British Friends of the Art Museums of Israel

What British Friends of the Art Museums of Israel does

British Friends of the Art Museums of Israel (BFAMI) is a UK-registered charity (No. 1171510) founded in 1947 that raises funds from British donors — predominantly within the UK Jewish community and the UK art world — to support educational programmes at Israeli art museums. Originally established solely for the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, BFAMI has expanded its beneficiary network over 75+ years to include 8+ Israeli museums spanning Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Petach Tikva, Beer Sheva, Bat Yam, Herzliya, Ein Harod, and Israel's geographic periphery. Programmes funded include art scholarships for ~600 gifted children annually at the Tel Aviv Museum's Meyerhoff Art Education Centre, trauma-relief classes, free museum entry for soldiers and disadvantaged children, workshops for hospitalised and special-needs youth, and integration programmes for new immigrants.

BFAMI's operations are built around an event-driven fundraising model anchored by an annual gala dinner (held at The Dorchester, with £400 individual tickets and £5,000 tables of up to 12), live and silent art auctions featuring works by Israeli and international artists auctioned by Christie's, Sotheby's, and Phillips, and a tiered Emergency Appeal offering designated donations (£500/£1,500/£5,000) for specific programmes such as displaced children's art kits and safe-zone construction. Digital channels include the bfami.org website (WordPress-based, integrated with the Givergy third-party auction platform), email outreach, Instagram organic social, and earned media coverage in Jewish News and The Jewish Chronicle. Direct art sales are also conducted through an e-commerce shop.

The organisation generates revenue from four primary streams: donations and emergency appeals (with 25% Gift Aid amplification for UK taxpayers), art auction proceeds, gala dinner ticketing and corporate sponsorships, and direct e-commerce art sales. The 2026 auction alone raised £400,000 for educational programmes. Leadership includes Co-Chairmen Pamela Crystal and Poju Zabludowicz, COO Michelle Hyman, and a committee spanning development, cultural programming, corporate sponsorship, and Young Friends. BFAMI holds no disclosed technology patents, AI/ML capabilities, or proprietary digital platforms beyond its website and auction integrations.

Name

British Friends of the Art Museums of Israel

Legal name

British Friends of the Art Museums of Israel

Website

https://bfami.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

British Friends of the Art Museums of Israel is a UK-registered charity founded in 1947 that raises funds from British donors to support educational programmes at 8+ Israeli art museums, primarily through an annual gala, art auctions with Christie's/Sotheby's/Phillips, and tiered donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts and Cultural Philanthropy

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN), Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ)

Keywords

• Charity fundraising
• Arts philanthropy
• Museum education funding
• Cultural nonprofit
• Art auction charity

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Emergency Appeals: Individual donors make tax-deductible contributions through BFAMI's website. Donors can designate gifts to specific programmes such as art kits for displaced children, trauma relief classes, or building of safe zones. Gift Aid reclaim on UK taxpayers amplifies contribution value by 25%.
2. Art Auctions: BFAMI hosts live and silent art auctions featuring donated works by Israeli and international artists. Proceeds fund educational programmes at Israeli museums. Events are conducted in partnership with major auction houses and include preview exhibitions. The 2026 auction featured October 7 survivors' work.
3. Gala Dinner and Event Ticketing: Annual fundraising dinners and events generate revenue through ticket sales (£400 per individual; £5,000 per table of up to 12), corporate sponsorships, and raffle entries. Events feature curated art experiences, artist talks, and auction lots.
4. Art Sales (Direct): BFAMI sells artwork directly through its e-commerce platform (givergy.com), offering pieces such as prints and original works with prices from £100. All proceeds support BFAMI's educational programmes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BFAMI is a UK-registered charity that raises funds through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, an annual gala dinner, and live/silent art auctions to support educational programmes at 8+ Israeli art museums. Funds are directed toward scholarships for gifted children, trauma-relief art classes, accessibility programmes for special-needs visitors, integration programmes for new immigrants, and community outreach. Donors receive Gift Aid on UK-taxpayer contributions and curated cultural engagement through auction lots, exhibition previews, and artist events.

Product overview

British Friends of the Art Museums of Israel (BFAMI) operates a digital platform for fundraising and art appreciation, centered around its donation and auction system, emergency appeal programs, and curated exhibition listings. The organization functions as a not-for-profit supporting educational programmes at Israeli art museums, offering designated donation tiers for humanitarian causes, annual gala auctions featuring Israeli and international artists, artist interview content, and comprehensive listings of museum exhibitions in both London and Israel. The platform integrates third-party auction functionality through Givergy for online bidding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Appeal Donations Designated donation programme offering UK-taxpayer Gift Aid-eligible contributions at £500, £1,500, and £5,000 tiers, each funding a specific emergency humanitarian or cultural continuity programme at Israeli museums.
• Annual Gala Dinner and Art Auction Annual flagship fundraising gala featuring dinner, live and silent art auctions, artist talks, and sponsor recognition. Tickets at £400 per individual or £5,000 per table of 12. Artwork lots are bid online via the Givergy platform.
• Educational Programme Funding for Israeli Museums Grants from BFAMI fund named educational programmes at 8+ Israeli museums, including art scholarships for ~600 gifted children annually at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art's Meyerhoff Centre, integration programmes for new immigrants, accessibility workshops for special-needs visitors, art therapy for hospitalised children, and outreach to at-risk youth.
• Direct Art Sales via E-commerce Platform Direct sale of donated and curated artworks via the BFAMI/Givergy e-commerce platform, with individual pieces priced from £100 upward and all proceeds supporting BFAMI's educational programmes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 600 children per year receive art scholarships at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art's Meyerhoff Art Education Centre
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Christie'scoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristie's serves as BFAMI's auction partner, providing expert auctioneers (e.g., Nick Orchard, Senior Director and Head of Department) and hosting exhibition previews for BFAMI's annual gala auction. Christie's also supports events such as the Modern British Art Preview & Wine Tasting, providing access to its auction rooms and specialist expertise.
• Sotheby'scoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSotheby's provides auction platform support and hosted BFAMI's 2024 auction preview exhibition at its London galleries (18-24 January 2024). Sotheby's is listed as an event supporter and host for BFAMI's annual gala dinners and auction events.
• PhillipscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhillips is listed as a main sponsor of BFAMI's gala dinner, providing auctioneering services for live and silent auctions. As a leading international auction house, Phillips contributes credibility and collector network access to BFAMI's fundraising events.
• The DorchestercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Dorchester hotel in London serves as the exclusive venue sponsor for BFAMI's annual gala dinner and art auction events, providing its prestigious ballroom and associated hospitality services for the flagship fundraising event.
• Lisson GalleryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLisson Gallery is listed as a host for BFAMI's gala events, contributing artworks or display spaces and providing access to its collector and donor network.
• Zabludowicz CollectionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnita and Poju Zabludowicz of the Zabludowicz Collection are listed as BFAMI patrons and event hosts, providing their network and venues for BFAMI events.
• Martin & Ruth DunitzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMartin and Ruth Dunitz are listed as gala hosts and supporters, contributing to BFAMI's fundraising events and donor cultivation.
• Claire HymanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerClaire Hyman is listed as a gala host and committee member, contributing her network to BFAMI's fundraising and outreach efforts.
• Anna MitchellminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnna Mitchell is listed as a gala host for BFAMI events.
• Levy Gorvy DayanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLevy Gorvy Dayan gallery is mentioned as an exhibition partner for BFAMI's London archive listings, hosting exhibitions such as 'La Mort de l'Amour'.
• AssoulineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssouline is listed as a main event sponsor for a BFAMI gala, providing publishing/merchandise contributions.
• 45 Park LaneminorGTM or Marketing Partner45 Park Lane (part of the Dorchester Collection) is listed as a gala event supporter.
• Tate (Tate Modern / Tate Britain)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTate Modern and Tate Britain host BFAMI-featured exhibitions (Do Ho Suh: Walk the House, Leigh Bowery!, Emily Kam Kngwarray) and serve as venue partners for BFAMI's London exhibition archive programme.
• The Design MuseumminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Design Museum in London hosts BFAMI-featured exhibitions (Wes Anderson: The Archives, Blitz: the club that shaped the 80s) as part of the BFAMI London archive programme.
• V&A South KensingtonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe V&A South Kensington hosts BFAMI-featured exhibitions (Marie-Antoinette Style, Design and Disability) as part of the BFAMI London exhibition archive.
• National Portrait Gallery, LondonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe National Portrait Gallery in London hosts BFAMI-featured exhibitions (Cecil Beaton's Fashionable World, Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting) as part of the BFAMI London archive.
• The National Gallery, LondonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe National Gallery hosts BFAMI-featured exhibitions (Radical Harmony: Helene Kröller-Müller's Neo-Impressionists, José María Velasco) as part of the BFAMI London archive.
• Hayward GalleryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Hayward Gallery hosts BFAMI-featured exhibitions (Gilbert & George: 21ST CENTURY PICTURES, Yoshitomo Nara) as part of the BFAMI London archive.
• Saatchi GalleryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Saatchi Gallery hosts BFAMI-featured exhibitions (The Long Now, RHS Botanical Art & Photography Show 2025) as part of the BFAMI London archive.
• Royal Academy of ArtsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Royal Academy of Arts hosts BFAMI-featured exhibitions (RA Summer Exhibition 2025, Kerry James Marshall: The Histories) as part of the BFAMI London archive.
• Serpentine GalleryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Serpentine Gallery hosts BFAMI-featured exhibitions (Peter Doig: House of Music) as part of the BFAMI London archive.
• BarbicanminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Barbican hosts BFAMI-featured exhibitions (Encounters: Giacometti x Huma Bhabha) as part of the BFAMI London archive.
• Hauser & WirthminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHauser & Wirth gallery hosts BFAMI-featured exhibitions (Michaela Yearwood-Dan: No Time for Despair) as part of the BFAMI London archive. Hauser & Wirth Somerset also hosted a BFAMI day trip event.
• Moco MuseumminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Moco Museum hosts BFAMI-featured exhibitions (Robbie Williams: Radical Honesty) as part of the BFAMI London archive.
• The Photographers' GalleryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Photographers' Gallery hosts BFAMI-featured exhibitions (Peter Mitchell: Nothing Lasts Forever) as part of the BFAMI London archive.
• Garden MuseumminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Garden Museum hosts BFAMI-featured exhibitions (Cecil Beaton's Garden Party) as part of the BFAMI London archive.
• Somerset HouseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSomerset House hosts BFAMI-featured exhibitions (Wayne McGregor: Infinite Bodies) as part of the BFAMI London archive.
• DiorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDior is listed as a secondary sponsor for a BFAMI gala event.
• UBSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUBS is listed as a secondary sponsor for a BFAMI gala event.
• GarrardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGarrard (jewellery house) is listed as a secondary sponsor for a BFAMI gala event.
• The Gerald Gail Ronson Family FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Gerald Gail Ronson Family Foundation is listed as an event sponsor for BFAMI's gala events.
• Sir Anish Kapoor RAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSir Anish Kapoor RA is listed as a BFAMI patron. His work 'Turning the World Upside Down Jerusalem' (2010) is featured in BFAMI materials. Kapoor serves as a high-profile arts patron supporting the organisation's mission.
• Wild Kids Animation StudiominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWild Kids Animation Studio collaborated with the Museums of Bat Yam (MoBY) on a BFAMI-funded animation project, with students producing the film 'Our Neighborhood Tower' screened at the Wild Kids festival in Jerusalem.
• ELEM (Non-Profit Israeli Organisation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBFAMI co-sponsors the 'Art in The Square' project — a collaboration between the Israel Museum and ELEM that supports troubled adolescents with drug and alcohol dependencies through creative and artistic outlets in Jerusalem's Zion Square.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/bfami_org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/british-friends-of-the-art-museums-of-israel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about British Friends of the Art Museums of Israel