Grant and Funding Programs Offered by New Israel Fund of Canada (NIFC)

The New Israel Fund of Canada (NIFC) is a registered Canadian charitable foundation that channels Canadian philanthropic support to civil society organizations in Israel. Since 1986, it has provided more than $10 million to over 100 organizations and, in recent years, over $1 million annually to project partners. NIFC focuses on strengthening Israeli democracy and equality by funding projects rather than individuals, working through legally registered Israeli NGOs.

NIFC’s funding portfolio is organized around six main issue areas: social and economic justice, religious freedom, human and civil rights, shared society and combating racism, Palestinian citizens of Israel, and new initiatives for democracy. Within these themes, it supports a mix of large national organizations and smaller community-based groups, including legal advocacy centers, human rights NGOs, feminist and LGBTQ+ organizations, shared-society initiatives, and research and policy institutes.

NIFC operates with rigorous guidelines and an application-and-review process coordinated with the New Israel Fund’s offices in Israel. Applications are screened by staff and specialized funding committees, which then make detailed recommendations to the NIF international board and ultimately to the NIFC board of directors. Partner organizations must be registered Israeli non-profits, comply with Canadian and Israeli charitable law, and align with NIFC’s values and strategic priorities.

Funding criteria emphasize social change impact, strengthening democratic institutions, and working within NIFC’s six issue areas. Organizations must respect democratic norms, avoid partisan political activity and hate speech, and uphold universal human rights. Projects are monitored regularly for effective use of funds and consistency with NIFC’s strategies.

NIFC supports a wide range of project types: litigation and legal aid to defend civil and human rights; advocacy and policy work to tackle socio-economic inequality; community organizing and leadership development; initiatives to promote shared Jewish–Arab society and combat racism; religious freedom campaigns; and peace- and democracy-oriented research and public education. Examples in recent years include projects with Adalah, ACRI, Breaking the Silence, Bimkom, Shatil, Sikkuy-Aufoq, and others.

The foundation also responds to emergencies by allocating additional funding to urgent needs, such as humanitarian aid, safety-net support for vulnerable communities, and protection for civil society actors. Its annual reports publicly detail funded partners, thematic allocations, and financial statements, reflecting a commitment to transparency and accountability.

Alongside its grantmaking, NIFC runs educational events across Canada and offers fellowship and study-tour programs, such as the Naomi Chazan Fellowship, to cultivate informed, progressive leadership connected to Israeli civil society. These activities complement its funding role by building a base of Canadian supporters who understand and champion democracy and human rights in Israel.