its role in multilateral humanitarian coordination and long-term development initiatives.
Digitalisation
The use of digital platforms by non-profits has helped to raise awareness about the work of various organisations and encourage more people to participate in the philanthropy sector. People have also been encouraged to give money via donation platforms, making it easier to track funds. The sector’s digitalisation has helped the government to track non-profit activities and donations, as well as the sector’s contribution to Saudi Arabia’s critical sectors, such as health care and education.
The digital transformation of the philanthropy sector has been supported by the creation of new regulated services, including Ehsan, the electronic platform Shefaa, KS relief and the National Donations Platform (Donate), which was developed and overseen by the Saudi Data and AI Authority. A greater openness to digital services across the younger generation will likely lead to an expansion of these platforms. Ehsan, launched in 2021, allows donors to select from a range of social causes to give money. It promotes a culture of transparency and helps users to better understand where their money is going. Greater sector transparency can help tackle the lack of public trust in the work of non-profits, which has previously made it difficult to attract support.
Over SR2bn ($533.2m) had been raised via official electronic fundraising platforms by end-2021, with online donations growing during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to KKF’s report. In 2025 the Sahem online donation portal was reported to have raised more than $1.6bn from approximately 8.5m donors to support KS relief’s global programmes. Meanwhile, the Saudi portal for volunteering abroad has encouraged over 80,000 volunteers to participate in 991 programmes across 55 countries as of the end of the third quarter of 2025.
Regional Integration
The value of philanthropic giving in the GCC region is estimated at approximately $210bn. For many in the GCC, philanthropy is rooted in the Islamic traditions of zakat (a payment under Islamic law that is used for charitable or religious purposes). Zakat encourages all Muslims to give a portion of their wealth to those in need, waqf and sadaqah (voluntary giving). The sector is growing rapidly, particularly following the inclusion of the non-profit sector in several national development plans, such as the UAE’s national blueprint, We the UAE 2031 and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Government transformation programmes have helped to establish priorities for national development, which non-profits can use to align their activities. This has also encouraged greater collaboration between non-profits, the private sector and the government, which has helped several GCC countries, including Saudi Arabia, to establish ambitious socio-economic development goals. This has been backed up by the introduction of policies and regulations that support this transformation. The growing cross-sectoral approach to philanthropy encourages knowledge-sharing. This has helped some non-profits to develop their social entrepreneurship and use a market-based solutions approach to their operations.
However, there are still unknowns about how to effectively grow the sector and where it could add the most value. There is a tradition of under-reporting donations and time given to voluntary work in the GCC due to the culture of discretion and anonymity in much of the region. This could be improved through the formalisation of non-profit organisations and the broader use of digital technologies, which can improve data collection. The aim to pursue strategic and evidence-based philanthropy is at odds with the cultural tradition of discretion. This can be seen in the results of the 2025 WGR, in which respondents within the Kingdom far underestimated Saudi Arabia’s role in philanthropy. When asked, respondents ranked Saudi Arabia in the 100th position out of 101 countries for how much they think the country gives, however, the Kingdom actually ranked 34th. The generational change could spur a shift in the traditional approach to philanthropy as younger generations of philanthropists are showing increased support for taking a strategic approach to tackle the root causes of societal challenges to create a sustainable, long-term and systemic impact.
Social Stability
A more equitable approach to philanthropy can help to meet the government’s goal of economic diversification beyond oil by creating a knowledge-based economy with a highly skilled workforce. For example, training programmes for youth skills development and entrepreneurship programmes for women will help Saudi Arabia to achieve more inclusive economic growth. Providing training opportunities for more vulnerable segments of society will also help to close the skills gap that persists between the education sector and the work environment, reduce unemployment and support government aims for workplace Saudiisation.
Some of the non-profits focused on women include KKF, which supports social and economic development; the Mawaddah Women’s Charity Association, which promotes awareness of civil rights among women; and Alwaleed Philanthropies, supporting women’s economic participation. The Misk Foundation supports youth by developing their leadership skills and enhancing learning opportunities, with a focus on education, entrepreneurship, science, technology, engineering and maths. It also seeks to foster local and global partnerships to support the development of a knowledge-based society.
Meanwhile, KKF’s Saudi Youth @ Work programme is aimed at improving youth employability by upskilling non-profit agencies to deliver training on entrepreneurship and basic life skills. Youth empowerment programmes include Doroob, a national e-training platform aimed at workforce skill development; Tamheer, an internship programme for Saudi graduates in government institutions; and the Hadaf Leadership Programme, which supports skills development for private sector jobs. The focus on typically overlooked segments of society can help to develop the skills and talent of more of Saudi Arabia’s population into a highly skilled workforce. Greater participation in the workforce, particularly in the private sector, will support nationwide economic growth.
Outlook
The philanthropy sector in Saudi Arabia is going through a transition period as giving, both financially and through voluntary work, becomes more formalised and structured. This has been driven by the inclusion of the non-profit sector in Vision 2030, the development of the associated policies and regulations, and the creation of agencies to provide oversight and support.
Saudi Arabia is leading the GCC when it comes to philanthropy through the consolidation of its philanthropic organisations, cross-sectoral collaboration and the digitalisation of services. The new approach to philanthropy has been welcomed by a younger generation of Saudis who are more digitally competent and who are showing a greater openness to the more formal approach to tackling social challenges, in line with global sectoral trends.
The Kingdom’s non-profit sector is growing at a faster rate than the government initially anticipated when it first established the long-term aims outlined in Vision 2030 in 2016, with the sector’s financial contribution and employment figures growing annually. This trend is expected to continue, as non-profit organisations raise greater awareness about social causes and Saudi Arabia comes to trust non-profit work more as strict transparency mechanisms are introduced for both better monitoring and reporting.
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