The Jewish Funders Network conference in Jerusalem has drawn more than 100 added participants over last year.
Some 350 Jewish mega-donors and foundation heads are in the Israeli capital for the annual conference, which started Sunday and runs through Thursday. The conference, which was held last year in Atlanta, is for donors that give at least $25,000 – and in some cases more than $20 million – per year to Jewish causes.
It is being held in Israel at the behest of Israeli philanthropists, according to JFN officials.
JFN President Mark Charendoff announced Tuesday that the organization, which will open an office in Israel this year, will orchestrate a $2 million program that will match funds for Israelis who make first-time donations to Israeli educational programs. The Sacta-Rashi Foundation and the Chais Family Foundation will provide the funding.
JFN has hired Ron Meier, the former senior vice president of the United Jewish Communities and founding director of the UJC Mandel Center for Leadership Excellence, as its first executive vice president.
