Wikipedia

Misk Foundation

(Redirected from MiSK Foundation)

Misk Foundation, also known as the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, is a Saudi Arabian non-profit and non-governmental organization established in 2011 by Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. The foundation focuses on education, culture, media, innovation, and entertainment.[2] The Misk Foundation is headquartered in the Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Misk Foundation
مؤسسة مسك
Mohammed Bin Salman Foundation
مؤسسة محمد بن سلمان
Formation2011; 15 years ago (2011)
FounderMohammed bin Salman
TypeNon-profit organization
HeadquartersMohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City,Riyadh, Saudi Arabia[1]
Key people
Bader Al-Bader (CEO)
SubsidiariesMiSK City
Electronic Gaming Development Company
Manga Productions
ilmi Science Discovery and Innovation Center
Misk Art Institute
Misk Schools
Riyadh Schools
Websitemisk.org.sa/en/

History

edit

The Misk Foundation was established in 2011 by Mohammad bin Salman. The organization was created as a nonprofit focused on youth development, with programs centered on education, culture, technology, and media.[3][4]

The Misk Global Forum was launched in 2016 by the foundation as an annual platform focused on youth empowerment, leadership development, and innovation.[5]

The Misk Foundation established the Misk Art Institute in 2017. Saudi artist Ahmed Mater served as the director from 2017 to 2018. In 2018, Mater oversaw the first Saudi National Pavilion at the Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia.[6][7]

Also in 2017, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation committed $5 million to the Misk Foundation. In November 2018, following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the Gates Foundation suspended its planned engagement with the organization, stating that the killing was “extremely troubling.”[8][9]

In July 2019, it was announced that Dr. Badr Al-Bader was appointed CEO of the Misk Foundation.[10]

The Misk Launchpad program was started in September 2021 in partnership with RiseUp, a business development platform. The program aims to support and develop young male and female entrepreneurs and youth projects through a three-month program.[11]

In April 2022, Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the Misk Foundation, acquired a 96% stake in the Japanese video game company SNK.[12][13] In August 2022, the Misk Foundation’s community platform launched its second Youth Voice Program, an initiative designed to provide participants with training related to communication skills.[14]

The Misk Global Forum, held in November 2022, hosted over 100 speakers who focused on topics related to bridging generational gaps. The two-day event took place at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh and marked the 10th anniversary of the Misk Foundation.[15][16] As of April 2026, the Misk Global Forum had held eight completed editions since its launch in 2016.[17]

The Misk Foundation launched the fourth edition of the “Leaders 2030” program in January 2023, which included 90 male and female CEOs who are heads of departments from public, private, and voluntary sectors. The program focuses on leadership development in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. According to the foundation, earlier iterations of the program have graduated 180 participants as part of a broader target of training 2,000 leaders by 2030.[18]

During the 2023 Misk Global Forum, a memorandum of cooperation with the Human Resources Development Fund was signed to support the training and qualifications of young individuals for in-demand professions.[19]

In April 2024, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced the opening of its first regional office in partnership with the Misk Foundation, in Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City. The announcement was made during the World Economic Forum special meeting held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[20] In November 2024, the Tuwaiq Academy partnered with the Misk Foundation to support training in advanced technologies, including data science, artificial intelligence, video game production, and user experience design.[21]

At the Misk Global Forum in November 2024, the Gates Foundation and the Misk Foundation announced the “Challenge for Change” program, an initiative to support Saudi non-profit organizations and social enterprises developing solutions in the fields of technology, health and well-being, and environmental sustainability. The program officially launched in April 2025.[22][23][24]

In December 2024, the foundation was awarded the WELL gold certificate for its innovative urban design while being committed to creating sustainable spaces.[21]

In April 2025, the foundation partnered with London Business School to improve leadership and executive education for youth and Saudi leaders in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.[25]

Subsidiaries

edit

The Misk Foundation has multiple subsidiaries across various sectors.

Real Estate

edit

Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City, also known as Misk City, is an 840-acre development under construction in northern Riyadh, designed to be the world’s first "non-profit city" The city will include residential areas and will serve as the headquarters and central hub for the Foundation’s subsidiaries.[26]

Animation and Comics

edit

Video Games

edit

Electronic Gaming Development Company (EGDC) is the foundation's gaming arm. Through EGDC, Misk owns SNK and holds stakes in other publishers, including Capcom.[29][30]

Education

edit

The foundation oversees several educational institutions, including the Misk Art Institute, Misk Schools, and Riyadh Schools.[31][32]

Innovation

edit

Misk operates the ilmi Science Discovery and Innovation Center, which focuses on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education and research.[33]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ↑ "Misk Foundation headquarters awarded WELL certificate for innovative design". Arab News. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  2. ↑ "Misk Foundation Partners with Bloomberg to Advance Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 with Major Investments in Financial Training and Global Market Capabilities | Press | Bloomberg LP". Bloomberg L.p.
  3. ↑ Dickinson, Elizabeth (2017-05-08). "Q&A: Saudi nonprofit MiSK paves the way for youth". Devex. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
  4. ↑ "Mohammed Bin Salman Foundation (MiSK)". World Economic Forum.
  5. ↑ "MiSK Global Forum to empower Gulf youth". Arab News. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
  6. ↑ Zand, Roxane (2018-05-29). "MiSK Art Institute: A Symbol of Saudi Arabia's Grassroots Art Scene". Sothebys.com. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
  7. ↑ "Ahmed Mater: 'It's important to keep our identity as we reach out globally'". Arab News. 2020-07-18. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
  8. ↑ Perrigo, Billy (2018-11-05). "Gates Foundation Pulls Funding From Charity Chaired by Saudi Crown Prince Over Khashoggi Killing". Time Magazine.
  9. ↑ "Khashoggi case: All previous updates". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
  10. ↑ "Dr. Badr Al-Bader, CEO of the Misk Foundation". Arab News. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
  11. ↑ Gazette, Saudi (2021-09-20). "Misk Launchpad Program launched for young entrepeneurs". Saudi Gazette. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
  12. ↑ Peters, Jay (5 April 2022). "SNK is now almost entirely owned by the Saudi crown prince's foundation". The Verge. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  13. ↑ "Saudi's MBS now owns over 96% of Japanese games developer SNK". Middle East Monitor. 2022-04-07. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
  14. ↑ "Saudi Misk foundation launches second Youth Voice Program". Arab News. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
  15. ↑ "Misk Global Forum to bring over 100 speakers under 'Generation Transformation' slogan". Al Arabiya English. 2022-10-23. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
  16. ↑ "Generations must work together to drive Saudi Arabia's future, forum hears". Arab News. 2022-11-09. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
  17. ↑ "Misk Global Forum 2024 set to start in Riyadh". Arab News. 2024-11-17. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
  18. ↑ Gazette, Saudi (2023-01-27). "Misk launches 4th edition of 'Leaders 2030' program". Saudi Gazette. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
  19. ↑ "Misk, Human Resources Development Fund to support training of Saudi youth". Arab News. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
  20. ↑ "Gates Foundation to open first regional office in Mohammed Bin Salman Non-Profit City". Saudi Gazette. 2024-04-28. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
  21. 1 2 "Tuwaiq Academy, Misk to launch new tech training". Arab News. 2024-11-20. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
  22. ↑ "Misk, Gates Foundations Launch 'Challenge for Change' Program to Support Development Projects, Drive Social Impact, Advance SDGs". spa.gov.sa. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
  23. ↑ "Misk and Gates Foundations launch 'Challenge for Change'". www.gccbusinessnews.com. 2024-11-22. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
  24. ↑ OneArabia (2025-04-28). "Misk And Gates Foundation Unveil Challenge For Change Program To Empower Saudi Youth". OneArabia. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
  25. ↑ "Misk Foundation, London Business School sign strategic agreement". Arab News. 2025-04-14. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
  26. ↑ "The Transformation of Riyadh Through the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City Initiative". Travel and Tour World. January 10, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Manga Productions to Publish 'Nioh 3' in MENA with Arabic Localization". Asharq Al‑Awsat.
  28. ↑ "Manga Production's first ever Saudi‑Japanese anime film set to hit theaters in 2021". Al Arabiya English.
  29. ↑ "MiSK Foundation Investment Company EGDC Acquires Over 5 Percent Capcom Shares". Anime News Network. March 15, 2026.
  30. ↑ "MiSK Foundation Announces Completion of Strategic Investment in Japanese Gaming Company SNK". MiSK Foundation. May 18, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Misk Art Institute Signs Strategic Partnerships at Misk Global Forum 2025 in Riyadh". Asharq Al‑Awsat. November 26, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Misk Schools Gains Prestigious International and National Recognition". Saudi Gazette. October 21, 2024.
  33. ↑ "HRH Princess Sara bint Mashhour bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Launches New Science and Technology Initiative "ilmi"". Saudi Press Agency. May 20, 2023.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Misk_Foundation&oldid=1359678202"