About Us
At the Central Fund of Israel, our mission is simple: to ensure that every dollar you give goes directly to charitable causes in Israel—without deductions. 100% of contributions donated go to charity. No fees.
We were founded on the belief that support for the people of Israel—living in the land of their ancestors—should be direct, impactful, uncompromised and unapologetic. This vision was shared by our founders, Hadassah and Arthur Marcus z”l, whose guiding principle remains at the heart of all we do:
“What you give is what they get.”
Today, we proudly support over 500 charitable organizations across Israel, helping to build stronger communities and a brighter future for all.
SEA OF GALILEE, ISRAEL
Who We Are
The Central Fund of Israel (CFI) was founded in 1979 by Hadassah Marcus z”l and Arthur Marcus z”l as a grassroots initiative dedicated to strengthening and supporting the land and people of Israel. From its humble beginnings, CFI has remained committed to building a strong, vibrant Israeli society through direct charitable giving.
Why We Started
In 1979, Arthur and Hadassah Marcus z”l uncovered a troubling reality: a large portion of donations sent from the U.S. to Israel was being lost to overhead and administrative costs— at the expense of the beneficiaries leaving them with far less than intended.
Unwilling to accept this, they founded the Central Fund of Israel with a clear and unwavering mission: to ensure that 100% of every donation goes directly to its intended cause. Guided by the principle, “What you give is what they get,” CFI continues to focus on supporting Israel’s most vulnerable populations—the poor, the underserved, and any cause that contributes to the growth and strengthening of the Jewish People in their homeland.
How We Grew
The Central Fund of Israel grew organically—powered entirely by word of mouth, “A good name is better than fragrant oil (Eccl, 7 ,1 ).
Donors quickly recognized CFI as an exceptionally trustworthy, efficient and transparent way to support charitable causes in Israel. Unlike many foundations, CFI empowered its supporters to recommend exactly where their donations should go, without the frustration of bureaucratic red tape.
This reputation for integrity and impact led to national recognition. In 1994, CFI received the Mayor of Jerusalem’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Organizations, and has been honored by both Chief Rabbis of Israel for its dedication to charitable work.
Today
In 2025, the Central Fund of Israel supports over 500 charitable initiatives across Israel. Our mission remains unchanged: to carry forward the inspiring vision of our founders, Hadassah and Arthur Marcus z”l, and to ensure that giving to charity remains a simple, meaningful, and impactful act of kindness.