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New Israel Fund

Annual Giving
$36.3M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.5M

New Israel Fund

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $36.3 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Under $10,000 - $500,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Israel (organizations must be registered Israeli nonprofits)
  • Total Assets: Over $350 million distributed since 1979

Contact Details

Website: https://nif.org

United States Offices:

Israel Office: +972.732445000 | nif@nif.org.il

International Offices: Canada, UK, Switzerland, Germany, Australia

Mailing Address: New Israel Fund, P.O. Box 70358, Philadelphia, PA 19176-0358

Overview

Founded in 1979, the New Israel Fund is a leading supporter of Israel's progressive civil society, having distributed over $350 million to more than 950 organizations over four decades. With $36.3 million in authorized grants in 2024 and total annual income of $58.1 million, NIF supports organizations advancing democracy, equality, and social justice in Israel. The organization operates through a unique three-pillar model: direct grantmaking, capacity-building through Shatil (established 1982), and rapid response funding for emerging crises. In recent years, NIF has tripled its rapid response grants pool to $2 million annually to support pro-democracy demonstrations and organizations countering ultranationalist agendas. NIF is governed by an international Board of Directors with 21 members from the United States, Israel, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Core Grants: Support organizations addressing NIF's strategic priorities including democratic institutions, shared society development, and human rights protection. Grant amounts range from under $10,000 for small community organizations to over $500,000 for flagship grantees like the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI).

Donor Advised (DA) Grants: Allow funders to direct support to specific organizations that meet NIF's criteria and fall within their focus areas, supporting a broader circle of organizations.

Rapid Response Grants: $2 million annual pool providing quick funding to address emerging opportunities or crises, support experimental social change projects, and fund pro-democracy initiatives.

Application Method: Applications accepted on a rolling basis through NIF's Israel office; reviewed by staff, Grants sub-Committees, and Board.

Priority Areas

NIF funds organizations working in six core issue areas:

  1. Human Rights and Democracy: Protecting democratic institutions, supporting pro-democracy demonstrations, safeguarding liberal democratic values in education
  2. Shared Society and Combating Racism: Building partnerships between Jewish and Arab citizens, promoting equality
  3. Social and Economic Justice: Supporting vulnerable populations including Negev Bedouin, migrant workers, asylum seekers
  4. Religious Freedom: Advancing pluralism and religious equality
  5. Palestinian Citizens of Israel: Advocacy and legal aid, supporting equal rights
  6. New Initiatives for Democracy: Seed funding for emerging progressive voices and experimental projects

Recent Focus (2024): Following October 7, 2023, NIF expanded humanitarian aid and basic needs support, mental health and trauma counseling, and work to block annexation and settler violence through the "Vision for Peace and Security" program.

What They Don't Fund

  • Academic or research projects (generally excluded)
  • Organizations affiliated with political parties
  • Organizations that condone violence or use violent tactics
  • Partisan political activity
  • Organizations that promote antidemocratic values
  • Organizations that support the 1967 occupation and subsequent settlement activity
  • Global BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) activities against Israel
  • Organizations with global BDS programs
  • Organizations working to deny the Jewish people's right to sovereign self-determination

Note: NIF will support organizations that lawfully discourage purchase of goods or use of services from settlements in the Occupied Territories.

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Daniel Sokatch, CEO (Since 2009): Former CEO of Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco and founding Executive Director of Progressive Jewish Alliance (now Bend the Arc). Named multiple times to the Forward newspaper's "Forward 50" list of leading Jewish decision-makers. Author of "Can We Talk About Israel: A Guide for the Curious, Confused, and Conflicted" (Bloomsbury, 2021). In 2010, Sokatch formulated funding guidelines ensuring groups not supporting a two-state solution or the Jewish connection to Israel would not be funded.

David N. Myers, President of Board of Directors: Professor of Jewish history and longtime NIF board member, recently appointed as new board president.

Previous Board Leadership: Rabbi Brian Lurie (former chair), Naomi Chazan (former deputy speaker of Israeli Knesset), and Talia Sasson (attorney known for authoring report on Israeli government support of illegal settlements, succeeded Lurie as NIF president in June 2015).

Board Structure

The board consists of 21 community leaders, activists, academics, and philanthropists from the United States, Israel, Canada, and the United Kingdom, representing different points of view within common values.

Grants Committees

Grants sub-Committees are composed of Board members, International Advisory Committee members, and non-Board members with expertise in social change and NIF issue areas.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a legally recognized and registered nonprofit in Israel (registered as an "amuta")
  • Mission must fall within one of NIF's six general issue areas
  • Must have confirmation of proper accounting procedures as required by Israeli tax authorities
  • Must possess a certificate of tax-withholding at source
  • Must respect and support the democratic nature of the state of Israel
  • Must refrain from partisan political activity

Application Process: The grant-making process begins in Israel where NIF's office accepts applications. Applications are reviewed by staff, then by relevant Grants sub-Committees, which make detailed recommendations to the Board. The Board then considers which grants to approve. The process is described as "rigorous, transparent, and based on partnership with grantees."

Application Portal: Applications submitted through NIF's Israel office (contact: nif@nif.org.il or +972.732445000)

Note: NIF demands accountability from grantees including audited financial reports and upholds complete transparency in sources and uses of funds. Every grantee undergoes regular evaluation for effectiveness and consistency with NIF's strategic priorities.

Shatil Services: The eligibility requirements do not apply to individuals or coalitions requesting capacity-building services from Shatil, NIF's empowerment and training center.

Decision Timeline

Specific timelines from submission to decision are not publicly disclosed. Organizations should contact NIF's Israel office for current application cycles and decision schedules.

Success Rates

NIF does not publicly disclose application success rates or acceptance percentages. The organization's selectivity is indicated by its scale: supporting approximately 950 organizations over 44 years with 224-238 awards annually in recent years (224 awards in 2021, 238 awards in 2022). Almost every significant progressive NGO in Israel was seed-funded by NIF.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly disclosed. Organizations should contact NIF directly for guidance on reapplication timelines and procedures.

Application Success Factors

Based on NIF's documented priorities and grantmaking patterns:

Alignment with Strategic Priorities: Organizations must demonstrate clear alignment with one or more of NIF's six issue areas. NIF has stated it "makes grants to some groups with whom it does not entirely agree, but believes they are valuable voices to be heard," indicating openness to diverse perspectives within their values framework.

Organizational Capacity: NIF provides capacity-building support through Shatil, which offers training, consultation, and coalition-building assistance. Organizations demonstrating commitment to strengthening their operational capacity are well-positioned.

Partnership Approach: NIF emphasizes "partnership with grantees" rather than a traditional funder-recipient relationship. Organizations should demonstrate willingness to engage in ongoing collaboration and evaluation.

Transparency and Accountability: Grantees must maintain rigorous financial reporting, including audited financial statements and tax compliance documentation required by Israeli authorities.

Democratic Values: Organizations must demonstrate commitment to democratic principles and the democratic nature of the state of Israel. They cannot engage in partisan political activity or support antidemocratic values.

Recent Funding Patterns (2024): NIF has prioritized organizations addressing:

  • Pro-democracy demonstrations and movements
  • Legal aid for Palestinians in the West Bank
  • Rights protection for women, asylum seekers, and LGBTQ community
  • Humanitarian aid and trauma counseling following October 7, 2023
  • Anti-occupation activism and blocking settler violence
  • Progressive voices in the Negev and Gaza Envelope
  • Rehabilitation efforts involving diverse local leaders

Scale Considerations: NIF funds organizations across the spectrum from large established organizations (flagship grantee ACRI receives over $500,000) to small community organizations working at the local level (grants under $10,000). Organizations should be realistic about their capacity and request appropriate funding levels.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Israeli Registration Required: Only legally recognized and registered Israeli nonprofits (amutas) are eligible; international organizations cannot apply unless registered in Israel
  • Mission Alignment is Critical: Organizations must fit squarely within one of NIF's six issue areas and demonstrate commitment to democratic values and social justice
  • Capacity-Building Available: Leverage Shatil's free services for organizational development, training, and coalition-building even before or alongside grant applications
  • Partnership Mindset: NIF seeks long-term partnerships, not one-off grants; demonstrate commitment to ongoing collaboration and evaluation
  • Financial Rigor Required: Ensure accounting procedures, tax compliance, and audit capabilities are in place before applying
  • BDS Position Matters: Clarify your organization's position on BDS; NIF will not fund global BDS programs but will support lawful opposition to settlement goods/services
  • Rapid Response Opportunities: For time-sensitive initiatives or crisis response, inquire about the $2 million rapid response pool for faster decision-making

References

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