Makkah Associations Forum: Only 5% allocated for impact measurement and sustainability plans

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Discussions at the second forum for associations in the governorates and villages of the Makkah region revealed a reality that requires serious attention to correct the course of the non-profit sector. It was found that allocations for impact measurement in the majority of charitable organizations do not exceed 5% of their total budgets. This figure is a worrying indicator, reflecting one of the most significant challenges facing charitable and developmental work in its journey towards achieving efficiency and financial and institutional sustainability.

The forum was launched under the patronage of the Deputy Governor of Mecca

The forum commenced in Jeddah under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, under the theme "From Impact to Sustainability." The event witnessed a remarkable turnout and broad participation from leaders in the non-profit sector, decision-makers, and representatives of donor agencies, in addition to more than 300 organizations and civil society associations representing various governorates and villages in the region, reflecting the growing interest in developing this vital sector.

Context of National Transformation and Vision 2030

This forum is being held at a strategically important time, coinciding with the major transformations taking place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030. The Vision places great emphasis on the non-profit sector, aiming to increase its contribution to the GDP to 5% and reach one million volunteers. To achieve these ambitious goals, traditional charitable work is no longer sufficient; rather, the shift towards institutional work based on measuring social impact and return on investment has become an urgent necessity to ensure that resources are directed towards the most beneficial and sustainable projects.

Forum objectives: From pastoral to developmental

The forum primarily aims to bring about a qualitative shift in the performance of NGOs, especially those operating in villages and governorates, through:

Building an integrated system to measure impact and enhance its effectiveness.
Raising awareness among associations about sustainability concepts and linking them to national development goals.
Enabling the use of modern measurement tools such as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology.

Professor Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Osaimi, CEO of the “Tanmia” Association, explained that the forum was designed to provide practical content that helps associations improve the quality of their decisions and enhance the credibility of their reports to donors and supervisory bodies.

Challenges in measuring impact and proposed solutions

The forum openly discussed the challenges hindering impact measurement, which coincide with the rapid growth in the number of organizations. Among the most prominent of these challenges are:

Data and technology gaps: Weak efficiency of data collection and analysis systems, and failure to make the most of artificial intelligence.
Lack of unified standards: The associations' lack of national reference frameworks makes it difficult to compare results and unify efforts.
Weak funding directed towards measurement: Research and measurement budgets are neglected in favor of direct implementation, which weakens the ability to develop the work in the future.

Strategic outputs and promising partnerships

The forum did not merely diagnose the current situation; it also witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements and strategic partnerships between associations and the private sector. Work is also underway to prepare a recommendations document to be submitted to official bodies for the adoption of a unified national framework for impact measurement. The forum showcased more than 10 success stories of rural associations that have achieved tangible impact, confirming that the transition from short-term impact to long-term sustainability is the optimal choice for maximizing community benefit in the Makkah region and throughout the Kingdom.