FAQ
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No. The Central Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) in the USA only. We have no charitable status in Israel, Canada, the UK, or anywhere else. We can accept donations from other countries, but we are registered as a charitable entity solely in the USA.
Contributions are accepted preferably by check, and possible by wire transfers or by stock donations. Stock donations are sold immediately. We do not hold donors’ securities. We do not accept any other non-cash donations.
No. 100% of the donations go to charity. Overhead costs are covered by other means and by the volunteers themselves.
No. The Central Fund of Israel was started in 1979 as a standard 501(c)(3) USA charity.
Yes. Many donations arrive with a recommendation. It is strongly suggested that the donor first checks with CFI about the recommended organization. This is in order to ensure that the organization complies with the fund's charter and is within the IRS guidelines. Whereas all our program grants are ultimately decided by the Central Fund, we certainly take the wishes of the donors into account.
No. The Central Fund only gives grants to non-profit entities.
No. Giving tuition through a charity is illegal. Educational institutions do have scholarship funds for special cases, and as long as there is no relationship between the donor and the recipient, that type of donation is permissible. In addition, educational institutions also raise money for building funds and other activities and donating to those are acceptable.
Yes. Whereas donors can recommend their donations for a charitable purpose, there can be no benefit to the donor for the donation. Donations for benefit tickets, dinners, events, goods purchased at an auction, or lobbying/support for political campaigns are other examples of non-acceptable donations.
There is no minimum for donations by checks.
According to IRS rules, in order to qualify for a tax deduction one needs a receipt. Up to $250 dollars, the picture of the check received in the bank statement qualifies as a receipt. For donations of $250 dollars and above, the donor needs a special receipt from the charity, which states that “no goods or services were received by the donor for their donation.”
Therefore, the Central Fund provides receipts for all donations of $250 and above.
The preferred, quickest and most efficient way is by e-mail. We encourage everyone to attach their e-mail address to their donation. Otherwise, receipts are sent by regular mail. In the near future we hope to gradually move over to only e-mail receipts.
The Central Fund never solicits or advertises itself and exists to enable charitable donating in the most efficient way possible.
No. Donor information is strictly confidential and is never shared with third parties. .
The Central Fund does not solicit. The Central Fund respects the privacy of its donors and does not contact them unless there is a question regarding a matter related to their donation.
No. We currently support charities in Israel in the following basic areas:
1) Humanitarian Aid
2) Community Projects
3) Education
4) Religious Institutions
5) Medical
6) Security
We have aided over 500 charities that fit this model.
Not generally. There are occasionally grants that are given to charities outside of Israel as long as the cause benefits the people or the land of Israel.
The CFI supports all charitable causes that promote the needs of the people of Israel or the land of Israel. Jewish, Christian and Muslim populations are all beneficiaries of such programs, as long as they are within the parameters of our charter. The CFI does not discriminate against anyone based on sex, age, race or religion.
The Central Fund has documents from the IRS, the State Department and U.S. Senators confirming that it is permissible to give charity in areas of the State of Israel and those under Israeli administration.