Riyadh Emerges as a Global Hub for Social Innovation: The “BEYOND PROFIT” Forum to Redefine the Future of the Nonprofit Sector

From December 3 to 5, 2025, the Saudi capital will host the first-ever BEYOND PROFIT International Forum, organized by the National Center for the Nonprofit Sector (NCNP).

This landmark event marks a turning point in the global nonprofit landscape, positioning Riyadh as a center for innovation, dialogue, and international collaboration.

A Global Platform for Shaping the Future of the Nonprofit Sector

The forum will bring together more than 80 speakers and 1,500 participants from around the world, including leaders of nonprofit organizations, international agencies, policymakers, social entrepreneurs, researchers, development institutions, financial organizations, and corporate sustainability executives.

All will share a common ambition: to build a more sustainable, inclusive, and innovative nonprofit ecosystem.

Designed as a catalyst for global dialogue, BEYOND PROFIT will spotlight emerging trends, technologies, and best practices transforming the nonprofit world.

Key discussions will focus on new financing strategies, the role of social entrepreneurship in job creation, innovation as a driver of impact, and case studies highlighting the connection between social progress and economic growth.

Beyond Profit: A New Philosophy of Action

By placing cross-sector collaboration at the heart of the discussions, the forum aims to move beyond traditional notions of charity and donation, advocating instead for a model rooted in sustainability and shared value creation.

This vision, promoted by the NCNP, reflects a holistic approach in which the nonprofit sector emerges as a strategic partner in national and global development.

“The BEYOND PROFIT Forum does not just envision the future of the sector—it builds it,” the NCNP emphasized in a statement.

Through workshops, panels, and strategic meetings, participants will explore how public-private partnerships, technological innovation, and youth engagement can accelerate social and environmental transformation.

Saudi Arabia as a New Global Center for Social Innovation

The forum aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s ambitious roadmap to diversify its economy and strengthen civil society’s role in creating sustainable value.

By hosting BEYOND PROFIT, Saudi Arabia reaffirms its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and global cooperation, while asserting its position as an emerging leader in social impact and development.

The event will also serve as a dynamic platform for forging strategic partnerships, sharing knowledge, and enhancing international collaboration, ensuring that progress in the nonprofit sector translates into tangible and measurable outcomes at local, regional, and global levels.

It will foster North-South cooperation and global knowledge exchange, helping build a worldwide network of impactful collaboration.

A Global Vision for an Inclusive Future

Beyond its symbolic significance, BEYOND PROFIT embodies a shared conviction: the nonprofit sector is no longer peripheral—it is central to addressing today’s most pressing challenges, from climate change and education to health and social cohesion.

By bringing changemakers and innovators to the same table, Riyadh aims to transform philanthropy into a driving force for innovation and sustainability.

With this forum, the Kingdom sends a clear message, the future of global development will be built “beyond profit”—through a renewed alliance of ethics, innovation, and lasting impact.