The Saudi non-profit sector has, for the first time in its history, surpassed a contribution of SR100 billion to the national economy, which equates to 3.3 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).

This milestone was detailed in a recent report, 'Prospects for the Non-Profit Sector 2025,' prepared by the King Khalid Foundation.

According to the report, various components of the non-profit sector played key roles in this economic achievement.

Endowments accounted for SR48 billion, as reported by the General Authority for Awqaf, while non-profit organizations contributed SR47 billion in expenditures, based on data from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

Additionally, the economic value added by volunteering was estimated at SR5 billion, and cooperative societies contributed SR2 billion, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

The robust growth of the sector is projected to enable it to meet the Vision 2030 goal of reaching 5 percent of GDP two years ahead of schedule.

Within the sector, education and research organizations led in revenue generation, totaling more than SR19 billion, while health organizations reported the highest level of spending at SR15 billion, largely due to the transformation of government assets in health and education into non-profit entities.

Organizations focused on culture, entertainment, and social services noted the highest employment rates in the sector.

The report also highlighted the dynamics of funding sources, notably the impact of government support and digital donation platforms, which together raised over SR15 billion in 2024. The National Platform for Charitable Work (Ehsan) benefitted from contributions from a large number of small donors—donations of SR1, SR10, and SR100—while major philanthropy, defined as donations of SR100,000 or more, constituted 26 percent of total contributions.

Community engagement in non-profit activities reflects a growing trend among Saudi citizens, with 23 percent having volunteered and 47 percent having donated in 2024. This engagement suggests an increased prioritization of social responsibility within society.

Additionally, confidence in the non-profit sector has risen, with 86 percent of Saudis expressing trust in its functions, a notable increase from 73 percent in 2017.

The 'Non-Profit Sector Outlook Report' is recognized as the first comprehensive reference on the economic and developmental contributions of the non-profit sector in Saudi Arabia.