|
NEW ISRAEL FUND
The New Israel Fund (NIF) works to strengthen Israel's democracy and to promote freedom, justice and equality for all Israel's citizens. For 29 years, NIF has been a leader in building a just and strong Israel, believing that Israel's strength depends as much on its commitment to democratic principles as on its ability to defend itself against physical and military threats. Not only are these principles guaranteed in Israel's Declaration of Independence, they are central elements of the Jewish tradition.
A philanthropic partnership of Israelis, North Americans and Europeans, NIF is today the leading funder of social change in Israel. NIF has planted the seeds for much of the country's vibrant public interest sector, and is providing financial and technical support to help hundreds of national and community-based organizations grow.
While Israel struggles to assure the security and strength of the state, NIF is committed to addressing the internal challenges that also affect the long-term survival of Israel's democracy: fighting for civil and human rights, closing the social and economic gaps in Israeli society, promoting tolerance and religious pluralism and protecting Israel's environment.
Since its founding in 1979, NIF has granted more than $200 million to more than 800 organizations in Israel. Many of those institutions are now able to stand on their own, and others attract support from a variety of other organizations. Meanwhile, the New Israel Fund constantly invests in new organizations and takes on new challenges.
SHATIL
The New Israel Fund is at philanthropy's cutting edge thanks in large part to SHATIL, its Empowerment and Training Center for Social Change Organizations. NIF founded SHATIL in 1982 to complement its grantmaking and provide NIF grantees and other social change organizations hands-on assistance, training, written materials and workshops in the basics of nonprofit management.
Today, through SHATIL, NIF plays a catalytic role in creating a professional nonprofit sector that addresses critical challenges ranging from community organizing in low-income neighborhoods to improving educational opportunities for Israel's underprivileged groups.
Over the last 23 years, SHATIL has grown from one staff member serving 20 organizations to 70 ethnically diverse professionals, support staff and interns, with offices in Jerusalem, Haifa, Beer Sheva, Lod and a new satellite office in Baqa Algharbiya, serving nearly 800 organizations. SHATIL has gained international respect for its innovative work and, in 2005, the United Nations Department of Public Information granted SHATIL special status, accorded to nongovernmental organizations that advance issues of interest to the UN and that follow the spirit of the UN Charter.
SHATIL's work today also brings together organizations in large coalitions to accomplish what no single group can achieve on its own. It also carries out special projects to foster citizen action on issues and among population groups neglected by other institutions.
In 2005, SHATIL was a leading advocate for social justice issues as the government continued to slash support for welfare, housing and education. SHATIL provided consulting to the organizations leading the struggle for Israel's most vulnerable citizens, including single parents and residents of low-income neighborhoods in Israel's periphery.
The following sections provide more detailed information on NIF’s work on the ground in Israel, with examples of how NIF grantees are making a difference, descriptions of major new projects and initiatives and a listing of the organizations to which NIF made core grants of $20,000 or more.
|
