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The ultimate guide to non-profit and
volunteer organizations in Israel, Giving Wisely by Eliezer Jaffe,
is an indispensable sourcebook for the donor to Israeli organizations. Before
you send funds to a non-profit organization in Israel, make sure you know
the facts.
A pioneer in the management of non-profit
organizations in Israel, Eliezer Jaffe began working with children
at risk when he moved to Israel in 1960. Shortly after, he segued into the
non-profit sector, which was "a non-field" at the time. Today, he teaches
at the Paul Baerwald School of Social Work of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem,
which offers a Masters degree in the management of non-profit organizations.
"As Israel moves from a post-socialist
economy to a market economy the government is seeking to farm out more services
to the non-profit sector. In fact, today government contracts provide close
to 60% of the income to the non-profit sector," said Jaffe. "This means that
people will pl ay an increasingly important role in how much and which services
are delivered to those in need."
According to Jaffe, Israelis give
more money per capita to non-profits than Americans. "Israelis tend to give
directly to service organizations rather than to a central appeal. They are
very close to the action. They know how and where they want to give their
money," says Jaffe. "Israelis also give a tremendous amount of their time,
volunteering is huge in Israel."
Jaffe is one of those involved Israelis.
Together with some acquaintances, Jaffe formed the Israel Free Loan Society.
Modeled after the Hebrew free loan programs in the United States, the organization
provides interest free loans to people in need. To date, the society has
loaned $16 million since it first opened its doors in 1990. The program started
by lending $20,000 to new immigrants from Ethiopia and the CIS. Today the
Israel Free Loan Society lends funds to immigrants as well as to Israelis
for a variety of needs.
When you are considering where to
donate, "Look into your own hearts, and discover which causes interest you,"
suggests Jaffe. Then seek out the organization that represents your interests.
He suggests
a few additional pointers:
When you
chose an organization, earmark your donation for a specific project within
the organization.
This donation
is an investment; treat the organization like you would a for-profit business.
Consider
the donation a partnership. Meet the people who administer the services and
the organization.
Jaffe further advises that your relationship
with a donor organization ought to be a fulfilling one, in which case both
you and the organization stand to gain.
Jaffe's latest project is the recently
published book, Giving
Wisely. Both the Giving Wisely book and the Giving Wisely searchable
database are excellent research tools for the potential donor.
Professor Eliezer Jaffe is Centraide-Jacques
Menard Professor for the Study of Volunteering, Non-profit Organizations
and Philanthropy at the Paul Baerwald School of Social Work of The Hebrew
University of Jerusalem. He received the President of Israel Citation for
Outstanding Volunteer, and the Mayor of Jerusalem Award for founding and
chairing the Israel Free Loan Association.
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