Endowments Night raises 10 million riyals to support developmental housing
A unique initiative to promote social solidarity
In a move reflecting the depth of social solidarity and embodying the effective partnership between the government and non-profit sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the “Endowment Night” event, held as part of the national campaign “Generosity is from Us and Within Us,” successfully raised nearly 10 million Saudi riyals in donations. This unique initiative, organized through the “Jood Housing” platform, aims to provide housing units for the most needy Saudi families, thereby strengthening family stability and supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals in the developmental housing sector.
General context: Reviving the role of endowments in development
Islamic endowments (waqf) are considered one of the most important developmental and social tools in Islamic history, having played a pivotal role in financing education, healthcare, infrastructure, and the care of those in need throughout the ages. In the modern era, the Kingdom seeks to revive this central role by regulating and developing the endowment sector to align with contemporary requirements. The General Authority for Endowments serves as a regulatory and facilitating body, aiming to maximize the economic and social impact of endowments, ensure their sustainability, and guarantee their efficient governance. The “Jood Housing” platform is one of the fruits of this approach, launched with generous support from the wise leadership amounting to 150 million riyals.
Details of the "Endowments Night" and prominent contributions
The “Endowment Night” was held with the active participation of the General Authority for Endowments and a number of leading endowment and charitable institutions. The event witnessed a large turnout of donors who were quick to contribute to this charitable endeavor. Generous contributions stood out from several entities, including the Saleh Al Rajhi Endowments, which donated 3.9 million riyals, the Mutaib bin Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud Charitable Foundation, which donated 3 million riyals, and the Munira bint Abdulrahman Al Subhan Charitable Foundation, which donated 2.9 million riyals. These funds will be directed to support the “Jood Endowment Fund,” which works to provide sustainable housing solutions for eligible families registered on the “Jood Housing” platform.
Digital transformation and digital endowment certificate
The initiative went beyond simply collecting donations; it also saw the launch of the first-of-its-kind “Digital Endowment Certificate,” accredited by the General Authority for Endowments. This certificate is issued instantly to contributors to the “Jood Endowment Fund,” reflecting the advanced integration of endowment work with digital transformation in the Kingdom. This step enhances the reliability and transparency of charitable work, makes it easier for donors to track the impact of their contributions, and encourages the sustainability of charitable giving.
The importance and expected impact of the initiative
The “Endowment Night” initiative derives its significance from being a successful model of developmental partnership serving strategic national goals. Locally, the initiative directly contributes to the social stability of beneficiary families and improves their quality of life, a key pillar of the Quality of Life Program within Vision 2030. Regionally, the Kingdom presents a model to be emulated in how to activate the role of endowments through innovative and institutional methods to address social challenges, such as housing. The success of these campaigns reinforces the Kingdom’s position as a leading nation in humanitarian and sustainable development work.
