RIYADH: The winners of the 2025 King Khalid Award were announced at a ceremony in Riyadh on Monday, honoring leaders in development, sustainability and nonprofit excellence.
Speaking at the event held at the foundation’s headquarters, Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz, adviser to King Salman, chairman of the board of trustees and chairman of the award committee, highlighted the importance of supporting national development efforts.
He told Arab News: “Without a doubt, the award contributes very effectively in this field, as it focuses on sustainability across all areas.
“We strive to achieve a full positive impact in sustaining all the initiatives supported by the award, and I am certain that it plays a major role in advancing sustainability in the Kingdom.”
He added that the award will expand in the coming years to include new sectors, noting that tourism and culture will have dedicated categories starting from the next edition.
The King Khalid Award has for more than a decade recognized national leaders who solve complex challenges.
It was established in memory of the late King Khalid — Prince Faisal’s father — who led Saudi Arabia from 1975 to 1982.
In the Development Partners category, first place went to the Moddakir application for teaching the Holy Qur’an, followed by Hakina for Social Business in second place and the Waqf Maqaad Initiative in third.
In the Sustainability category, first place was awarded to STC, followed by the Saudi Arabian Mining Company in second place and Alinma Bank in third place.
For the Nonprofit Excellence Award, the Eastern Province Orphan Care Charity won first place, followed by the Hafr Al-Batin Orphan Care Association in second and Al-Ahsa Charity Association in third.
Saud Al-Shammari, secretary-general of the King Khalid Award, highlighted its role in strengthening the nonprofit ecosystem in the Kingdom.
He said that the foundation supports the sector through various programs, studies and strategic partnerships.
“We present this award to honor and support the winning nonprofit organization — through the award grant and by placing it under the national spotlight, from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the smallest public or private entity, to affirm that this organization is distinguished,” he told Arab News.
Al-Shammari added that evaluation criteria includes organizational impact, sustainability, governance standards, capital growth and an entity’s ability to attract donors and supporters.
He said that nonprofit organizations may generate profit, but all returns must be reinvested into programs that serve communities.
Established as a strategic national program, the King Khalid Award aims to drive sustainable development by empowering private-sector entities, nonprofit organizations and social initiatives to innovate and elevate their performance.
Over the years, the award has helped to promote outstanding national models that contribute to social and economic progress in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
