Support for Performance Program: Ministry of Culture empowers non-profit organizations

The Saudi Ministry of Culture has announced the opening of applications for its “Performance-Based Support Program,” aimed at non-profit cultural organizations in the Kingdom. This strategic initiative is a pivotal step in strengthening the role of these organizations in enriching the national cultural landscape and enabling them to achieve sustainability and a positive impact. Applications will be accepted from May 11 to June 22 through the program's dedicated online platform on the Ministry's official website.

The initiative's context is within the Kingdom's Vision 2030

This program falls within the broader framework of the national transformation process underway in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which places culture and the arts as a fundamental pillar of quality of life and the achievement of sustainable development, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030. Since its establishment in 2018, the Ministry of Culture has worked to build an integrated cultural ecosystem that supports the three sectors: governmental, private, and non-profit. Empowering the non-profit sector is a crucial element of this strategy, as it contributes to diversifying sources of cultural production, expanding community participation, and fostering innovation and creativity from the ground up.

Program objectives and diverse support pathways

The Performance-Based Support Program aims to achieve a set of strategic objectives, most notably fostering excellence in the performance of non-profit organizations, amplifying their contribution and impact in priority cultural areas, ensuring their financial sustainability, and enhancing their operational maturity and implementation capabilities. To achieve these objectives, the program offers six integrated support products:

• Support for projects and programs: Funding allocated to initiatives and projects that have a tangible and clear cultural impact.
• Capacity building support: Providing funding for consulting services and specialized training programs to improve the efficiency of organizations in administrative, financial and technical aspects.
• Start-up support: Financial assistance to newly established organizations to accelerate their maturation and overcome the challenges of the start-up phase.
• Emergency support: Supporting organizations facing exceptional financial or administrative difficulties to maintain their cultural role.
• Corporate Excellence Award: A financial award given to organizations that demonstrate excellence in implementing best practices in governance and management.
• Cultural Impact Grant: A discretionary grant for organizations that meet specific performance criteria and contribute strategically to enhancing cultural impact.

The importance and expected impact of the initiative

Domestically, the program is expected to contribute to a more dynamic cultural movement across the Kingdom by supporting local initiatives that reflect diverse cultural identities and address community concerns. It will also help build the capacity of Saudi nationals working in this vital sector. Regionally and internationally, strengthening the non-profit cultural sector will solidify the Kingdom's position as a leading cultural hub in the region, enhance its soft power by presenting authentic and innovative Saudi cultural products to the world, and open new avenues for international cultural cooperation and exchange.