How many NGOs are there in Saudi Arabia, and who registers them?
GiveRadar tracks 68 NGOs and charities in Saudi Arabia. This is a curated directory compiled from arab.org, not the official register. Saudi associations and foundations are licensed under the 2015 Law of Associations and Foundations, now mainly through the National Center for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector.
The National Center runs its own searchable directory of non-profit entities, which is the fuller official source. GiveRadar's list is a directory slice, not that register, and does not confirm current licensing.
Is charitable fundraising controlled in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, strictly. Collecting donations requires a separate authorization, and being licensed as an entity is not enough on its own to run a campaign.
The National Center publishes a public directory and a Donate Safely checker for whether a fundraising campaign is licensed, so a donor can confirm that a specific appeal is authorised before giving.
What does registration in Saudi Arabia prove, and what does it not?
A licensing record supports that an entity was legally established under the relevant framework and identifies its approved form. It is legal recognition, not a verdict on the organization.
It does not prove current compliance, endorse the organization's work, confirm that a website, bank account or representative is genuine, or make donations tax-deductible. Zakat and tax treatment are conditional and depend on the recipient and the rules.
How do you check a Saudi charity before you donate?
Check the organization in the National Center's directory and verify any fundraising licence separately. A name in a directory is a starting point, not proof of standing.
- Match the registration number and legal name in the National Center's directory of non-profit entities.
- Confirm a campaign is licensed through the Donate Safely checker.
- Ask for recent accounts and evidence of completed work.
- See GiveRadar's integrity score methodology for what each data point proves.