Ehsan platform and the digitization of noble contributions

Since the company’s inception 25 years ago, we at BMG Foundation have prided ourselves on being one of the first organizations to coin the term corporate social responsibility. Since then, organizations such as Saudi National Bank, Savola and Abdul Latif Jameel have started to introduce specially designed CSR programs to support qualified beneficiaries in the country. Also, prominent old-money families such as Al-Rajhi, Al-Subaie, Al-Sharbatly, Bin Mahfouz, Al-Jomiah, Al-Fozan and others long ago set up in-house charitable organizations and foundations.

It is worth noting that, last week, the BMG Foundation’s latest CSR initiative was completed after three months of its tour of government and local universities in the Kingdom. This campaign aimed to encourage university students to unlock their talents by designing the most innovative and creative awareness campaign, be it an image or short video, in three categories: safe driving, water conservation, and adopting a healthy lifestyle. The awards ceremony will be held next month, when the six winners will be awarded prizes in the presence of senior officials, the families of the winners and sponsors of the awareness campaign.

As part of the Saudi Vision 2030 overall plan to enhance the quality of life in the Kingdom, including streamlining charitable contributions in the country, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority two years ago launched the Ehsan platform to support charitable giving via an organized and guaranteed digital system. Last Monday, the third national campaign took place, coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan, in which a large number of beneficiaries received donations from individuals, companies, banks and other donors through this platform. Ehsan eases the efforts of donors and philanthropists, reduces the difficulties in making bank transfers and organizes payment portals through laptops or even mobile phones.

Ehsan eases the efforts of donors and philanthropists, reduces the difficulties in making bank transfers and organizes payment portals

The Ehsan platform has developed among the masses the trend and culture of community solidarity in line with the goals of Vision 2030. Nationals and residents from different age groups and all levels of society have started to use Ehsan to support community projects and humanitarian cases by donating through this reliable official channel. Since its inception, Ehsan has managed to consolidate beneficiaries in one national platform that guarantees transparency to the donors and provides beneficiaries with various donation opportunities that are updated continuously. To increase awareness of the third campaign, the proceedings of the donations event were broadcast live on the Al-Ekhbariya television channel.

In my opinion, the digitization of a national contributions campaign is a landmark in Saudi Arabia. The Ehsan platform will strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a world leader in charitable giving. Its success has resulted in it receiving more than SR3.3 billion ($880 million), benefiting more than 4.8 million people and organizations in various humanitarian cases and community projects.

Basil M.K. Al-Ghalayini is the chairman and CEO of BMG Financial Group.