Charity fundraising is ‘public money', subject to controls

Daily Tribune

07-05-2025

Charitable fundraising in Bahrain is treated as public money and subject to firm controls, the Social Development Ministry has confirmed.
Permits are capped at one year, with a financial audit required within a fortnight of expiry.
The response came from the Social Development Minister, His Excellency Osama Al Alawi, yesterday following a question by MP Basma Mubarak on the rules governing how charities may collect donations.
He told parliament that the ministry follows the Decree-Law on fundraising in public spaces, along with the executive rules set out in Decision No. 47 of 2014.
System
The Minister explained that the system is intended to allow charities to carry out their work while ensuring that collections remain within the bounds of the law, as the funds are classed in the same way as public money.
Applicants must meet a set of conditions before any permit is granted. Once a complete application is submitted, the ministry has thirty days to decide.
Those applying, whether individuals or organisations, must open a bank account for the sole purpose of receiving donations.
This must be with a bank licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain.
If the application is approved, the ministry coordinates with other authorities to ensure proper oversight.
Permit
The permit is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
At the end of that period, the permit-holder must submit a full, audited financial report to the relevant department at the ministry.
This must be done within 15 days of the fundraising period ending.