Alwaleed Philanthropies

What Alwaleed Philanthropies does

Alwaleed Philanthropies is a private Saudi Arabian philanthropic foundation established in 1984 by HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud and headquartered in Riyadh. The foundation initiates, supports, and collaborates on humanitarian projects across five impact areas — Women and Youth Empowerment, Developing Communities, Bridging Cultures, Disaster Relief, and Environmental Sustainability — operating through 190 countries with reported cumulative giving of approximately $5 billion, more than 1,000 projects, and 1.5 billion beneficiaries reached over its 45+ year history. Governance is led by HRH Prince Alwaleed as Chairman and HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majed Al Saud as Secretary General, with a small senior team of Saudi women overseeing operations. The foundation holds ISO 9001:2015 certification and maintains a regional subsidiary in Lebanon.

The foundation's portfolio is delivered primarily through partnerships with multilateral institutions, governments, and NGOs rather than direct implementation, with longstanding relationships including the World Scout Foundation, UN-Habitat, UNHCR, UNICEF, the World Food Program, Habitat for Humanity, Misr El Kheir Foundation, Gates Foundation, GAVI, the Carter Center, and UNESCO. Named programs include the Sutra housing rehabilitation initiative in Egypt (over 7,200 homes improved since 2017 toward a 10,000-home goal), the Waeya legal-empowerment initiative for Saudi women, the Ashoka social entrepreneurship program, the Mizwada artisan brand, women's Scout units at multiple Saudi universities, and the Ufuq AI-enabled educational initiative in Riyadh. Technology products include the Atlai 2.0 AI-powered environmental platform and smart-classroom AI learning systems.

The foundation is funded by the founder and charitable contributions and does not charge beneficiaries for its programs, making it a non-revenue-generating entity in the commercial sense. Its operating model is event- and partnership-driven grantmaking rather than product sales, and its measurable outputs are beneficiary counts, project completions, and geographic reach rather than revenue or ARR.

Name

Alwaleed Philanthropies

Legal name

Alwaleed Philanthropies (Alwaleed Bin Talal Al Saud Foundation)

Website

https://alwaleedphilanthropies.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Alwaleed Philanthropies is a Riyadh-based private foundation founded in 1984 by HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud that funds humanitarian projects across 190 countries through partnerships with UN agencies, governments, and NGOs, deploying roughly $5 billion cumulatively across five impact areas including women and youth empowerment, community development, disaster relief, cultural bridging, and environmental sustainability.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Global Philanthropy and Humanitarian Aid

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Family Offices & Philanthropic Advisors (Grantmaking) (BPAGAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD), Infrastructure, Housing & Community Development (BPAGABAL), Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs (HLAJAKAG), Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC)

Keywords

• Global humanitarian aid
• Women empowerment programs
• Disaster relief services
• Community development projects
• Cultural exchange initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Riyadh

HQ country

Saudi Arabia

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Programmatic giving and grants, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Funding: Alwaleed Philanthropies is a charitable organization that does not charge for its services. Funding comes from charitable contributions and is deployed through partnerships to support humanitarian projects globally.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Alwaleed Philanthropies initiates, supports, and collaborates on philanthropic projects and campaigns worldwide through five impact areas: Developing Communities, Women & Youth Empowerment, Bridging Cultures Together, Providing Disaster Relief, and Supporting a Healthier Environment. Programs include the AI-powered Atlai Platform, Ufuq educational initiative, Sutra housing rehabilitation in Egypt, Waeya legal empowerment for Saudi women, Ashoka social entrepreneurship, women's Scouting with the World Scout Foundation, Craft Training, Mizwada (House of Arabia), Metaverse Center, and cultural neighborhood partnerships with the Louvre, Pergamon, and leading universities.

Product overview

Alwaleed Philanthropies is a philanthropic organization operating across five impact areas: community development, women and youth empowerment, disaster relief, cultural bridging, and environmental sustainability. The organization implements various programs and initiatives including the AI-powered Atlai environmental platform, educational initiatives with smart technologies, housing rehabilitation projects, legal empowerment programs, entrepreneurship support, cultural exchange through metaverse and physical centers, and disaster relief operations spanning 190 countries with over $5 billion in global giving.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sutra Project: Housing rehabilitation project in Egypt implemented with Misr El Kheir Foundation
• Ufuq Initiative
• Waeya Initiative
• Ashoka Social Entrepreneurship Program
• Atlai Platform
• Multaka Program
• Mizwada

Products and services

• Atlai Platform (Atlai 2.0) AI-powered platform designed to support global environmental protection efforts and combat climate change.
• Ufuq Educational Initiative Educational initiative implementing smart classrooms with interactive screens and AI-powered learning platforms to enhance learning outcomes in targeted schools.
• Sutra Project Housing rehabilitation program in Egypt implemented with Misr El Kheir Foundation to improve living conditions for vulnerable families through renovation and roofing works.
• Waeya Initiative Legal support and protection initiative for women providing consultations, guidance, and training for Saudi female lawyers in personal status, labor, and criminal law.
• Ashoka Social Entrepreneurship Program Program enabling women to launch sustainable social enterprises through intensive training camps and mentorship, with over 100 women directly supported.
• Craft Training Program (Handicrafts for the Local Community) Specialized training program at King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve developing professional woodworking and handicraft skills for local women to create sustainable income sources.
• Women's Scouting Program Initiative establishing women's Scout units at universities in collaboration with World Scout Foundation, supporting female leadership development through international scouting events.
• Metaverse Center First Saudi humanitarian center on the metaverse launched on World Tolerance Day to advance cultural bridging through digital platforms.
• Alwaleed Cultural Neighborhood Cultural initiatives including partnerships with Louvre Museum Islamic Art Department, Pergamon Museum, and Alwaleed Centers at leading international universities for cultural exchange.
• Mizwada (House of Arabia) Initiative Brand supporting Saudi female artisans by marketing handcrafted products, preserving cultural heritage while providing economic independence.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.5 billion beneficiaries reached globally
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• AVPN (Asian Venture Philanthropy Network)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 July 2026Strategic MOU signed to advance philanthropy and social impact across Asia, combining Alwaleed Philanthropies' global experience with AVPN's regional network of philanthropists and social investors.
• UbercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Strategic partnership to advance economic empowerment of women and youth through transportation opportunities and professional development programs.
• UN-HabitatcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2026Partnership to advance inclusive housing and sustainable urban development, supporting vulnerable communities with adequate housing solutions.
• King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2026Launched craft training program for local community women, focusing on professional woodworking techniques to preserve national heritage and create sustainable income sources.
• HERFAH AssociationsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 7 May 2026Executive oversight for craft training program design, ensuring quality standards and professional finishing in wood carving.
• General Administration of Education in RiyadhcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2026Partnership under the Ufuq educational initiative to enhance learning environments through smart tools and AI technologies in four targeted schools.
• Takaful Charity FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2026Co-implementer of the Ufuq educational initiative, providing technology-enhanced learning solutions for students in Riyadh schools.
• Misr El Kheir Foundation (Egypt)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2026Long-standing partnership on the Sutra project to rehabilitate homes for vulnerable families in Egypt. Since 2017, over 7,200 homes improved, with goal of 10,000 homes over 10 years.
• World Food ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 May 2016Food assistance for Sri Lanka flood victims through strategic partnership.
• International Medical CorpscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 May 2016Medical assistance for Sri Lanka flood victims and affected hospitals.
• Habitat for HumanitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 May 2016Emergency shelter provision for Sri Lanka flood victims.
• World Food ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2016Partnership to provide food assistance to families affected by earthquakes in Japan and Ecuador.
• International Medical CorpscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2016Medical assistance to affected non-profit hospitals following Japan and Ecuador earthquakes.
• Habitat for HumanitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2016Emergency shelter kit delivery to assist communities and government in reconstruction after disasters.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 December 2013Donation of SR2 million through UNICEF to assist Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
• UNHCRcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 December 2013Support through UNHCR for Syrian refugees in Lebanon with humanitarian assistance.
• World Scout FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to establish first-ever women's Scout units in Saudi universities and empower women through scouting leadership programs.
• Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst women's Scout unit established and JOTA-JOTI digital scouting program launched at the university.
• King Khalid UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's Scout units established to empower female students through leadership and scouting activities.
• Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's Scout units established to provide leadership development opportunities for female students.
• Diriyah Gate Development AuthoritysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPioneering women's Scout unit established to promote leadership among women and youth.
• Saudi Arabian Scouts AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for Girl Scouts Committee chaired by Princess Sama bint Faisal bin Abdullah to promote scouting among women.
• Ashoka Arab WorldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial Entrepreneurship Program enabling over 100 women to launch sustainable social enterprises, with indirect impact on 5,000+ people.
• CareemsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to enable hundreds of women to gain economic independence as professional drivers (Captain program).
• KAUST AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen in STEM program providing advanced training in AI, bioinformatics, cybersecurity, and renewable energy with universities like Cambridge, MIT, and Oxford.
• Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint efforts in polio eradication and global health initiatives.
• GAVI AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVaccination programs for children in the world's poorest countries.
• The Carter CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuinea worm eradication and trachoma control programs.
• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth education and training initiatives for sustainable development and peace.
• ISESCOsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical and social convoys to support 10 countries.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: The world's largest private philanthropy, focused on global health and development. Directly comparable as a mega-scale private foundation working through multi-country grantmaking and partnerships with multilaterals like the UN and GAVI (explicitly cites joint GAVI polio work).
• Rockefeller Foundation: Historic US-based global philanthropy operating across multiple impact pillars with substantial deployment via partnerships. Comparable as a multi-pillar, multi-decade, founder-wealth-backed philanthropy that partners with UN agencies and deploys hundreds of millions globally.
• Aga Khan Foundation: International development foundation operating across health, education, culture, and rural development in multiple continents. Closely comparable as a Muslim-world-rooted philanthropy that explicitly combines community development, cultural bridging (akin to Alwaleed's Areas of Impact), and partnerships with global institutions.
• Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity: UAE-anchored global philanthropy recently established by the country's leadership, focused on health crises, climate, and inclusive development. Direct peer as a Gulf-based, founder-royalty-driven mega philanthropy with multi-pillar global grantmaking ambitions.
• Ford Foundation: Large US-based global grantmaking foundation active in inequality, education, and civic participation. Comparable as a multi-pillar private foundation with multi-billion-dollar deployment focused on social and economic development globally.
• Wellcome Trust: Major UK-based global charitable foundation focused on health research and global health. Comparable as a founder-wealth-backed, multi-billion-dollar private foundation with global health and climate programs executed via global partners.
• Bloomberg Philanthropies: Global philanthropy of Michael Bloomberg spanning public health, environment, education, and cities. Comparable as a high-profile, founder-capital-backed foundation with multi-pillar global programs operating in 190+ countries and partnering with cities and multilaterals.
• Mastercard Foundation: Large private Canadian foundation focused on financial inclusion, education, and youth employment in Africa. Comparable as a global multi-pillar foundation executing programs in dozens of countries through implementing partners and targeting youth economic empowerment.

Regional players

• King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief): Saudi government humanitarian aid agency operating globally in disaster relief and development. Regional peer in the same Saudi ecosystem with overlapping disaster-relief mission and similar cultural-bridging context, though funded publicly rather than as a private foundation.

Broad incumbents

• Qatar Foundation: Gulf-state institution for education, science, and community development, founded and chaired by Qatar's ruling family. Comparable as a royal-founder Gulf philanthropy, though broader and more institutionally embedded than Alwaleed Philanthropies' grantmaking model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/alwaleed_philan
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCcbnorgWmKB5sM1himuZlvQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlwaleedPhilanthropies
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alwaleed-philanthropies
• Instagraminstagram.com/alwaleed_philan

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Alwaleed Philanthropies