Non-profit & Associations Lawyers in Jeddah

Non-profit associations & foundations law in Jeddah: a legal structure fundamentally different from a commercial company

The Law of Associations and Foundations issued by Royal Decree M/8 governs establishing two different entities: an association (an organization of people for a non-profit purpose, with a general assembly and members), and a foundation (an entity one or more persons establish by allocating funds for a public benefit purpose, with a board of trustees, not members). Choosing the right form from the start determines the entity's entire governance structure later.

The National Center for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector: the direct reference authority

The National Center receives establishment applications electronically and issues the license once legal personality is acquired (within 60 days of completing documents), coordinating with the body overseeing the entity's main activity. Legal personality begins from the approval decision's date, not the application filing date.

Fundraising: needs a separate prior license

Any fundraising campaign needs a prior license from the competent body, with collected funds deposited into dedicated bank accounts and periodic reports submitted on their use. The national "Ehsan" platform has become the accredited channel for documenting electronic donations and connecting donors with licensed associations, and fundraising outside this official framework exposes the association to liability.

Our non-profit association and foundation services

• Establishing associations and foundations and choosing the most suitable legal form
• Drafting the bylaws and internal governance structure
• Obtaining fundraising licenses and connecting them to the Ehsan platform
• Addressing administrative or financial violations before the National Center and supervising body

How we start

1. We discuss your non-profit entity's goals and choose the most suitable legal form
2. We draft the bylaws and submit the establishment application to the National Center
3. We follow through to the license being issued and starting fully legal activity

To establish a non-profit association or foundation in Jeddah, contact us on WhatsApp.

Related links