KUWAIT CITY, June 30: The Ministry of Social Affairs announced on Sunday the issuance of a comprehensive set of new regulations and guidelines to govern the operations of charitable societies in Kuwait. The move is part of ongoing efforts to enhance transparency, reinforce governance, and improve institutional performance within the charitable sector.

In a press statement, the Ministry confirmed that licensing of charitable societies to collect donations will resume, provided that all organizations comply fully with the newly approved rules. These include strict limitations on how donations are solicited and managed, with a clear emphasis on accountability and alignment with each charity’s bylaws.

The Ministry clarified that donation campaigns must be exclusively linked to licensed charitable projects and must not involve intermediaries such as marketing agencies, advertising companies, or informal volunteer teams. Furthermore, donation links may only be published on the official websites of the registered charitable societies.

In the case of special fundraising campaigns for individual causes, the Ministry stated that prior approval must be obtained. Additionally, any administrative deductions from donations must be clearly disclosed in advertisements for licensed projects, both domestic and international.

The new regulations strictly prohibit contracting with advertising firms, social media influencers, celebrities, or preachers without prior ministry approval. Draft contracts must be submitted to the Ministry for review and must clearly specify the contract period, type of service, the relevant project, and the total financial value — following the guidelines set out in Circular No. 274.

Daily donation collections must be recorded in the charitable societies' automated management system by the following business day. This includes detailed information on the amount collected, sources, administrative fees deducted, and net donation value. All collected donations must be promptly deposited in bank accounts in accordance with existing regulations.

Charities are also required to submit monthly reports detailing bank deductions for licensed projects and provide daily notifications of received donor checks and financial transfers. These records must include donor names, donation amounts, and the intended project.

The Ministry announced that all charitable societies will be classified within one month based on compliance levels — categorized as compliant, partially compliant, or non-compliant. Organizations found to be non-compliant will be barred from collecting donations, and field inspection teams will monitor adherence to the new governance requirements.

Regarding international relief campaigns, the Ministry emphasized the need for pre-approval of campaign duration, administrative deductions, and identification of foreign implementation partners. Aid must be channeled through licensed projects in recipient countries where permits exist, eliminating the need for separate relief campaigns.

Marketing campaigns, whether local or international, must follow the same guidelines as relief campaigns. The Ministry will provide all charitable societies with regulations for external financial transfers tied to licensed overseas projects.

Aid distribution of any kind must now be conducted exclusively through the Central Aid Program. The Ministry urged societies to expedite aid procedures via the program and ensure timely withdrawal of approved files.

To bolster financial oversight, charities are required to contract auditors listed with the Capital Markets Authority. They must also appoint internal auditors and compliance officers and submit annual reports and audited financial statements in line with Circular No. 194.

The Ministry underscored the importance of full compliance with these instructions, warning that legal action will be taken against violators. Penalties may include the suspension of fundraising activities, project cancellations, or even dissolution of the association under Ministerial Resolution No. 128/A of 2016 and Law No. 24 of 1962 governing public benefit organizations.