Okaz Newspaper, 15 May 2026: The executive bylaw of the Fundraising Regulation Law officially came into effect, introducing strict rules to protect charitable funds and enhance trust in the non‑profit sector by distinguishing regulated activity from unlawful practices.
The bylaw prohibits cash donations in public spaces, restricting fundraising to bank transfers and approved electronic channels such as official websites, apps, ATMs, and SMS services. Any manual collection of funds outside these channels is deemed a violation.
For donations from abroad, the bylaw requires approval from a high‑level committee chaired by the National Center for Non‑Profit Sector Development, with membership from sovereign authorities including the Interior, Foreign Affairs, and State Security ministries.
A key provision mandates that all individuals managing fundraising campaigns and disbursement of funds must be Saudi nationals, with their names submitted to the state to ensure accountability and transparency.
The rules also extend to in‑kind donations (clothing, food, equipment), which cannot be collected outside designated premises without prior approval and precise location data. Donated items must meet quality and safety standards.
Confiscated funds under judicial rulings will be redirected to charitable purposes within the Kingdom, such as orphan care, mosques, healthcare, and education projects, under the authority of the licensed entity’s senior official.
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