Analysis of Barriers to Impact Investing in Israel for JFN

Analysis of Barriers to Impact Investing in Israel for JFN is a practical, eye-opening resource for anyone looking to expand their philanthropic toolkit beyond traditional grantmaking. Authored by JFN member Leora Propper, this downloadable paper analyzes the structural, cultural, and strategic barriers facing Israeli and diaspora funders interested in impact investing, and provides a clear roadmap for overcoming them.

As part of JFN’s Guidebooks for Intelligent Giving series, this report highlights the potential for Jewish funders to leverage impact investing to generate social and environmental returns alongside financial ones, especially in Israel’s growing but still underdeveloped impact investing ecosystem. The guide outlines the Israeli market landscape, compares global best practices, and shares strategies for building investor confidence, supporting social ventures, and aligning values with financial tools.

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Impact investing allows funders to move beyond binary thinking about philanthropy versus profit. This guide offers actionable strategies for foundations at every stage of readiness—whether you're curious about PRIs and MRIs, actively exploring investment opportunities, or working to build a supportive ecosystem.

JFN’s work to catalyze impact investing in Israel includes:

• Hosting educational webinars, conferences, and learning groups tailored to funders at various stages of engagement

• Mapping the Israeli impact investment landscape and convening stakeholders to share best practices

• Exploring the creation of the first Israeli Donor Advised Fund (DAF) with an embedded impact strategy

• Advocating for improved infrastructure, measurement tools, and government policy to support social enterprises and investors

Whether you're a funder based in Israel or the diaspora, this guide will help you understand the opportunities, challenges, and next steps for turning capital into meaningful change.

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To share feedback on the report or learn more about JFN’s work advancing impact investing in Israel, email jfn@jfunders.org.