Susan Sawicki

New Israel Fund

The New Israel Fund (NIF) is the leading organization advancing democracy and equality for all Israelis. We believe that Israel can live up to its founders' vision of a state that ensures complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants, without regard to religion, race, gender or national identity. Widely credited with building Israel's progressive civil society from scratch, we have provided over $200 million to more than 800 cutting-edge organizations since our inception. And we are more than a funder; NIF is at philanthropy's cutting edge thanks in large part to Shatil, the New Israel Fund Initiative for Social Change. Shatil provides NIF grantees and other social change organizations with hands-on assistance, including training, resources and workshops on various aspects of nonprofit management. Today, NIF/ Shatil is a leading advocate for democratic values, builds coalitions, empowers activists and often takes the initiative in setting the public agenda. Our values drive our work. We fight inequality, injustice and extremism because we understand that justice is the precondition for a successful democracy — and the only lasting road to peace. The New Israel Fund's founders wanted to connect with Israel in a way that reflected their progressive values, and thousands of Israelis and Diaspora Jews have joined with us for that reason. Our supporters love Israel, and see it clearly as striving for an ideal not yet attained.