In a sweeping enforcement move, Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Nonprofit Sector (NCNP) has referred 21 commercial entities, 26 websites, and three influencers to the authorities for regulatory action after uncovering multiple violations tied to nonprofit operations.
This isn’t just a slap on the wrist. The NCNP has also issued formal warnings to four civil society organizations, dissolved one organization’s board of directors, and temporarily barred an employee from continuing work in the sector. On the fundraising front, four individuals were cited for violations, and 39 donation-related reports were formally addressed. The crackdown involved 10 detailed investigation sessions.
The action follows a routine evaluation of the nonprofit ecosystem, aimed at ensuring that organizations operate within legal frameworks. The NCNP made the revelations in its June 2025 sector update, a report that also had brighter news: six new civil society associations and two nonprofit foundations were registered last month, covering development sectors across the Kingdom. As of the end of June, Saudi Arabia now hosts 6,348 officially registered nonprofit organizations.
The center also issued 250 licenses in June alone, authorizing nonprofits to collect donations under monitored conditions.
Calling for unity and accountability, the NCNP urged both organizations and individuals to stick closely to regulatory guidelines and communicate via official platforms. The center stressed the need for tighter coordination to boost the social and economic impact of the nonprofit space and to align its output with national development goals.
Beyond enforcement, the center also rolled up its sleeves during the recent Hajj season. Over 34,000 volunteers clocked more than two million hours supporting charitable and civic efforts—a testament to the scale and spirit of the sector when things run right.
