The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development was founded in April 2001, with an endowment from the Sawiris family. It constitutes the first family foundation dedicated to social development in Egypt. The Foundation provides grants to fund projects implemented by partners.

The Foundation focuses its action on projects geared towards job creation. It first identifies job opportunities with no qualified individuals available to fill them. It then proceeds to train unemployed to take up these jobs. Prior commitment from employers is obtained to hire successful trainees.

The Foundation also strives to foster the spirit of entrepreneurship and to support the creation of self-employment opportunities. It funds training for potential entrepreneurs, and provides seed money for the start up of micro and small enterprises.