The Negev Foundation
The Negev Foundation is a Cleveland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that channels philanthropic capital into agricultural research, education, and community development across Israel's Negev region, operating desert-agriculture centers, schools, and an international farmer training program in partnership with Ramat HaNegev authorities, Ben-Gurion University, and US Jewish federations and family foundations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersCleveland, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Negev Foundation does
The Negev Foundation is a Cleveland-headquartered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, incorporated in 1992, that channels philanthropic capital into agricultural, educational, and community development programs across Israel's Negev region. It operates a portfolio of physical and programmatic assets including the Yoel DeMalach Center for Desert Agriculture, the newly established (2025) ~30,000 sq ft Mandel Campus for Agro Research, Education and Economic Development at Ramat HaNegev, the Gilat Center for Arid & Semi-Arid Agricultural Research, the Eshkol Educational Agricultural Farm, and the Greenhouses of the Future demonstration program. These assets deploy and advance arid-land agriculture technologies — drip irrigation (developed in the Negev), passive and active greenhouse cooling, hydroponics, vertical farming, IoT sensor monitoring, and AI-driven growth-control systems — while serving as training and research infrastructure for Israeli farmers, students, and international trainees from East Asia and Brazil.
The foundation's beneficiary segments span three groups: (1) Negev desert communities receiving economic, cultural, and educational investment; (2) international farmers and agricultural professionals participating in the 11-month Ramat Negev International Agricultural Training Program; and (3) donors, philanthropists, and institutional partners in the US (Jewish Federations across Cleveland, Palm Springs, and Seattle; the Mandel, Helmsley, Myers, Maltz, and Legacy Heritage foundations) and Israel (Ramat HaNegev Regional Council, Ben-Gurion University). Revenue comes entirely from philanthropic sources — unrestricted donations, project-restricted gifts, monthly recurring giving, planned and in-kind contributions, and major foundation grants (including a disclosed $3M lead grant from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation in 2025). The Cleveland office is supported by a small professional staff of four (Founder/President, OIACI Director, Marketing/Communications, Office Manager), with operational execution carried out in partnership with Israeli regional councils and academic institutions rather than through a large employee base.
Commercially, the foundation's distribution model combines direct grant-funded project implementation with channel-style exchange programs: OIACI operates as a reseller of cross-border agriculture and CleanTech opportunities between Ohio and Israel, while the International Training Center functions as a delivery channel for Israeli desert-ag know-how to foreign agricultural professionals. Pricing is not applicable in the traditional sense — there is no SaaS or per-seat model — but the foundation offers three structured donation tiers (unrestricted, project-specific, and monthly recurring), all of which are tax-deductible for US donors. The organization holds Four-Star Rating status from a charity-ratings service and discloses its 990 tax return publicly via negev.org.
The Negev Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Negev Foundation
- Legal name
- The Negev Foundation
- Website
- https://negev.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Negev Foundation is a Cleveland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that channels philanthropic capital into agricultural research, education, and community development across Israel's Negev region, operating desert-agriculture centers, schools, and an international farmer training program in partnership with Ramat HaNegev authorities, Ben-Gurion University, and US Jewish federations and family foundations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Negev Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Community Development Foundation
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)
Keywords
Where The Negev Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cleveland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Negev Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Philanthropic Donations: The Negev Foundation is a Cleveland-based, non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt foundation that supports initiatives in Israel's Negev region. Donors include individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors who contribute to advance economic, cultural, and environmental stability in the region. The foundation accepts unrestricted giving and support for specific projects, programs, or areas of need.
- Planned and In-Kind Giving: The foundation welcomes planned giving opportunities and in-kind donations, providing donors with various vehicles to support Negev development.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time/ Pay-as-you-go | Unrestricted Donations |
| Other | One time/ Pay-as-you-go | Project-Specific Donations |
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly Giving Program |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Negev Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Negev Foundation operates a portfolio of agricultural research, education, and community development programs in Israel's Negev region, including desert agriculture research centers, schools, an international agricultural training center, and bilateral Ohio-Israel exchange initiatives. The Foundation accepts tax-deductible donations and grants from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors to fund projects in agribusiness, education, community resilience, and international cooperation that develop the Negev's agricultural, cultural, and economic capacity.
Product overview
The Negev Foundation operates a portfolio of interconnected programs and facilities focused on developing Israel's Negev region through agricultural innovation, education, and community development. The core offerings include research and training centers (Yoel DeMalach Center, Gilat Center, Mandel Campus) that advance desert agriculture techniques; educational institutions (Rifman High School, Negev-Sinai Elementary School) that incorporate agricultural and technological curricula; international training programs (Ramat Negev International Training Center, OIACI) that facilitate knowledge exchange; and community support initiatives (Quality of Life Fund, Sha'ar HaNegev Projects, Derech Eretz) that strengthen regional resilience. The Foundation also supports the Greenhouses of the Future initiative, which develops advanced greenhouse systems with AI-driven controls for arid environments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Yoel DeMalach Center for Desert Agriculture Research and development campus focused on advanced agriculture techniques for arid environments, collaborating with local farms, universities, and global partners on greenhouse crops, energy, and water conservation.
- Mandel Campus for Agro Research, Education and Economic Development at Ramat HaNegev Agricultural innovation campus at Ramat HaNegev featuring advanced research labs, greenhouses with robotics and AI, educational facilities, and the Mandel International Training and Educational Center serving 2,000+ farmers, students, and AgriTech professionals annually.
- Greenhouses of the Future Advanced greenhouse systems designed for arid, high-temperature environments featuring passive cooling, solar-powered automation, hydroponics, vertical farming, IoT sensors, and AI-driven control systems to optimize growth conditions and reduce energy and water waste.
- Gilat Center for Arid & Semi-Arid Agricultural Research Israel's premier institution for dryland agriculture located in the Western Negev, providing research, education, and training for agricultural innovation and hosting 200+ public-facing events annually for 2,500+ farmers, educators, and students.
- Eshkol Educational Agricultural Farm A 4-acre advanced agricultural campus ecosystem transforming a former regional high school into a bridge between academia and industry, offering curriculum for middle and high school students and a post-high school degree program.
- Ohio-Israel Ag & CleanTech Initiative (OIACI) Bilateral program facilitating the exchange of innovative ideas, products, and professional opportunities in agriculture, food, and CleanTech between Ohio and Israel to improve resource and economic security for both regions.
- Ramat Negev International Training Center Provides comprehensive 11-month advanced agriculture education to aspiring agricultural professionals from East Asian countries and Brazil, combining practical hands-on training with classroom instruction in desert agriculture techniques.
- Ramat HaNegev Quality of Life Fund Fund ensuring communities in the Negev have access to financial resources for economic growth and quality-of-life initiatives, supporting education, recreation, and social and cultural enhancement projects.
- Sha'ar HaNegev Projects Community resilience programs supporting youth programs, communal holiday events, and wellness initiatives including hydrotherapy for seniors in the hard-hit Sha'ar HaNegev region.
- Derech Eretz Program Six-month to one-year pre-military program providing education, fitness, and survival skills to teens transitioning into Israeli Army life, with community service and post-service employment support.
Quantifiable outcome
- Negev population has doubled since the 1990s
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Negev Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Negev Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability2 records
Feature5 records
The Negev Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Merage Foundation IsraelmajorLed the initiative for Negev wine region recognition, positioning the Negev as an internationally recognized wine tourism destination. Spearheaded efforts that resulted in the Negev appellation becoming official and globally recognized.
- Ramat HaNegev Regional CouncilcorePrimary partner for all Negev development projects including agricultural research, education, community development, and regional initiatives. The foundation collaborates closely with the regional council on initiatives including the Quality of Life Fund and International Training Center.
- Ramat HaNegev Research and Development DepartmentcoreOperates the International Agricultural Training Program providing comprehensive education to aspiring agricultural professionals from East Asian countries and Brazil, combining practical and classroom training.
- Ayalim AssociationminorNonprofit working to strengthen Israel's periphery; partnered with Ben & Jerry's Israel for the 'Milk and Honey' ice cream flavor supporting rehabilitation and educational initiatives in southern Israel. Royalties from sales go to Ayalim's programs.
- Ben-Gurion University of the NegevmajorAcademic partner for agricultural research and education, including collaboration with the Blaustein Institute of Desert Research at Midreshet Ben Gurion for student programs.
- State of Ohio / Ohio Israel InitiativesmajorOIACI facilitates exchange of innovative ideas, products, and professional opportunities in agriculture, food, and CleanTech between Ohio and Israel with the goal of improving resource and economic security for both regions.
- Israel Ministry of JusticeminorManages Israel's participation in the Lisbon Agreement and approved the Negev wine appellation documentation, enabling official recognition of the Negev as an international wine region.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Negev Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ayalim Association: Ayalim is a listed partner of The Negev Foundation that works to strengthen Israel's periphery through community development and student volunteering. It is a direct nonprofit peer operating in Negev and broader southern Israel community-building and education.
- Jewish Federation of Cleveland: Jewish Federation of Cleveland is both a major philanthropic partner of The Negev Foundation and a peer-type community foundation funding Israel-related programming. Both organizations are Cleveland-based Jewish nonprofits routing donor capital to Israeli development projects.
- Merage Foundation Israel: Merage Foundation Israel is a listed strategic partner that spearheaded the official recognition of the Negev wine region. It is a direct peer in philanthropic Negev economic-development initiatives, including agribusiness, tourism, and regional brand-building.
Others
- Israel Bonds (Development Corporation for Israel): Israel Bonds is not a peer NGO but a complementary funding channel for Israeli development and infrastructure, often used by the same US Jewish donor community that supports The Negev Foundation. Included as an adjacent ecosystem participant for comparable donor overlap and Israeli-development mandate.
Broad incumbents
- ARO (Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute): ARO/Volcani Institute is Israel's national agricultural research organization and a direct overlap on desert-agriculture R&D, including greenhouse tech, drip irrigation, and arid-land farming. It is a much larger, government-funded broad incumbent in the same technology domain.
- Jewish Agency for Israel: The Jewish Agency is the largest global Jewish nonprofit focused on Israel-Diaspora connections, immigration, and Israeli peripheral-region development. It is a broad incumbent peer in Negev community-building, education, and international Jewish programming.
- Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust: Helmsley Charitable Trust is a major philanthropic partner of The Negev Foundation and a much larger private foundation funding Israeli development, health, and agricultural initiatives. It is a broad incumbent peer in the Jewish/Israel philanthropy ecosystem.
- Jewish National Fund (JNF): JNF is a far larger and longer-established Zionist nonprofit operating land development, agriculture, water, and community programs across Israel, including the Negev. It directly overlaps with The Negev Foundation on Negev-focused agricultural and community development, but with vastly greater donor base, staff, and infrastructure.
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev: Ben-Gurion University is a primary academic partner of The Negev Foundation and the largest higher-education and applied-research institution in the Negev, including the Blaustein Institute for Desert Research. It is a broader incumbent that conducts similar desert-agriculture research, training, and international student programs.
Regional players
- ORT America: ORT America is a Jewish educational nonprofit with global operations focused on science, technology, and agricultural education, including programs in Israel. It overlaps on Jewish-philanthropy-funded education, training, and Israel-focused programs and shares some donor base with The Negev Foundation.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Negev Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceThe Negev Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Negev Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
The Negev Foundation subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
The Negev Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Negev Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Negev Foundation
What does The Negev Foundation do?
The Negev Foundation operates a portfolio of agricultural research, education, and community development programs in Israel's Negev region, including desert agriculture research centers, schools, an international agricultural training center, and bilateral Ohio-Israel exchange initiatives. The Foundation accepts tax-deductible donations and grants from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors to fund projects in agribusiness, education, community resilience, and international cooperation that develop the Negev's agricultural, cultural, and economic capacity.
Is The Negev Foundation a public or private company?
The Negev Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Negev Foundation founded?
The Negev Foundation was founded in 1992. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Negev Foundation based?
The Negev Foundation is headquartered in Cleveland, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Negev Foundation make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Philanthropic Donations are the primary driver. The others are planned and In-Kind Giving.
Who are The Negev Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ayalim Association, Jewish Federation of Cleveland and Merage Foundation Israel. Israel Bonds (Development Corporation for Israel) is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are ARO (Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute), Jewish Agency for Israel, Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Jewish National Fund (JNF) and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. ORT America is listed as a regional player.
Does The Negev Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Negev Foundation.
What industry is The Negev Foundation in?
The Negev Foundation's product category is Nonprofit Community Development Foundation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAH, International Grantmaking & Development Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAK, Education Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 8200.