Article 8 of the Saudi Donation Collection Law

المادة 8 من نظام جمع التبرعات

The article sets the means of calling for donations: local media, local telecommunications companies, billboards and service bills, printed materials, social media and websites, and whatever the Implementing Regulations specify.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

تكون الدعوة إلى جمع التبرعات من خلال الوسائل الآتية:

1- وسائل الإعلام المحلية.

2- شركات الاتصالات المحلية، وفقاً للتعليمات المنظمة لذلك.

3- اللوحات الإعلانية، وفواتير الخدمات.

4- المطبوعات التي تعدها الجهة المرخَّص لها، وفقاً لنظامها أو لائحتها.

5- وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي، ومواقع الإنترنت.

6- أي وسيلة أخرى تحددها اللائحة.

This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers

Article 8 explained in plain English

This article sets out the means through which the call to collect donations is made, and they are six:

Local media.
Local telecommunications companies, in accordance with the instructions governing this.
Billboards and service bills.
Printed materials prepared by the licensed entity, in accordance with its regulations or bylaws.
Social media and websites.
Any other means the Implementing Regulations specify.

Note that the media and the telecommunications companies are described as local, and that calling through telecommunications companies is subject to the instructions governing this. The list is also left open for the Implementing Regulations to add other means.

Printed materials are restricted by Article 7, which bars the licensed entity from printing or publishing materials calling for donations unless its regulations or bylaws permit it. Article 9 then requires the entity, when calling for donations through any of these means, to include in its call the license number, the numbers of its approved bank accounts, the address of its head office or branches and its telephone numbers, and information about the purpose.

The practical effect for the donor is that a valid call comes through these means and from a licensed entity, and that the donor should check the information required in the call.

Practical example

A licensed association in Riyadh launched a campaign for providing iftar meals to fasting people. It published the call through its social media accounts and its website, and sent messages through a local telecommunications company in accordance with the instructions governing this, including in each call the information that Article 9 requires.

Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.

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