JNF: A Case Study in Community Building and Israel Philanthropy

We can identify some 36,000 Israel-directed charities and nonprofit institutions operating within the Jewish State and an additional number of American-based organizations supporting Israeli society. A 2012 study assessing giving to Israel focused on Jewish philanthropy  estimated that 774 organizations had raised $2.1 billion ( $3.06 billion in 2023 dollars). 

Beyond these data points, how effective and transformative are these agencies in impacting Israeli society. its infra-structure, social and human services?

In examining the three factors introduced below, we can begin to construct a framework for analyzing organizational excellence:

1. Demonstrate Leadership Agility: The capacity of an organization to define its market, identify opportunities, and demonstrate flexibility and innovation.
2. Operate Beyond and Outside of the Political Landscape: the capacity to maintain its focus and energy to its core mission, avoiding internal or external market challenges.
3. Promote Innovation, Compete Effectively and Consistently within a Competitive Market, and Produce High Quality Outcomes: the ability to perfect a delivery system of offerings that appeal to a broad and complex donor base.

“Excellence” here is directly correlated with outcomes. In this essay, we want to delve more deeply into the distinctive role performed by the Jewish National Fund-USA, https://www.jnf.org/menu-3/about-jnf. The standards posted above offer us some helpful insights into both the historic and contemporary roles employed by JNF as it advances its mission. In understanding its legacy record, one can more fully appreciate JNF’s unique connection to the development of the Zionist vision and the evolution of the Jewish national experiment.

Today, five unique factors serve to define this organization’s economic and social impact on Israelis and their society:

• History Matters, Sustaining Continuity over Time: Founded in 1901, JNF can and does use its legacy position to its institutional advantage. In this context mission remains core to JNF’s success!
• Retaining Brand Recognition, Employing the “Blue Box” and Identifying with Planting Trees: These organizational symbols have served JNF well in linking donors to its historic mission and core identify.
• Promoting the Great Big Ideas: “The One Billion Dollar Roadmap” “Through its One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade, JNF-USA is developing new communities in the Galilee and Negev, connecting the next generation to Israel, and creating infrastructure and programs that support ecology, individuals with special needs, and heritage site preservation.”

• Providing Options: JNF offers donors and activists a broad number of points of engagement, among them Forestry & Green Innovations, Water Solutions, Community Building, Zionist Education & Advocacy, Research & Development, Heritage Sites, and Disabilities & Special Needs. 

The diversity of leadership, program, and giving options provides individuals with an extraordinary set of choices. The literature on donor involvement and communal activism emphasizes the value-added with reference to such options.

• Achieving Measurable Outcomes: A Key to a charitable organization’s credibility involves its capacity to demonstrate success:

1. Planted more than 250 million trees.
2. Built over 250 reservoirs and dams.
3. Developed over 250,000 acres of land.
4. Created more than 2,000 parks.
5. Provided the infrastructure for over 1,000 communities.
6. Connected thousands of children and young adults to Israel and their heritage.

 Jewish National Fund has maintained its historic linkage both in connection to its mandate and with reference to framing its organizational vision. Such initiatives as its World Zionist Village and its Boruchin Center, are representative of this organization’s innovative image and its growing footprint within the American Jewish communal system. As Jewish and Israeli philanthropy evolves, JNF has emerged as an extraordinary opportunity for donors and activists, students, and young adults. It affords a diversified educational, economic, and environmental platform, providing an array of choices and opportunities.

Later this week in Dallas, JNF will host its Global Conference where it will have the opportunity to further demonstrate its expanding imprint on Israel philanthropy and Jewish communal engagement!