Generosity (karam) is one of the most valued traits in Arabian culture, and Saudi Arabia’s leaders have long presented charitable giving as a national duty. In recent years that tradition has moved onto regulated digital platforms, which make giving faster and much more transparent.
The roots: zakat, sadaqah and waqf
- Zakat is the obligatory annual charity paid by Muslims who meet a minimum wealth threshold, generally 2.5% of savings. In Saudi Arabia, zakat on businesses is collected by the state.
- Sadaqah is voluntary charity, given at any time and in any amount.
- Waqf is a permanent endowment: an asset whose income is devoted to good causes forever. Many mosques, wells and hospitals in the Kingdom are funded this way.
Jood Eskan: helping families find a home
Launched in 2019, the Jood Eskan platform lets citizens and residents contribute towards housing for families in need. According to Saudi Housing Minister Majed Al-Hogail, more than 4.5 million donors have contributed more than SR5 billion. It began with 100 families and now serves more than 50,000.
The housing sector’s non-profit network also includes more than 313 organisations and 345,000 volunteers, supporting over 106,000 families, plus a rent-support programme for about 6,600 families.
Leadership giving
Saudi leaders traditionally open major charity drives with personal donations. In Ramadan 2026, for example, the national Ehsan campaign was supported by a SR70 million donation from the Saudi leadership. Abroad, the Kingdom’s generosity is channelled through KSrelief.
How help actually reaches people
All of this support goes through licensed charities and government programmes that check eligibility. It is not distributed by individual sheikhs through social media, and nobody in this system asks applicants to pay a “processing fee”.
Sources
Arab News (16 February 2026 and 21 March 2026); Saudi Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
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