The Fundraising Paradox of Israeli Museums
From Crisis to Relevance: The Key to Fundraising
Central Claim: The difficulty in fundraising for museums in Israel stems from a lack of direct and deep involvement in social change. In a world where philanthropy seeks impact, museums must redefine their role.
The Philanthropic Compass: Where Does the Money Flow?
Leading foundations in Israel are not just donors, but investors in change. Their priorities focus on disparity reduction, community empowerment, and equal opportunities.
Rothschild Caesarea Foundation
🎓 Disparity Reduction
Promoting equal opportunities and reducing social disparities in Israel.
Schocken Foundation
🤝 Bridge Building
Fostering equality, social mobility, and community growth, with a special emphasis on closing economic and social gaps between the Jewish majority and the Arab minority.
Arison Foundation
❤️ Social Engagement
Promoting social engagement and volunteering, alongside supporting education, culture, and health.
Azrieli Foundation
🌱 Fulfilling Potential
Strengthening Israeli society and enabling every person to realize their full potential.
Bracha Foundation
🕊️ Coexistence
Bridging gaps between segments of Israeli society and promoting coexistence and multi-community integration.
The Jerusalem Foundation
🏛️ Community Empowerment
Creating opportunities for all populations of the city, with an emphasis on community empowerment, creative culture, and dialogue.
The Funding Pie: Culture’s Missing Slice
GuideStar Israel data reveals a dramatic gap. The “Culture and Art” sector receives a meager share of total non-profit income, while sectors with clear social impact attract most of the funding.
Source: GuideStar Israel, 2023 Non-Profit Income Analysis.
The Impact Spectrum: Comparing Museums
Not all museums are perceived equally by impact-focused donors. Below is an overview of how different museum types approach social engagement.
Examples of Relevant Programs:
The Way Forward: A Roadmap to Sustainability
To bridge the funding gap, museums must transform from passive repositories to active agents of change. This is a five-step strategy to increase impact and fundraising success.
Redefine Mission
Integrate explicit social goals into the museum’s vision.
Assess Needs
Proactively identify social gaps in your environment.
Co-Creation
Involve the community in developing content and exhibitions.
Measure Impact
Present donors with data on tangible social change.
Donor Alignment
Formulate funding proposals that speak the language of impact.