Kuwait to classify charities within a month under new regulatory framework

The Ministry of Social Affairs has issued a decision to establish 11 regulatory bodies to oversee charitable work in Kuwait. Within one month, all registered charitable associations will be classified into three categories—committed, partially compliant, or non-compliant—based on adherence to newly issued rules.

Undersecretary Dr. Khaled Al-Ajmi addressed the decision to charity board chairmen, stressing that donation collection links must not be created or published through intermediaries like marketers or volunteer teams, but only on official websites. Prior approval is also required for any case-specific donation links, reports Al-Rai daily.

Key requirements include transparency in recording administrative deductions on all advertisements, a prohibition on contracting marketing or publicity firms to manage donation platforms, and a ban on engaging influencers or preachers without ministry consent and full contract disclosure.

Charities must enter donation data into the ministry’s automated system by the following business day and provide detailed reports on checks, transfers, and bank deductions. Daily reports must include donor names, amounts, and project details.

Field inspection teams will monitor compliance. Non-compliant charities will be barred from collecting donations. Relief campaigns abroad must receive prior Ministry of Foreign Affairs approval, specify duration and partners, and, where applicable, use licensed local projects instead of launching new campaigns.

Charities are also required to work through the Central Aid Program for all cases, appoint internal auditors and compliance officers, and file regular financial and compliance reports.

The Ministry has set governance criteria across four areas to evaluate charities:

• Financial performance, including audited reports and donor transparency.
• Administrative structure, with internal controls, trained staff, and active compliance units.
• Project oversight, measuring progress, risk management, and localization.
• External project tracking, evaluating implementation quality, documentation, and coordination with partners.

  Violations may result in suspension or dissolution under existing laws and ministerial resolutions.