Changes in NIF Grants 2013
Background
As in previous years, NGO Monitor has analyzed the financial reports of the New Israel Fund (NIF), detailing grants in 2013 to a wide variety of Israeli non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Our reports focus on the 18% of NIF funding authorized to political advocacy NGOs active, to varying degrees, in demonization campaigns against Israel.
Findings
NIF expenses in 2013 were $32,228,849, a 3.5% decrease from 2012 ($33,418,398). Authorized grants were approximately $16.4 million in 2013, a 4% decrease from 2012 ($17.6 million). (Financial reports are usually only released 6-7 months after the end of the fiscal year. Details on grants in 2014 are only expected in June 2015.)
A number of NGOs involved in political activities related to demonization of Israel, in sharp contrast to NIF’s stated principles and funding guidelines, continue to be funded by NIF:
- Authorized grants to 30 political advocacy NGOs amounted to $2,927,135, a 26% decrease from 2012. However, it is not clear if this represents a change in policy or reflects a pattern of multiyear grants.
- NIF increased funding for Rabbis for Human Rights, Bimkom and Negev Coexistence Forum. The three NGOs were actively involved in opposing the Prawer-Begin framework for resolving the conflict over Bedouin land claims in the Negev, including political campaigns outside of Israel.
- Funding also continued to a number of radical fringe NGOs such as Social TV, +972 Magazine, Human Rights Defenders Fund, and Solidarity Sheikh Jarrah.
- In 2013, NIF ended funding for Arab Forum of Sexuality, Emek Shaveh, and Windows for Peace, while Parents Circle Family Forum received more than a nominal amount of funding for the first time (since at least 2006).
- NIF provided extensive funding for “Molad – The Center for the renewal of Israeli democracy” ($736,000 in 2013). Molad is an openly political think-tank that seeks to “revive the Israeli left,” including through a project entitled “61,” consisting of prejudicial posters, aimed at denigrating Israeli politicians with whom they disagree. It also serves as a political and ideological vehicle for individuals previously affiliated with radical NGOs such as Breaking the Silence and Sheikh Jarrah Solidarity Movement (SJSM).
Previous NIF funding for radical anti-Israel groups (ICAHD, Coalition of Women for Peace, Mada al-Carmel, etc.), which has since ended, highlights the need to carefully monitor funded NGOs to prevent abuse of financial and other support.
NIF authorized grants for political advocacy NGOs in 2012-2013, by percentage
BLUE– Newly funded NGOs | GREEN– Funding Ended | RED– Increased Funding
NGO | 2012 | 2013 | Change | Percentage |
Rabbis for Human Rights | $27,114 | $295,493 | $268,379 | 990% |
I’lam | $21,000 | $96,000 | $75,000 | 357% |
Machsom Watch (Womens Fund for Human Rights) | $32,270 | $118,788 | $86,518 | 268% |
Human Rights Defenders Fund | $32,365 | $75,920 | $43,555 | 134.5% |
Parents Circle- Family Forum | N/A | $14,225 | $14,225 | 100% |
Sadaka Re’ut | $7,791 | $13,961 | $6,051 | 76.5% |
Molad | $435,000 | $736,000 | $301,000 | 69% |
Israeli Social TV (Syncopa Community) | $25,000 | $39,000 | $14,000 | 56% |
Bimkom | $168,500 | $248,000 | $79,500 | 47% |
Yesh Din | $36,371 | $50,063 | $13,692 | 38% |
IPCRI | $20,506 | $26,711 | $6,205 | 30% |
Negev Coexistence Forum | $45,532 | $49,339 | $3,807 | 8% |
Mossawa | $180,050 | $191,477 | $11,427 | 6% |
Arab Forum for Sexuality | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0 |
Emek Shaveh | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0 |
Breaking the Silence | $85,115 | $83,993 | -$1,122 | -1% |
Gisha | $30,808 | $22,771 | -$8,037 | -26% |
NISPED | $272,750 | $156,730 | -$116,020 | -42.5% |
Sikkuy | $304,783 | $140,509 | -$164,274 | -54% |
PHR-I | $166,464 | $71,380 | -$95,084 | -57% |
Nine Seven Two (+972) | $84,389 | $31,378 | -$53,011 | -63% |
Ir Amim | $279,235 | $95,131 | -$184,104 | -66% |
Solidarity Sheikh Jarah (via Democracy Sefense Fund) | $98,259 | $32,550 | -$65,709 | -67% |
B’Tselem | $333,828 | $107,048 | -$226,780 | -68% |
The Arab Center of Alt. Planning | $65,000 | $18,250 | -$46,750 | -72% |
Adalah | $356,911 | $70,948 | -$285,963 | -80% |
Agenda | $640,000 | $125,000 | -$515,000 | -80.5% |
Hamoked | $175,250 | $14,800 | -$160,450 | -91.5% |
PCATI | $66,582 | $1,670 | -$64,912 | -97.5% |
Windows for Peace | $8,045 | $0 | -$8,045 | -100% |
Total | $3,999,037 | $2,927,135 |