Israel Association of Community Centers

What Israel Association of Community Centers does

The Israel Association of Community Centers (החברה למתנ"סים, "Matnasim") is a registered Israeli public benefit entity (חל"צ) that operates as the quasi-governmental social arm of the State of Israel. It manages a nationwide network of approximately 200 community centers and 1,000 branches across 206-236 local authorities, staffed by more than 40,000 employees and 30,000 active volunteers, serving approximately 3 million Israeli residents annually from all demographic sectors — Jewish, Arab, Haredi, Druze, Bedouin, and Circassian. Each community center is co-governed under a tripartite board model (40% local authority, 40% resident representatives, 20% company), embedding the organization in municipal decision-making.

The core operating model combines a physical infrastructure (the community center network) with a portfolio of national programs executed on behalf of government ministries. Flagship programs include Karev (educational enrichment with the Rashi Foundation), Sal Tarbut (national culture basket for the Ministry of Education), Yomale (autism-spectrum after-school care), Baim LeTov (national senior volunteering with the Ministry for Social Equality), Madad (community measurement index developed with ERI research and institutionalized via the 2025 National Center for Community Measurement with Yad Hanadiv), Hamesayat (national labor-market substitute pool with the Center for Local Government), Derech Eretz (youth experiential program in 65+ authorities), and Hugnit LeNo'ar (Haredi youth mentoring). Technology infrastructure consists of Microsoft 365 portals, SharePoint-based training platforms, Microsoft Dynamics CRM for insurance management, a Wix-hosted public website, and internal BI dashboards for data-driven management; no proprietary technology platform is disclosed as a core differentiator.

Revenue is non-commercial and derives from four streams: competitive public tenders and service contracts with Israeli government ministries (Education, Health, Social Equality, Welfare); service agreements and co-governance with 206-236 local municipal authorities; philanthropic grants channeled through the Association for Encouragement and Promotion of Community Centers in Israel, American Friends of the organization, Jewish Federations of North America, Yad Hanadiv, Rashi, Keren Hayesod, and Kalita Foundation; and corporate partnerships (e.g., Café Osrit, Ma'ala forum members) for co-funded programming. All services are provided free or subsidized at point of use to individual community members. The organization's strategic posture is defined by its monopoly-style regulatory mandate and unmatched geographic distribution rather than by technology or product differentiation.

Name

Israel Association of Community Centers

Legal name

החברה למתנ"סים מרכזים קהילתיים בישראל בע"מ (חל"צ)

Website

https://matnasim.org.il

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Israel Association of Community Centers (Matnasim) is the quasi-governmental social arm of the State of Israel, operating approximately 200 community centers and 1,000 branches across the country to deliver national educational, social, and community programs on behalf of government ministries, 206-236 local authorities, philanthropic foundations, and corporate partners, serving roughly 3 million Israeli residents annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

Keywords

• Community center services
• Social program management
• Educational enrichment programs
• Government social services
• Community development

Headquarters

HQ city

Lod

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Ministry Contracts: The company serves as the implementation arm of State of Israel government ministries (Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Equality, etc.) executing national programs funded through ministry budgets. Revenue flows from competitive public tenders and direct service contracts with government ministries.
2. Local Authority Service Agreements: Community centers operate as independent legal entities (municipal corporations or public benefit companies) with their own financial management, funded in partnership with local municipal authorities who co-govern the centers (40% local authority, 40% residents, 20% company). Revenue includes municipal budget contributions for center operations.
3. Philanthropic Grants and Donations: Fundraising through the Association for Encouragement and Promotion of Community Centers in Israel (registered charity) and the American Friends of the Company, channeling international philanthropy (e.g., Jewish Federations of North America) and Israeli foundations into national projects and targeted center donations.
4. Business Sector Partnerships: Strategic corporate partnerships (e.g., with Café Oliveira, major Israeli corporations) for co-funding social, educational and community programs, both in routine times and emergency response. Revenue is in-kind or co-funded project support rather than direct commercial revenue.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Israel Association of Community Centers operates a nationwide network of approximately 200 community centers and 1,000 branches delivering educational, social, cultural, and community programming to ~3 million Israeli residents across all demographic groups. The organization functions as the social arm of the State of Israel, executing national programs on behalf of government ministries (Education, Health, Social Equality) and providing community infrastructure in partnership with local municipal authorities. Core offerings include flagship programs such as Karev (educational enrichment), Sal Tarbut (national culture basket), Baim LeTov (senior volunteering), and Yomale (autism spectrum after-school care), supplemented by measurement tools (Madad Community Index) and emergency response capabilities.

Product overview

The Israel Association of Community Centers (החברה למתנ"סים) operates a nationwide network of approximately 200 community centers and 1,000 branches as its core product, providing educational, social, cultural, and community services across all life stages and population sectors in Israel. The organization is structured into five regional districts (Jerusalem, South, Haifa and the Valleys, North, and Central), each managing local community centers with professional support from multiple management divisions including Finance, Human Resources, Strategy, Digital, and Communications. The portfolio consists of flagship national programs including Karev (educational engagement), Sal Tarbut (national culture basket), Baim LeTov (senior volunteering), Yomale (autism spectrum care), Madad (community measurement index), and various specialized programs addressing youth development, disabilities, social cohesion, and community resilience. The community center network serves as the execution infrastructure while national programs provide thematic programming coordinated through the company's management divisions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Centers Network (מרכזים קהילתיים) Nationwide network of approximately 200 community centers and 1,000 branches spanning from Metula to Eilat, providing educational, social, cultural, and community services across all life stages and population sectors in Israel. Managed as independent legal entities co-governed with local municipal authorities.
• Karev Program (תכנית קרב) National program for educational engagement promoting social change and narrowing social gaps through enrichment classes and activities in formal education settings. Operated on behalf of the Ministry of Education.
• Sal Tarbut (סל תרבות ארצי) National culture basket program exposing students from kindergarten to 12th grade to culture across six art genres including theater, dance, music, film, literature, and visual arts. Operated for the Ministry of Education.
• Baim LeTov (באים לטוב) National volunteer framework for senior citizens with over 17,000 volunteers active in approximately 140 local authorities. Operated together with the Ministry for Social Equality.
• Yomale (יומלא) Educational continuation framework for students on the autism spectrum, providing afternoon care under the same structure with consistent staff. Operated as an execution arm of the Ministry of Education.
• Madad Community Index (מדד הקהילתיות) Community measurement index tool developed in partnership with ERI research company, assessing community health across six dimensions: meaningfulness, belonging, commitment, trust and reciprocity, connectivity, and collective action. Surveyed ~85,000 residents across 80 local authorities.
• Derech Eretz (תכנית דרך ארץ) Program operating in over 65 authorities with approximately 15,000 youth participants from all sectors and religions, connecting youth to the land through experiential hiking and nature trips.
• Hugnif LeNo'ar / Hachnasa LeMorim (תכנית חונכות לנוער) Mentoring program for youth from the Haredi society during transition between educational institutions, operating in 70 authorities with approximately 8,500 youth and over 1,000 mentors.
• Hamesayat (המסייעת) Joint initiative with the Center for Local Government providing employment solutions in shortage professions through a national pool of substitutes for kindergarten and afternoon care staff.
• Bakehila (מחליפים מילה בקהילה) Program for reducing polarization and increasing social cohesion and resilience, operated through strategic partnership with the President's Residence.
• Ninja League (ליגת הנינג'ה הלאומית) National ninja training course and league creating a community of practitioners, enabling youth who cannot participate in competitive sports to take part in regional and national events.
• Fabulous February (פברואר יוצא מן הכלל) Awareness month dedicated to creating an inclusive society for people with and without disabilities, with hundreds of events held across community centers nationwide.
• Mechubarim (מחוברים) Program for French olim (immigrants from France) strengthening connections with the French-Israeli community through community activities and events.
• The Greenhouse (החממה) Virtual home for people with disabilities, autism, and mental health challenges providing safe spaces for online gatherings, stress relief, and social connection with daily workshops and activities.
• Amitim LeZekuyot (עמיתים לזכויות) Rights advocates program with people with mental health disabilities who conduct training, including workshops for police officers on post-traumatic stress awareness. Operated in partnership with the Ministry of Health.

Quantifiable outcome

• ~3 million Israeli residents served annually from all demographic groups
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• All Government Ministries (Israel)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe company serves as the designated implementation arm of the Israeli government across all ministries (Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry for Social Equality, Ministry of Welfare, etc.), executing national programs in social, educational, and community affairs. This is the core institutional partnership structure underpinning the company's mission.
• Local Municipal Authorities (206-236 authorities)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEach community center is co-governed with the local municipal authority (40% local authority representation, 40% residents, 20% Matnasim). Local authorities provide operational funding and policy alignment, while the company provides professional management, national programs, and measurement infrastructure. The company operates in all parts of Israeli society from center to periphery.
• Association for Encouragement and Promotion of Community Centers in Israel (עמותה לעידוד וקידום מרכזים קהילתיים בישראל, ע"ר)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegistered Israeli charity that conducts broad-scale philanthropy in Israel, channeling donations to national projects and targeted community center needs. Works hand-in-hand with Matnasim management as a lead partner in fulfilling the organizational vision.
• ERI Research CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch company that collaborated with the company to develop the Madad Community Index, including the definition of community measurement dimensions, measurement instruments, and digital work interface for data analysis and insight development.
• Green Spoon Israel Foundation (קרן גרינספון ישראל בע"מ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint initiative partner — the company announced intention to conduct a joint venture with Green Spoon Israel Foundation for community and environmental programming.
• Nature Protection Society (החברה להגנת הטבע)minorOthersSingle-supplier engagement partner — announced intention to contract with the Nature Protection Society for environmental programming services.
• Center for Local Government (מרכז השלטון המקומי)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in the 'Hamesayat' (המסייעת) initiative — a national labor market program addressing shortages in professions. The Center operates the initiative jointly with the company through the community center network.
• Rashi Foundation (קרן רש"י)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough its 'Tapua in Education' (תפנית בחינוך) foundation, the Rashi Foundation co-manages the Karev program for educational enrichment with the company, on behalf of the Ministry of Education. This is a flagship national program.
• Ministry for Social Equality (Israel) — המשרד לשוויון חברתיcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-running 'Baim L'Tov' — the national volunteering system for senior citizens, with the ministry. This is the flagship national volunteering program of the State of Israel for elderly citizens.
• Ministry of Health (Israel) — משרד הבריאותmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through the 'Amitim LeZekuyot' (עמיתים לזכויות) program for mental health inclusion — people with mental health challenges serve as trainers for police officers, healthcare workers, and community members.
• Café Osrit (קפה עלית)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner in community programming — collaborated on the 'Cup of Coffee with the Founding Generation' (הצדעה לדור המייסדים על כוס קפה עלית) project, bringing together senior citizens and young people across Israel.
• Ma'ala (מעלה) — Israeli Corporate Responsibility ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of the Ma'ala forum — Israel's central forum for corporate responsibility and ESG. The company views the business sector as a full partner in creating lasting social impact.
• Kalita (קעליטה) FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner foundation supporting French-origin olim (immigrants). Collaborated on the 'Mechubarim' (מחוברים) program for French immigrants in Israel, including the annual summer event in Jerusalem attended by ~1,200 children and parents.
• Israel Nature Protection Society (החברה להגנת הטבע)minorOthersPartner for environmental responsibility in community center management, tenders, and programs. ESG-aligned environmental governance partnership.
• Midrasha — Institute for Independent Education Teachers (מכון למורים לחינוך עצמאי)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSingle-supplier training partner for nationwide training services in the Haredi sector, contracted for educational programming.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Federation of youth-focused community clubs delivering education, mentoring, and after-school programming. Comparable in that it operates a national network of locally-affiliated sites with mixed public and philanthropic funding targeting youth and families.
• YMCA of the USA: National federation of YMCAs operating thousands of community facilities with youth programming, education, and social services. Directly comparable as a large-scale, quasi-public, locally-governed community-services network delivering programs on behalf of public-sector partners.
• JCC Association of North America: Umbrella association for Jewish Community Centers across North America. The closest international analog to Matnasim — operates a federated network of community centers serving Jewish populations with education, culture, and social programming, funded by a mix of government contracts, philanthropy, and membership fees.

Emerging players

• ELEM (Youth in Distress): Israeli nonprofit specializing in at-risk youth outreach, partially overlapping with Matnasim's Hugnit LeNo'ar and Derech Eretz programs. Comparable as an Israeli social-services nonprofit competing for ministry contracts and philanthropic dollars.
• Latet (Israeli Humanitarian Aid): Major Israeli social-services nonprofit focused on food poverty and welfare assistance. Comparable in operating at national scale with ministry and philanthropic funding, though focused on a narrower poverty-relief vertical.
• United Way Worldwide: Federated network of local United Way chapters that aggregate workplace giving and disburse funds to community programs. Comparable in the role of funder and coordinator for community-level social services across the U.S., though less focused on direct program delivery.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth mentoring organization operating through local affiliates, comparable to Matnasim's Hugnit LeNo'ar program that pairs 1,000+ mentors with Haredi youth. Comparable model of nationally-coordinated mentoring with local delivery.

Others

• Jewish Federations of North America: Umbrella network of Jewish philanthropic federations that channels funding to Israeli social programs including Matnasim. Functions as a key funding partner rather than competitor, but operates a comparable model of coordinated cross-community resource allocation.
• American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC): Global Jewish humanitarian organization running community programs in Israel and overseas. Comparable in operating community-level social welfare and elderly services in Israel with mixed government and donor funding, often in partnership with local municipalities.

Regional players

• Jewish Agency for Israel: Quasi-governmental Israeli organization operating nationally and globally on Jewish-related social and educational programming, with similar institutional structure, philanthropic funding from Jewish federations, and government-designated status. Operates a different but adjacent mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/israel-association-of-community-centers

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Israel Association of Community Centers