Kuwait bans charities from hiring influencers and preachers without prior approval

Dubai: Kuwait’s Ministry of Social Affairs has prohibited charitable organisations from hiring celebrities, social media influencers, and preachers without prior written approval from the government.

The announcement came through an official circular sent to charity boards across the country, outlining a comprehensive set of regulations designed to “cleanse the charitable sector” of violations and unauthorised practices, both at home and abroad.

The new rules mandate that all licensed fundraising campaigns disclose the administrative percentage deducted from donations.

Charities are also banned from contracting with advertising agencies, marketing companies, or freelance marketers to manage fundraising websites or campaigns.

Perhaps the most striking provision is the ministry’s explicit ban on engaging public figures, including media personalities and religious figures, in fundraising efforts without prior consent.

Charities must submit contract drafts to the ministry detailing the terms, project details, service types, and any financial compensation involved.

The move comes as Kuwait resumes permitting registered charities to collect donations, under strict compliance with newly introduced conditions. Among them:

• Only projects officially licensed by the ministry and aligned with each charity’s stated objectives may raise funds.

• Fundraising links may only be published on the charity’s official website.

• No intermediaries, such as marketing firms or volunteer teams, may be used to collect or promote donations.

Daily reporting requirements have also been intensified. Charities must enter detailed donation data into a centralized government system by the next working day, including collection methods, net amounts, and administrative deductions. Donations via bank transfers, checks, or collection devices must also be reported individually.

To enforce compliance, the ministry will soon begin classifying charities into three categories, compliant, partially compliant, or non-compliant, with those in violation facing potential fundraising bans. Field inspection teams will be dispatched to verify adherence to governance standards.

 -- Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE