Alwaleed Philanthropies
/OVERVIEW: The Alwaleed Philanthropies is committed to promoting progressive ideals in the Islamic world and globally. It supports efforts in the fields of economic development, climate change, infrastructure, women’s rights and empowerment, humanitarian aid and cross-cultural understanding between the Islamic and Western worlds.
IP TAKE: Grantseekers should note that this funder prioritizes organizations that work in the Islamic world, especially in thet Middle East and Africa. Exceptions include the Bridging Cultures Together and Supporting a Healthier Environment grantmaking areas, which are global in scope. Alwaleed tends to work closely with and provide ongoing support to large nonprofits and NGOs working in its specific areas of interest. This is a fairly approachable funder, but it does not provide specific information about how to begin the grant application process. Grantseekers working in Alwaleed’s areas of interest should sign up for the organization’s newsletter and reach out via email or phone to discuss opportunities with the philanthropies’ staff.
PROFILE: Alwaleed Philanthropies, formerly the Al-Waleed bin Talal Humanitarian Foundation is the personal philanthropic vehicle of Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, a billionaire and member of the Saudi royal family. In 2015, Prince Al-Waleed made the decision to unify his three charitable organizations—"one in Saudi Arabia, one global, and one dedicated to meeting the social and community needs of Lebanon”—under one roof. The foundation currently “supports and initiates projects that contribute to a more compassionate, tolerant and accepting world.” Its stated impact areas are Developing Communities, Women & Youth Empowerment, Bridging Cultures Together, Providing Disaster Relief and Supporting a Healthier Environment.
Grants for Global Development
Alwaleed’s Developing Communities focus area works to “ensure dignity and opportunity, regardless of culture, creed, faith or location” by supporting “sustainable projects to alleviate poverty in the most deprived communities of the world.” Its work in this area consists of projects such as poverty and famine relief, economic development, health, education, infrastructure, and social entrepreneurship. Past projects and partners include the “Lighting up Lives” campaign to bring electricity to rural Saudi Arabia, the “Prisoners in Debt” program to help reintegrate ex-convicts in Egypt, and the Carter Center’s efforts to eliminate Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, in Ethiopia.
Grants for Women and Girls
Alwaleed’s Women and Youth Empowerment program aims to “support women around the world to achieve equality and enable the youth of today to create a better tomorrow.” Specific areas of funding interest include women’s rights, access to education and employment opportunities, and women’s intellectual freedom. Past grantees in the women’s empowerment space include the Wa’iyah Intiative, which received support for its work empowering Saudi women. It also funded the Mawaddah Foundation, which received funding for its work training Saudi female law graduates.
Grants for Disaster and Humanitarian Relief
Alwaleed’s Disaster Relief focus area works with “active international organizations in afflicted areas, local embassies and effective, accountable transparent partners to bring vital relief to ease the suffering of survivors.” Past grantees in this field include the International Medical Corps which received funding for its response and relief work related to the earthquakes in Nepal; and the Turkish Red Crescent Society, which received funding for its work regarding the Soma Mine Explosion in Turkey.
Grants for Environment, Climate Change and Clean Energy
Alwaleed’s newest funding area, Supporting a Healthier Environment, makes grants to “build environmentally conscious communities, promote better resource management, and clean energy technologies.” Recent grants have supported Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a U.S. based climate-technology venture capital fund, and the Nubian Vault, an African organization that works to build ecologically sustainable housing and train young people to work in this field.
Grants for Higher Education
Alwaleed’s Bringing Cultures Together focus area promotes “intercultural and interfaith dialogue and understanding through academia and creative learning.” To that end, the foundation has worked to establish and endow Prince Alwaleed Academic Centers at universities and institutions around the world, including Georgetown, Harvard, the Louvre, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cambridge, Edinburgh American University in Beirut, and American University in Cairo. The centers based in the United States and Europe are dedicated to Islamic civilization studies, while those in Lebanon and Egypt focus on Western culture.
Important Grant Details:
Because it is based mainly in Saudi Arabia and does not file taxes in the U.S., it is difficult obtain information about Alwaleed Philathropies’ funding practices. Individual grants appear to be large, however, ranging from $100,000 to over $1 million. This funder tends to provide ongoing support to grantee partners with which it shares goals. For additional information about past grants, see the foundation’s impact areas page.
Alwaleed Philanthropies does not provide information about how to apply for grants on its website. Grantseekers may sign up for the organization’s newsletter or reach out via email or telephone at +966-11-211-0000 to explore opportunities.
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