Royal Order transforms charity platform 'Ehsan' into independent non-profit foundation

RIYADH — A Royal Order has been issued to transform the National Platform for Charitable Work, “Ehsan,” into an independent, non-profit organization under the name Ehsan Foundation for Charitable Work. The foundation aims to strengthen charitable work and connect donors with beneficiaries by providing diverse donation opportunities. It will also enable individuals and companies to make donations and, in coordination with government and private entities, contribute to improving the efficiency of the Kingdom’s non-profit sector. The transformation builds on the support Ehsan has received since its establishment under a Royal Directive in 2021, when the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) was tasked with creating the platform under a strong governance framework to ensure donations reach eligible beneficiaries in social, religious, educational, food, housing and healthcare fields. The initiative formed part of national efforts to digitally empower the charitable sector and support the Kingdom’s leading position in charitable giving. Over more than five years, Ehsan has received support from donors and public and private entities across society. During this period, the platform has processed more than 440 million donation transactions worth a total of SR17 billion, reflecting public confidence in its role in empowering the Kingdom’s charitable sector. The transformation will strengthen the Ehsan Foundation’s ability to encourage innovation and develop the Ehsan platform’s services, helping support non-profit programs, services and platforms involved in donations while contributing to the unification of technical and technological efforts in charitable and development work. As an independent non-profit organization, the foundation will also have broader powers and greater flexibility, strengthening its sustainability and governance and enabling it to keep pace with changes. In coordination with government and private entities, it will contribute to improving the efficiency of the non-profit sector and promoting a culture of humanitarian work, volunteering, charitable giving and social responsibility among individuals and institutions. A Royal Order was also issued to form the Board of Trustees of the Ehsan Foundation for Charitable Work, chaired by Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, with Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi serving as deputy chairman. Board membership will be for a renewable three-year term. The board will also include Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi; the Governor of the General Authority for Awqaf; Eng. Abdulrahman bin Ibrahim bin Abdulrahman Al-Ruwaita; Adeeb bin Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Zamil; Princess Nouf bint Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Abdulrahman; Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen bin Mohammed Al-Khalaf; and Emad bin Abdulqader bin Abdulmohsen Al-Muhaidib. Ehsan is now moving into a new stage as an independent foundation designed to strengthen sustainability, expand opportunities for innovation and continue empowering the non-profit sector while maximizing its social and economic impact.