The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Mawaddah Family Development Association, Engineer Faisal Al-Samnoudi, participated in the “Governance in Focus: Empowering Gulf Economies through Integrity and Innovation” forum, organized by the Pearl Initiative in Riyadh. He delivered a presentation addressing the role of governance in enhancing the sustainability of family-based charitable work, safeguarding its trajectory, and developing its impact across generations.
During the panel discussion, “Governance in Action: Family-Based Charitable Values – Sustaining the Legacy, Accountability, and Impact Creation,” Al-Samnoudi reviewed the key pillars that constitute the essence of governance in charitable work, foremost among them the identity of giving. He pointed out that the family’s values of giving stem from the legacy of Sheikh Abdul Latif Jameel, which is based on compassion, serving people, and preserving their dignity. This legacy is reflected in educational, health, and family initiatives, including Al-Mawaddah Association.
Al-Samnoudi emphasized that governance is the cornerstone of legacy sustainability, translating family values into decisions and responsibilities through clear strategies, independent committees, and the comprehensive application of governance standards, encompassing 21 indicators and 274 practices, achieving ratings between 95% and 100%. He added, “Governance is the true guarantor of the continuity of the legacy of giving across generations.”
Regarding decision-making and collaboration, he stressed that complete transparency—including sharing data, results, and challenges—is fundamental to building trust within the family and with partners. This is complemented by written grant policies, internal audits, and digital platforms that promote integrity and fairness.
Al-Samnoudi also discussed impact measurement and the Al-Mawaddah Association’s experience, explaining that impact measurement is based on tangible results. The association’s services have contributed to reducing family cases referred to courts by 8.10% and lowering divorce rates by an average of 10.38% annually across the Kingdom. Impact is measured using the “Results Framework” methodology and Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis.
Al-Samnoudi concluded his remarks by emphasizing that heritage is preserved through continuous action, not just history, explaining that involving the new generation early in the journey of giving is what ensures the continuity and development of the heritage with each generation.