Giving is a large part of life in the Gulf. Muslims pay zakat, an obligatory annual charity, and many give sadaqah, voluntary charity, throughout the year and especially in Ramadan. Saudi Arabia's national Ehsan platform alone received more than SAR 4.5 billion in donations in 2025, according to Arab News. International charities and UN agencies raise funds in the region too, under strict fundraising laws. This guide explains nonprofit fundraising in the Middle East: the rules, zakat and Ramadan, digital donations and how to keep donors.
Fundraising Rules in the Gulf
Fundraising is regulated across the Gulf. In the UAE, Federal Law No. 3 of 2021 on donations allows only authorised entities to collect donations, and they need a fundraising permit from the competent authority. Individuals and unauthorised organisations cannot raise funds, and unlicensed online fundraising is also an offence. In Saudi Arabia, donations flow through licensed nonprofits and national platforms such as Ehsan, and the National Center for Non-Profit Sector regulates nonprofit organisations.
International charities usually raise funds in the region through a licensed local entity or a partnership with one. Check the rules in each country before you launch any campaign, including on social media. This is general information, not legal advice.
Zakat, Sadaqah and Ramadan
| Type of giving | When | What donors look for |
|---|---|---|
| Zakat | Once a year, often in Ramadan | Proof that funds reach eligible recipients under Islamic rules |
| Zakat al-Fitr | Before the Eid al-Fitr prayer | Simple, fast payment for each family member |
| Sadaqah | Any time, often in Ramadan | Clear projects and results |
| Waqf (endowment) | Long-term gifts | Lasting projects such as wells or schools |
Many donors give most during Ramadan, especially in the last ten nights. Plan Ramadan campaigns months ahead, with a zakat calculator and clear Arabic explanations of how zakat funds are used. UN agencies such as UNHCR run zakat programmes backed by religious rulings (fatwas) that explain how funds are distributed. Our Ramadan marketing guide covers timing and tone.
Digital Donation Pages
- A fast donation page in Arabic and English, with Apple Pay and local cards, and a zakat calculator on the same page.
- Monthly giving, and gifts made in the name of a family member.
- Clear project pages with photos, costs and progress.
- Receipts sent at once by email or SMS.
- A page that works well on phones, where many donors give.
Our guide to payment methods in the Middle East explains which options people use in each country.
Social Media and Video Appeals
Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube carry Ramadan campaigns, appeals and project updates. Video from the field shows donors where their money goes, as long as it is filmed with consent and respects the dignity of the people shown. Write Arabic captions in the dialect of each market. Creators and public figures can support licensed appeals, but check their permits in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as our guide to influencer advertising permits explains.
Corporate Giving and Partnerships
Companies in the Gulf support causes through corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, employee giving and Ramadan campaigns. Offer companies clear projects, reports and recognition, and run employee giving with matched donations. Our guide to ESG marketing in the Gulf explains how companies report on these programmes.
Trust and Transparency
Donors want to know that their money reaches the cause. Publish where funds go, how much reaches projects, your licence and your local partners. Show any religious rulings that support your zakat programmes. Send updates after each campaign, in Arabic and English, with photos and numbers, and reply to questions on social media quickly.
Keeping Donors
Thank donors at once, report results, invite them to give monthly and remind them before Ramadan. Group donors by cause and gift size, and use email and WhatsApp with their consent. Our Arabic email marketing guide explains how to plan these messages, and our guide to PDPL compliance covers consent.
Measuring Fundraising Campaigns
| Metric | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Donations by channel and campaign | Where money comes from |
| Cost per donation | The cost of each gift by channel |
| Monthly donors | Regular income for projects |
| Donor retention after Ramadan | Whether Ramadan donors give again |
| Average gift | Gift size by channel and campaign |
Common Mistakes in Gulf Fundraising
- Launching campaigns before the licence or local partner is in place.
- Ramadan campaigns that start after the month begins.
- No clear explanation of how zakat funds are used.
- Slow donation pages that do not work well on phones.
- No updates for donors after the campaign.
Conclusion
International charities raise more in the Middle East when they fundraise through licensed channels and plan for zakat and Ramadan early. Fast mobile donation pages, video from the field and clear reports to donors build trust and repeat giving. GOTOMENA runs Arabic social media campaigns for international organisations through our Arabic social media marketing services. To plan your next campaign, contact our team.