RIYADH — Princess Banderi Bint Abdulrahman AlFaisal, the Director General of the King Khalid Foundation (KKF), disclosed that Riyadh-based foundation assists the Kingdom to boost nonprofit sector contribution in the GDP to stand at 5% by 2030.

According to the latest government statistics, the nonprofit sector accounts for less than 1% of GDP.

“The sector has witnessed tremendous changes in the last decade and is now ready to join forces with other public and private sectors and achieve both the Kingdom’s development and 2030 Vision,” Princess Banderi said in a published interview with Philanthropy Age Magazine.

The Princess called upon nonprofit entities in the Kingdom to focus on sustainability and impact, not on cash handouts and charity, indicating that KKF plays a major role by directing its efforts towards building the capacities of local NGOs and attempting to change prevailing mindsets.

She added “we aim to help cultivate and scale the country’s fledgling nonprofit sector to meet national challenges and lobby for socioeconomic change, and while there is still much work to be done, change is underway.”

To address the nonprofit sector challenges, the Director General said that KKF has created different initiatives which would position the sector as one with legitimate career aspect and gain an affinity for philanthropy.

Last year, KKF has teamed up with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to fund “Shaghaf”, the Saudi Philanthropic Fellowship Program.

Shaghaf meaning “passion” has kicked off to take 10 young Saudis to do a two-year placement with an NGO in Saudi Arabia, a summer course at New York’s Columbia University and an internship at the Gates Foundation. The Princess hoped that the professional skills gained from the program will aid in building a solid strategic infrastructure for the nonprofit sector.

The Princess hailed the efforts played by King Khalid Foundation to influence decision-makers in the Kingdom, referring to the Council of Ministers which passed Women and Child Abuse Prevention Law in 2013.

“The law was triggered by King Khalid Foundation as we have an internal unit that focuses on evidence-based policymaking to influence decision-makers and the plan is to increase that aspect of efforts,” said Director General Princess Banderi. — SG