Program launched to empower young Saudis in nonprofit sector

The second Saudi Philanthropic Fellowship program, organized in tandem with the King Khalid Foundation (KKF) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was launched on Saturday at the KKF’s headquarters.
Called Shaghaf, meaning “passion,” the program will aim to attract young Saudis curious about careers in the nonprofit sector by providing information, improving its image, and organizing international training and experience.
Shaghaf will run for 16 months, and include intensive lessons in the management of nonprofit organizations at Columbia Business School, as well as visits to various non-profit organizations based in New York.
Monthly orientation and vocational guidance sessions will also take place, in addition to quarterly developmental workshops.
Princess Banderi bint Abdulrahman Al-Faisal, director general of the KKF, said. “The partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will change our view of the nonprofit sector in line with Vision 2030 project,” she said.
Work is scheduled to start between participants and nine nonprofit organizations in January 2019, including the Society of Majid bin Abdul Aziz for Development and Social Services, Ghadan Consulting and Capacity Building, the Salem bin Mahfouz Foundation, and the Zahra Association.
The Wareef Charity, Tasamy for Social Entrepreneurship, Mawaddah Women’s Charity for Reduction of Divorce, Al-Nahda Philanthropic Society for Women, and Al-Ahsa’s King Khalid Foundation for People with Disabilities will also take part.