Misk Foundation
{{short description|Non-profit foundation}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Misk Foundation
| native name = مؤسسة مسك
| native_name_lang = ar
| logo = MiSK Foundation Logo.svg
| formation = {{Start date and age|2011|df=yes}}
| full_name = Mohammed bin Salman "MiSK" Foundation
| founder = Mohammed Bin Salman
| type = Non-profit organization
| headquarters = Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| coords =
| key_people = Bader Al Badr (CEO)
| subsidiaries = Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City
Ilmi Science and Innovation Centre
Manga Productions
Misk Schools
Riyadh Schools
Misk Art Institute
| website = {{URL|https://misk.org.sa/en/}}
}}
Misk Foundation (stylized MiSK Foundation; {{langx|ar|مؤسسة مسك}}), also known as Mohammed Bin Salman Foundation ({{langx|ar|مؤسسة محمد بن سلمان}}), is a non-profit foundation established by Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2011.{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/company/announcements/misk-foundation-and-bloomberg/ | title=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 | newspaper=Bloomberg L.p. }}
History
Created in 2011, the MiSK foundation was initiated by Mohammad bin Salman, then advisor to the Governor of Riyadh. The name of the Foundation comes from "misk" ("musk" in English); the perfume is a symbol of generosity and benevolence.{{cite web|title=About MiSk|url=https://misk.org.sa/en/about-misk/|access-date=2 April 2018|website=Misk.org.sa}} The Foundation's work is focused on education, culture and media.{{cite web|author=Elizabeth Dickinson|date=8 May 2017|title=Q&A: Saudi nonprofit MiSK paves the way for youth|url=https://www.devex.com/news/q-a-saudi-nonprofit-misk-paves-the-way-for-youth-90230|access-date=10 November 2017|website=Devex.com}}
In 2017, the Foundation became a "member company" of the MIT Media Lab consortium.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/mar/30/elite-universities-selling-themselves-mit-harvard-saudi-arabia-mohammed-bin-salman|title=Elite universities are selling themselves – and look who's buying|website=Theguardian.com|date=30 March 2018|author1=Grif Peterson|author2=Yarden Katz|access-date=2 April 2018}}
The MiSK Art Institute, launched in 2017, is the artistic branch of the MiSK Foundation.{{cite web|author=Anna Somers Cocks|date=8 December 2017|title=Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince launches institute to promote art in the Middle East|url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/saudi-arabia-s-crown-prince-adds-art-and-culture-to-his-portfolio|access-date=2 April 2018|website=Theartnewspaper.com}}{{cite web|author=Siegfried Forster|date=12 October 2017|title=L'art contemporain saoudien, une bonne surprise exposée à l'Unesco|url=http://www.rfi.fr/culture/20171012-art-contemporain-saoudien-arabie-saoudite-surprise-unesco-ahmed-mater-incense-route|access-date=2 April 2018|website=Rf1.fr|language=fr}}{{cite web|author=James Tarmy|date=29 January 2018|title=Saudi Arabia Is Planning a Massive, New Arts Center|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-29/saudi-arabia-is-planning-a-massive-new-arts-center|access-date=2 April 2018|website=Bloomberg.com}} MiSK led the Saudi pavilion at the 2019 Venice Biennale, organizing an exhibition by the Jeddah-based Saudi artist Zahrah Al Ghamdi.{{Cite web|title=Saudi Arabia returns to Venice Biennale after eight-year hiatus|url=http://theartnewspaper.com/news/saudi-arabia-gets-a-high-profile-platform-at-the-venice-biennale|access-date=2019-07-12|website=theartnewspaper.com|date=9 April 2019}}
In November 2018, a month after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pulled funding from the foundation.{{Cite web |last=DiChristopher |first=Tom |title=Gates Foundation halts cooperation with Saudi crown prince's nonprofit after Khashoggi killing |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/01/gates-foundation-halts-work-with-saudi-nonprofit-after-khashoggi-death.html |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=CNBC |date=November 2018 |language=en}} In 2017, the Gates Foundation had committed $5 million to MiSK. “Jamal Khashoggi’s abduction and murder are extremely troubling,” said the Gates Foundation in a statement.{{Cite news|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/gates-foundation-cuts-ties-with-saudi-charity-over-journalists-murder/|title=Gates Foundation cuts ties with Saudi charity over journalist's murder|last=Roberts|first=Paul|date=2 November 2018|work=Seattle Times}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.inquisitr.com/5147080/gates-foundation-pulls-funding-from-saudi-charity-over-khashoggi-murder/|title=Gates Foundation Pulls Funding From Saudi Charity Over Khashoggi Murder|last=Denny|first=Andrew|date=4 November 2018|work=Inquisitr}}
In April 2022, MiSK Foundation acquired 96% ownership of the Japanese video game company SNK.{{cite news |last1=Peters |first1=Jay |title=SNK is now almost entirely owned by the Saudi crown prince's foundation |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/5/23011757/snk-corporation-mohammed-bin-salman-misk-foundation |access-date=18 May 2022 |work=The Verge |date=5 April 2022}}
In April 2024, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced the opening of its first regional office in partnership with Misk in Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City. The announcement was made during the World Economic Forum special meeting held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.{{cite news |author= |date=2024-04-28 |title=Gates Foundation to open first regional office in Mohammed Bin Salman Non-Profit City |url=https://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/642473/SAUDI-ARABIA/Gates-Foundation-to-open-first-regional-office-in-Mohammed-Bin-Salman-Non-Profit-City |work=Saudi Gazette |location= |access-date=2024-04-29}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official site|url=https://misk.org.sa/en/about-misk/?lang=en}}
Category:Business organisations based in Saudi Arabia
Category:Non-profit organisations based in Saudi Arabia
Category:Organisations based in Riyadh
Category:Organizations established in 2011