TODAY, nurturing a strong and confident younger generation requires completely new approaches from charitable institutions. The philanthropic fund Yael Foundation, which began its journey in 2020, completely changes the conventional rules of supporting the educational sector.
Yael Foundation sets an ambitious mission: to ensure every Jewish child in the world has access to the highest level of education that helps expand community opportunities.The Foundation invests in communities across Europe, Latin America, Asia and beyond,
assessing the needs of each community based on local culture, community size and local partnership potential for building sustainable Jewish life. This applies especially to territories where obtaining a high-quality and safe education of this profile is currently difficult or financially burdensome for families.
Yael Foundation does not implement unified requirements for partners but directs capital to support active local projects. Financial assistance is received by general education schools, kindergartens, after-school programs, and community educational initiatives. Providing the necessary resources allows for the modernization of the material base, raising academic standards, and enhancing the level of traditional learning. As a result, the supported institutions become competitive and a priority choice for parents.
Scales of Work of the Yael Foundation Philanthropy
The scale of Yael Foundation activities demonstrates high agility and consistency in decision-making. Currently, the work of the fund covers 45 countries, connecting educational programmes in 101 cities. Strategic planning and daily coordination of all international processes are carried out directly from the headquarters located in Jerusalem.
The current results of Yael Foundation work are as follows:
● Total number of supported institutions – 145 institutions.
● Number of children who gained access to new programs – 29,362 students.
● Number of countries with active grant projects – 45 states.
Construction of Modern Campuses and Major Educational Projects
One of the most extensive areas of Yael Foundation work is capital investment in infrastructure. The current active construction and investment portfolio of Yael Foundation is valued at €21.9 million. These resources are directed toward purchasing commercial real estate, land acquisition, and construction. Projects for the renewal and renovation of educational buildings and community structures are already actively implemented in Riga, Faro, Malta, Copenhagen, Kyiv, and Tbilisi.
In parallel, Yael Foundation is developing a unique network of premium schools called Yael Schools. These are first-in-class IB standard institutions operating in Jewish communities. They offer children a harmonious combination of academic knowledge, traditions, world-class arts, and modern entrepreneurship skills. Two flagship campuses are at the active development stage:
● Limassol (Cyprus): Creation of a large, state-of-the-art complex designed for 1,500 students.
● Lisbon (Portugal): Construction of a landmark modern technological campus.
Yael Foundation also creates informal projects. Among them is the international summer camp Yael Camp. To allow teenagers to communicate and learn freely, the project operates simultaneously in 8 languages.
To recognise and encourage excellence in Jewish education, the Yael Foundation organises the annual Yael Awards program. This event lasts 2.5 days, includes lectures and strategic workshops for educators from 45 countries, and concludes with the recognition of the top achievements of schools.
Principles of Funding Distribution and Results Evaluation
To distribute financial assistance, the fund uses a transparent and clear evaluation model. Today, the Yael Foundation grant network unites 145 institutions around the world. Every allocation of funds is viewed as a long-term investment, where the main criterion for success is the tangible benefit for children that can be clearly measured over time.
Yael Foundation maintains continuous connection with grantees and directly analyzes the results of educators’ work on the ground. The organization adapts educational programs to the specifics of each region and forms a global community of like-minded leaders. This approach ensures the sustainable development of schools and raises the standards of education for children over the long term.
Yael Foundation Work During Emergency International Events
All activities of Yael Foundation are guided by core values, with flexibility, long-term relationships, and continuous improvement being the primary ones. The operation of the organization stands out for its practical management model. Unlike traditional donor-driven structures, the fund takes an active role in the life of supported schools, closely monitors their progress, and ensures that each investment aligns with the strategic long-term goals of the community. Decision-making is always based on the principles of quality, innovation, and financial sustainability of projects. In five years of work, the organization has clearly confirmed its commitment to guaranteeing Jewish communities worldwide stable access to quality education.
High agility and flexibility allow Yael Foundation to act effectively during unpredictable global challenges. This was clearly proven by the events of October 7, when the fund quickly mobilized resources for the safety and security of Jewish schools. In many emergency cases, the necessary financial assistance was provided to communities within 24 hours. This rapid response helped institutions protect students and continue operations without stopping lessons. This ability to quickly resolve current security issues became a hallmark of the institution’s work, while completely maintaining its overall strategic vision for the future.
Priority on Comprehensive Child Development and Cultural Connection
In the face of rising global antisemitism, Yael Foundation aims to shift the nature of the international conversation surrounding Jewish education. In the organization’s view, educational institutions should not be associated with fear or serve exclusively as closed havens. The fund’s vision is for schools to become places of confidence, strong connection, and belonging to one’s culture. The main goal is to nurture a strong identity that resonates with children from an early age.
To fulfill this mission, the organization recently presented awards to educators who demonstrate outstanding results in their work. This initiative seeks to inspire a culture of proactive engagement, where teachers and students receive opportunities to develop the educational environment independently.
The fund also opens new schools in regions with a high need for quality education. The main recommendation of the Yael Foundation for families lies in the necessity of funding the future of children through a reliable education system. Professional preparation provides a solid foundation for life, helps realize cultural roots, and builds a stable sense of unity with the community.
