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JEWISH LIFE: Managing Grantmaking in
Israel
An $8 million foundation committed to assisting Jewish refugees
in the United States and Israel has relied on Philanthropy
Advisors for a full array of grantmaking, strategic planning,
board, and management services for over 20 years. Philanthropy
Advisors has worked with the board of the Foundation, one
of the oldest Jewish foundations in the United States, to
ensure that the Foundation’s grantmaking continues to
meet the changing needs and circumstances of new Jewish immigrants
through support of educational, job training, and fellowship
programs.
Deciding to Engage a Consultant in Israel
During the 1990’s, when immigration to Israel from the
Former Soviet Union, Ethiopia, and Argentina was high, the
Foundation decided to deepen its commitment to Israel by sponsoring
new initiatives to meet the unique needs of the growing immigrant
population. Philanthropy Advisors, recognizing the value of
regular on-site visits and on-going dialogues with administrators
to assess program performance, advised the board that it should
have a representative in Israel to initiate and steward its
grantmaking there. The representative would identify new programs
for possible funding and forge partnerships and collaborations
with other funding sources and the Israeli government. The
Foundation’s board felt that such grantmaking could
not be effectively managed from afar or stewarded with only
an annual visit by staff.
Finding the Representative
Philanthropy Advisors guided the board in developing criteria
for selecting its representative. The board agreed it wanted
a representative who would honor the core values and traditions
of the Foundation and, at the same time, address Israel’s
present day needs, identifying and implementing meaningful
programs that would promote positive economic change for Israel’s
immigrants. Because the board wanted to maintain its own historic
independence, it asked Philanthropy Advisors to search for
a representative without institutional affiliation but with
extensive experience, a solid reputation, deep knowledge of
government and non-government immigrant resettlement programs,
sensitivity to Israel’s changing political landscape,
and competitive retainer fees and expenses. Through its network
of contacts, Philanthropy Advisors identified a well-regarded
consultant, who had broad experience with philanthropists
and non-profits; moreover, she had built an excellent track
record working with individuals and organizations on programs
aligned with the Foundation’s mission.
Benefits of Hiring the Representative
The on-site representative works in collaboration with Philanthropy
Advisors staff to ensure that the Foundation’s support
remains responsive to changing immigration trends and the
needs of immigrant groups in Israel. Over time, the Foundation’s
program support has shifted to educate and acculturate additional
newcomer populations including the Ethiopian aliyah and Bukharian
Jews from remote mountain communities. More recently, the
Israeli representative alerted the board to the medical needs
of the aging Israeli population, which prompted the Foundation
to pioneer support for a program that retrains doctors from
the Former Soviet Union to care for geriatric patients.
Philanthropy Advisors also works closely with the Foundation’s
on-site representative to ensure that, as in the United States,
programs meet their objectives and operate within their respective
budgets. When managerial failures occur, unexpected results
alter outcomes, or the unpredictability of life in the Middle
East precludes efficient performance, the consultant arranges
for technical assistance to try to keep the program on track.
This collaborative approach offers an effective and efficient
way for a foundation of its size to make grants in Israel.
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