Maarouf Saad Social and Cultural Foundation

What Maarouf Saad Social and Cultural Foundation does

Maarouf Saad Social and Cultural Foundation (MSSCF) is a Lebanese secular, non-governmental association founded in 1980 in Saida, operating under public utility status granted by Lebanese decree 6005. It delivers an integrated portfolio of humanitarian and development services to marginalized populations in Saida and inside Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp, with stated reach of more than 42,000 healthcare beneficiaries annually, 650 children in academic support, 2,000+ women in sexual and reproductive health, and 4,000+ families in emergency assistance. Service lines include a Mental Health Program (launched 1999), a Primary Healthcare Program, the Hayat sexual and reproductive health program, a Women's Economic Empowerment program, an Academic Support program, and Emergency and Social Assistance delivered through a 250-strong crisis volunteer network and a 100-person trained Popular Rescue Team.

Service delivery is anchored by a multi-site physical footprint: the Maarouf Saad Clinic (Ain al-Hilweh / Taamir area), Natasha Saad Popular Clinic (Saida Old City), Saida National School (kindergarten and elementary, 1978), Natasha Saad National School (1985), Mada Community Center (Old City), and a mobile clinic activated during crisis. The foundation's business model is donation-driven rather than commercial: revenue derives from institutional donors (notably NORWAC, the Norwegian Aid Committee, as anchor partner since 1999), Lebanese government partnerships (Ministry of Public Health), international NGO partnerships, local philanthropy, and modest user fees (healthcare at symbolic rates; school tuition approximately $500 per year). Operations are staffed by a small core team of 7 paid employees supplemented by a 13-member Board, 74-member General Assembly, 100 PRT volunteers, and 250 crisis volunteers, with leadership since 2021 under Executive Director Wael Al-Qabisi (وائل القبرصلي).

The foundation functions as a multi-decade community institution whose competitive position rests on physical access inside sensitive geographies, a recognized brand tied to the Saad family legacy, and a diversified service portfolio that compounds beneficiary stickiness. There is no disclosed AI, digital platform, or technology layer; operations are conventional NGO service delivery.

Name

Maarouf Saad Social and Cultural Foundation

Legal name

Maarouf Saad Social and Cultural Foundation

Website

https://maaroufsaadfoundation.wordpress.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Maarouf Saad Social and Cultural Foundation is a Lebanese non-profit founded in 1980 operating primary healthcare clinics, schools, community centers, and social programs serving marginalized communities in Saida through integrated mental health, education, healthcare, and emergency assistance services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health and Social Services (NGO)

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Social Assistance (624), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations (BPAGACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs (HLAJAKAG)

Keywords

• Community health services
• Primary healthcare clinics
• Mental health programs
• Social assistance services
• Community education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Saida (Sidon)

HQ country

Lebanon

HQ region

Middle East

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Relies on donations from friends, local and international donors to fund emergency assistance and social programs targeting hardship cases in Saida and neighborhoods.
2. International Development Partner Funding: Long-term partnerships with international organizations like NORWAC supporting mental health programs and academic support initiatives since 1999.
3. Government Partnership Programs: Cooperation with Ministry of Public Health for chronic diseases program and vaccination campaigns; services provided at symbolic fees with frequent exemptions.
4. Educational Services: School fees for Lebanese and Palestinian children at Saida National School and Natasha Saad National School, with scholarship programs available (US$ 500 per school year).
5. Healthcare Services Revenue: Primary healthcare clinics providing consultations, dental care, laboratory tests, and medications at symbolic fees with frequent exemptions for low-income beneficiaries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The foundation delivers community-based social, healthcare, mental health, and educational services to marginalized populations in Saida and South Lebanon. Its core offerings span primary healthcare clinics (treating ~42,000 beneficiaries annually), the Mental Health Program for children and mothers (20,000+ beneficiaries since 1999), the Hayat sexual and reproductive health program, Academic Support for 650 children aged 8-14, Women's Economic Empowerment, Emergency & Social Assistance for 4,000+ hardship families, and a Popular Rescue Team of 100 volunteers. It also operates two schools (Saida National School and Natasha Saad National School) and the Mada Community Center as a hub for psychosocial and community activities.

Product overview

Maarouf Saad Social and Cultural Foundation is a non-governmental, secular association established in 1980 that provides community social services through multiple interconnected programs and facilities. The foundation operates a portfolio of community-based services including Mental Health Program (launched 1999), Primary Health Care Program with clinics and mobile services, Sexual & Reproductive Health Program (Hayat Program), Women Economic Empowerment Program, Academic Support Program, Emergency & Social Assistance Program, and Popular Rescue Team. The organization also operates educational institutions including Saida National School and Natasha Saad National School, along with Mada Community Center as a hub for community activities. These programs work together through a network of healthcare facilities, community centers, and schools to serve marginalized communities in Saida and surrounding areas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mada Community Center: Community center in Saida old city providing mental health, academic support, and psychosocial services
• Hayat Program

Products and services

• Mental Health Program Pioneer mental health program providing psychological support and awareness services for children and mothers in marginalized communities in Saida; has assisted more than 20,000 direct beneficiaries since 1999.
• Primary Health Care Program Primary healthcare clinics providing consultations for displaced and local communities including general practitioners, gynecologists, pediatricians, chronic disease management, dental care, laboratory tests, ECGs, ultrasounds, vaccination, and medication at symbolic fees; treats approximately 42,000 beneficiaries annually.
• Sexual and Reproductive Health Program (Hayat Program) Program targeting young pregnant women and women/girls under 40, focusing on promoting normal delivery, breastfeeding, and enhancing women's capacity to defend their rights pre and post-delivery; more than 2,000 women and girls trained.
• Women Economic Empowerment Program Program empowering women and girls economically through sewing factory, crochet workshops, and makeup workshops.
• Academic Support Program Academic support program targeting 650 children aged 8-14 annually, primarily drop-outs and those with learning difficulties; provides tutoring in various subjects and languages plus tablets and computers for online learning support.
• Emergency and Social Assistance Program Emergency assistance program targeting more than 4,000 families of hardship cases in Saida, providing food packages, medical supplies, cash assistance for surgical operations, medication, wheelchairs, eyeglasses, mattresses, walkers, diapers, and winter clothing for children.
• Popular Rescue Team Dedicated team of 100 trained volunteers providing emergency intervention including transport of injured, first aid relief, transport of disabled patients, fire disaster relief, blood donation campaigns, and vaccination campaign support in coordination with Lebanese Red Cross.
• Saida National School Kindergarten and elementary school situated in Saida Old Town, annually serving up to 700 Lebanese and Palestinian children with scholarships available at US$500 per school year.
• Natasha Saad National School Kindergarten and elementary school situated in Taamir/Ain al-Hilweh area, annually serving Lebanese and Palestinian children from the local community with scholarships available.
• Mada Community Center Community center located in Saida Old City providing safe spaces for children and women, psychological support services, academic support, and various community programs; serves as a hub for the Mental Health Program activities.
• Mobile Clinic Mobile clinic providing medical care including field visits, consultations, drug distribution, and referrals; conducted 33 field visits with 1,726 consultations during the September-November 2024 war period.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20,000+ direct beneficiaries served through Mental Health Program since 1999
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• NORWAC (Norwegian Aid Committee)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1999Long-standing partnership since 1999 supporting the Mental Health Program for Children and Mothers. NORWAC has been the fundamental supporter of the mental health program, providing funding, training, and technical assistance. Representatives including Crystal Hallerstad, Sissel Fiveland, Sona Holaan, Dagfinn Bjorklid, Bendik Survik, and Frederic Aurelli have worked with the foundation over the years.
• Jessheim High School (Norway)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1999Partnership since 1999 supporting academic programs. Jessheim High School supported the Academic Support Program and helped provide tablets and computers for children to study online during the Corona crisis.
• UNICEFmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported workshops and training sessions including a workshop on 'Communication with Local Communities for Dignified Services and Community Awareness and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse' conducted at Mada Community Center.
• YMCAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation on chronic diseases program in partnership with Ministry of Public Health. YMCA collaborates on healthcare service delivery at primary care clinics.
• Lebanese Red CrossmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPopular Rescue Team coordinates closely with Lebanese Red Cross for emergency response, blood donation campaigns, and vaccination campaigns in south Lebanon.
• Ministry of Public Health (Lebanon)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partnership for chronic diseases program and vaccination campaigns. Maarouf Saad Popular Clinic is licensed by Ministry of Health since 1980. Foundation became part of Disaster & Risk Management Unit at municipality.
• Municipality of SaidacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation became part of Disaster & Risk Management Unit at the municipality, enhancing cooperation and transparency with all local and international partners.
• Goethe InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for BibBus activities at Mada Community Center, conducting interactive educational activities with youth to raise awareness about the importance of reading books.
• Women Protection Network in South LebanonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint workshops on breast cancer awareness and women's protection issues conducted at Mada Community Center.
• Al-Amal Foundation for the DisabledmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership spanning over 30 years with joint activities including inclusive events and the 'Kenza wa Sanabla' relief program. Foundation produces winter clothing and grain assistance.
• Najdet Social Association (جمعية النجدة الاجتماعية)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint workshops on gender-based violence, gender and rights, life skills, and mental health conducted at Mada Community Center. Partnership under the coordination of Hope Najzar, project coordinator for protection in Saida area.
• Association of Social Work SpecialistsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint workshop in cooperation with the Association of Social Work Specialists in Lebanon on communication with local communities for dignified services.
• Norwegian Embassy in LebanonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisit by Norwegian Ambassador Lena Natasha Lind including discussions on joint projects with the Norwegian Embassy and NORWAC.
• Arab Resource Center/WorkshopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on educational project for 25 mothers from local community in Saida over six months, covering child development topics.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Embrace (Lebanon): Lebanese mental health support organization addressing community mental health gaps — comparable mental health service focus for underserved Lebanese populations.
• Lebanese Red Cross: National emergency response and healthcare organization that partners with Maarouf Saad's Popular Rescue Team; directly comparable emergency, blood donation, and vaccination service delivery.
• Caritas Lebanon: Major Lebanese social services NGO operating health centers, schools, and emergency assistance programs nationwide — directly comparable integrated social welfare delivery model.
• Arcenciel: Lebanese non-profit delivering community development, rehabilitation, and social support services — comparable integrated community support model.
• AMEL Association: Lebanese NGO delivering integrated health, education, psychosocial, and emergency response services to marginalized communities across Lebanon — closely comparable multi-program community service model.
• Restart Center for Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence and Torture: Lebanese non-profit providing psychosocial and mental health support to vulnerable populations, including children and mothers — directly comparable mental health program focus.
• Al-Amal Foundation for the Disabled: Long-standing Lebanese disability and community support NGO with 30+ year partnership history with the foundation — comparable community-based social service delivery in Lebanon.
• Najdet Social Association: Partner Lebanese social association conducting joint gender-based violence and mental health workshops at Mada Community Center — directly comparable local community social service provider.

Broad incumbents

• UNRWA (Lebanon Field Office): UN agency serving Palestinian refugees in Lebanon (including in Ain al-Hilweh where the foundation operates schools/clinics) — comparable health, education, and emergency service delivery to overlapping beneficiary populations.
• UNICEF Lebanon: Major institutional funder and broader-incumbent partner supporting the foundation's child-focused workshops and programs — comparable child welfare and education focus at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MaaroufSaadFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maarouf-saad-social-and-cultural-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Maarouf Saad Social and Cultural Foundation