Nowhere is Prince Khalid Al-Faisal’s pursuit of the ideals and vision of his father more recognisable than in the King Faisal Foundation, which His Royal Highness helped to found after King Faisal’s death in 1975.
As its longstanding Director General and now as its Managing Director, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal has played a significant role in helping to establish the King Faisal Foundation as one of the most important philanthropic organisations in the world.
The King Faisal Foundation states its aims as promoting self-sufficiency among less fortunate communities, raising awareness of Islamic civilisation, and encouraging cultural and scientific activities for the advance of mankind.
The King Faisal Foundation has been a significant partner of the Painting & Patronage programme since its establishment in 1999. It co-organised the cultural and educational programmes launched by Painting & Patronage in London, Lisbon and Riyadh. Among the Honorary Committee members of Painting & Patronage are the Deputy Managing Director of the Foundation, HH Prince Bandar bin Saud bin Khalid Al-Saud.
The Foundation is best known abroad for its annual King Faisal International Prize – a multi-million pound series of prestigious awards to dedicated men and women around the world whose work has served Islam and Muslims exceptionally, and to scientists and scholars who have made significant advances that benefit humanity as a whole. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal continues to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the King Faisal International Prize Committee.
In May 2000, the award of the King Faisal International Prizes was timed to coincide with the opening in Riyadh of the Foundation’s latest development, the $320 million multi-purpose Al-Faisaliah Centre, which at 265 meters high, is today Saudi Arabia ‘s second tallest building. Designed by the British architects Foster and Partners, this remarkable building has one of the most sophisticated building management systems in the world, using digital technology, which is programmed to save energy and water. The Centre comprises offices for the Foundation, a banqueting and conference centre, a 224-room hotel, and hundreds of shops, restaurants, and apartments.
Prince Khalid Al-Faisal has ensured, through the management of its investments that all King Faisal Foundation projects are self-financing so that the revenues raised from commercial ventures, such as the Al-Faisaliah Centre, can be channelled in addition to the on-going generosity of private contributions, to fund the Foundation’s philanthropic activities.