Qazaqstan Khalqyna and the Kulibayev Foundation: Leaders in Philanthropy. Who Else?
The year 2024 marked a turning point for philanthropy in Kazakhstan. Despite the country’s drop in the World Giving Index from 107th to 113th place, both private and public initiatives continued to grow steadily. Among individual philanthropists, Timur Kulibayev led in charitable contributions, while the Qazaqstan Khalqyna Foundation—established at the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev—stood out among public organizations.
“Kazakhstan Khalkyna” and Its Role
Over the past three years, the Qazaqstan Khalqyna Foundation has raised more than 250 billion tenge. These funds have supported:
- Housing construction for families affected by natural disasters
- Educational grants for talented youth
- Healthcare development initiatives
With the involvement of public figures and private donors, the foundation has become a powerful tool for addressing key social challenges across the country.
The Kulibayevs’ Major Initiatives
Since founding the Halyk Charitable Fund, Timur and Dinara Kulibayev have donated over 85 billion tenge to charity, supporting more than 120 social projects—making them the most generous individual philanthropists in Kazakhstan.
In 2024, their efforts focused on large-scale humanitarian and infrastructure support, including:
- Flood recovery in Kulsary: 31 billion tenge allocated for housing and infrastructure restoration
- 400 apartments in Astana: Delivered to the Akimat for families in need, totaling 6.9 billion tenge
- Kindergarten in Auliekol: Built in the Kostanay region after the 2022 fires, with 1.3 billion tenge in funding
The Halyk Fund was awarded the prestigious Kaiyrymdylyk Ushin medal at the 2024 Philanthropists Forum.
Other Key Philanthropists in Kazakhstan
Several other individuals and foundations are making notable contributions:
- Aydin and Anara Rakhimbaev: Invested $20 million in the IQanat Endowment Fund to support rural students
- Kenes Rakishev and Asel Tasmagambetova: Their Sabi Foundation has allocated 50 billion tenge over 22 years for schools and children’s homes
- Gulnar Dosayeva: Supports cultural initiatives and youth development
- Bulat Utemuratov: Focuses on healthcare, especially for patients with rare diseases
- Galymzhan Yesenov: Promotes STEM education and funds grants for young scientists
State Recognition
In June 2024, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev hosted a ceremony at Akorda to honor Kazakhstan’s leading philanthropists, including Timur Kulibayev, Bulat Utemuratov, and Nurlan Smagulov. The event highlighted the importance of philanthropy in promoting social stability and sustainable development.
Despite isolated scandals, such as the Perizat Kairat case, Kazakhstan’s philanthropic sector continues to evolve. The diversity of initiatives—from large state-backed foundations to grassroots efforts—demonstrates the growing role of charity in solving social challenges.
However, further progress will require not only increased funding but also greater transparency and public trust. These factors will be key to attracting new participants and improving Kazakhstan’s standing in global philanthropy rankings.
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