Shahaf Foundation
Shahaf Foundation is an Israeli philanthropic partnership that strengthens community resilience and quality of life across 300+ communities in Israel's geo-social periphery through programs in urban renewal, senior-citizen support, Arab-society development, and emergency response.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersTel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Shahaf Foundation does
Shahaf Foundation (קרן שח"ף) is an Israeli public-benefit philanthropic foundation established in 2010 by businessman and philanthropist Avi Naor and Dr. Hai Gemeshi (CEO), structured as a unique co-led philanthropic partnership in which multiple partners jointly shape strategy and investment areas. Headquartered in Tel Aviv-Yafo, the foundation operates a portfolio of interconnected community-development programs targeting Israel's geo-social periphery, including the Movement of Mission-Oriented Communities (grown from 90 to 300+ communities), Shchunot B'Shinui (Neighborhoods in Change) pilot in four urban neighborhoods, Kehila Meitiva across 16 municipalities, the Móvilim community-leaders network, the Research Center for Holistic Urban Renewal (joint with Yad Hanadiv and the Government Urban Renewal Authority), an emergency-response program launched after the October 7, 2023 Iron Swords War covering 8 northern municipalities, and newer initiatives serving Arab, Druze, Bedouin, and senior-citizen populations.
The foundation does not sell products or services and operates without publicly disclosed revenue figures. Its revenue model is grant-based, drawing from a diversified base of 12+ philanthropic partners (Schusterman Foundation, Yad Hanadiv, Rashi Foundation, Joint Israel Ashalim, Matar, Beracha, Meyerhoff, the National Insurance Institute, JFNA, New York Federation, New Israel Fund, and Taavura) and from co-funding arrangements with multiple Israeli government ministries (Welfare, Construction & Housing, Social Equality). Distribution occurs through direct field engagement, capacity-building, calls for proposals, research publication, a community podcast ("Diburei Kehila"), and website/newsletter channels. Outcomes cited include 1,800 projects per year, 800,000 annual beneficiaries, 725 neighborhood activists with 400% growth, and 5.5 million NIS mobilized in pilot neighborhoods.
Its core "technology" is a proprietary knowledge base of community-development frameworks (Kehila Meitiva, Shchunot B'Shinui, Móvilim, evaluation methodologies) and a 14-year institutional track record — not software or AI. The foundation's competitive position rests on a deeply embedded ecosystem of community organizations, local authorities, and government ministries that is difficult to replicate.
Shahaf Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Shahaf Foundation
- Legal name
- קרן שח"ף, חברה לתועלת הציבור (חל"צ)
- Website
- https://shahaff.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Shahaf Foundation is an Israeli philanthropic partnership that strengthens community resilience and quality of life across 300+ communities in Israel's geo-social periphery through programs in urban renewal, senior-citizen support, Arab-society development, and emergency response.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Shahaf Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Philanthropic Community Development Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA), Capacity Building & Nonprofit Infrastructure Funders (BPAGAKAO)
Keywords
Where Shahaf Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tel Aviv-Yafo
- HQ country
- Israel
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
Shahaf Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Shahaf Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Shahaf Foundation is a philanthropic foundation that supports community-based initiatives strengthening social resilience and improving quality of life in Israeli localities. It funds, develops, and professionally accompanies programs spanning mission-oriented community building, urban renewal in distressed neighborhoods, multi-sector community strategy in municipalities, professional networks for community leaders, independent senior-citizen communities, and emergency community resilience in conflict zones.
Product overview
Shahaf Foundation operates as a philanthropic partnership established in 2010, functioning as a platform of interconnected community development programs rather than a single unified product. The portfolio includes the Movement of Mission-Oriented Communities (grown from 90 to over 300 communities), Neighborhoods in Change (pilot in 4 neighborhoods), Beneficial Community (strategic program in 16 localities), Community Leaders (professional network), the Network of Community Council Members, the Research Center for Holistic Urban Renewal, Emergency Activity programs, Community Development in Arab Society, the B'Tzvata initiative for senior citizens, and Urban Strategy services. These programs collectively aim to build community resilience and improve quality of life in Israel's geographic and social periphery through community building, urban renewal, and civic engagement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Shchunot B'Shinui (שכונות בשינוי): A joint initiative of Shahaf Foundation, the Ministry of Housing's Neighborhood Rehabilitation Division, the Youth Authority, the National Insurance Institute's Special Funds, and local municipalities. Focuses on improving quality of life in 4 pilot neighborhoods through community-driven urban renewal.
- Kehila Meitiva (קהילה מיטיבה)
- B'Tzvatam (בצוותא)
- Research Center for Holistic Urban Renewal
Products and services
- Movement of Mission-Oriented Communities (תנועת הקהילות המשימתיות) A nationwide movement of young, mission-oriented communities supporting social activism, educational advancement, and community building across Israel's geographic and social periphery. Representing diverse sectors including Zionist youth movements, religious Zionist youth, Ultra-Orthodox, Ethiopian and Former Soviet Union immigrants, and Arab, Druze, and Bedouin communities.
- Shchunot B'Shinui (Neighborhoods in Change) A pilot initiative operating since 2020 in 4 pilot neighborhoods (Hadar in Haifa, Sharet in Lod, Kiryat Yovel in Jerusalem, and Mitzpe Ramon) to improve quality of life through holistic, long-term community-based urban renewal.
- Kehila Meitiva (Beneficial Community) A strategic initiative developed through the Beneficial Community process with over 60 partner organizations, designed to develop and strengthen communities in 16 localities through a multi-sector collaborative approach across four action channels: economic, urban, social, and educational.
- Movilim Kehilatiyot (Community Leaders Professional Network) A professional network for community leaders in local authorities, including a community of community department managers, a multi-sector core community, and middle-management community supervisors, providing peer learning, training, and professional development.
- Network of Community Council Members (רשת חברי מועצה קהילתיים)
Quantifiable outcome
- 300+ communities established across Israel's geo-social periphery
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Shahaf Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Shahaf Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Shahaf Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Joint Israel (ג'וינט אשלים)coreStrategic partner in community development programs and initiatives, providing expertise and co-development of community models
- Israel Movement (תנועה ישראלית)coreCo-initiator of Council Members Network for community leadership development
- Kol Makomi (קול מקומי)corePartner in Council Members Network initiative
- Matnasim (החברה למתנ"סים)corePartner in community development initiatives and Movilim program
- Shita Institute (מכון שיטה)minorPartner in Council Members Network initiative
- Service for Community Work, Ministry of Welfare (השירות לעבודה קהילתית, משרד הרווחה)coreGovernment partner for community development and emergency resilience programs in northern municipalities
- Neighborhood Rehabilitation Division, Ministry of Construction and Housing (אגף שיקום שכונות במשרד הבינוי והשכון)corePartner in Shchunot B'Shinui initiative for neighborhood renewal
- Youth Authority, Ministry of Social Equality (רשות הצעירים במשרד לשוויון חברתי)corePartner in Shchunot B'Shinui initiative
- Administration for Senior Citizens, Ministry of Welfare (מינהל אזרחים ותיקים, משרד הרווחה והביטחון החברתי)coreJoint initiative with Ministry for development of independent communities of senior citizens
- Government Authority for Urban Renewal (הרשות הממשלתית להתחדשות עירונית)corePartner in Research Center for Holistic Urban Renewal
- Sanad (סנד)corePartner organization supporting Arab society community development and Yir'a network
- Ofakim L'Atid (אופקים לעתיד)corePartner for Druze society community development with 7 communities
- Tohar BaAretz (תוצרת הארץ)minorPartner for Bedouin society community development in Rahat
- Tamar Center and Ajik (מרכז תמר ואג'יק)minorPartners for adult community networks in Bedouin society
- Shefer (שפר)corePartner organization for senior citizen independent communities initiative
- EretzIr (ארץעיר)corePartner organization for senior citizen communities
- Kehilla L'Tikun Chevrati (קהילה לתיקון חברתי)corePartner organization for senior communities
- Bnei Makom (בני מקום)corePartner organization for senior communities
- Community Organizations NetworkcoreUmbrella organizations including: Hashomer Hatzair, HaHalutz, Shaalim, Reut, Dror Israel, Bnei Akiva, Hineni, Friends by Nature, Hamahanot Haolim, Tarbuyot, Tozarat, Mdor L'Dor, Keren Kehilot Israel, Shituf Circles
- Moetzet HaKvutzot VeHaKehilot (מועצת הקבוצות והקהילות בישראל)coreNational umbrella organization of communities established with foundation support
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Shahaf Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- New Israel Fund: Israeli civil society funding organization supporting democratic values, social justice, and inclusive community. Shahaf identifies it as a Minor financial partner supporting community initiatives; comparable as an Israeli grantmaking peer focused on civil society.
- Yad Hanadiv (Rothschild Foundation): Major Israeli philanthropic foundation funding education, community, and urban renewal initiatives. Co-partner with Shahaf in the Research Center for Holistic Urban Renewal, making it a directly comparable grantmaking peer in the same Israeli community development space.
- Rashi Foundation: Israeli philanthropic foundation focused on socio-economic periphery communities, education, and community resilience. Shahaf identifies Rashi as a Core partner in Kehila Meitiva and emergency response programs, making it a directly comparable Israeli community-development funder.
- Schusterman Foundation Israel: Israeli arm of the Schusterman family philanthropy investing in Jewish and Israeli community, leadership, and equity. Shahaf identifies it as a Core financial partner, making it a directly comparable funder in Israeli civil society and community capacity building.
- Joint Israel (JDC Israel / Ashalim): Israeli arm of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, running programs on community resilience, at-risk populations, and social welfare. Shahaf identifies Joint Israel Ashalim as a Core strategic and co-development partner in Kehila Meitiva, making it a directly comparable Israeli community development operator.
- Jewish Federations of North America: North American umbrella of Jewish federations funding Israeli and Jewish community welfare, including emergency response. Shahaf identifies JFNA as a Minor partner supporting community resilience; comparable as a diaspora funder channel for Israeli community programming.
Regional players
- Bernard van Leer Foundation: Dutch-based foundation funding early childhood and community development programs in Israel and internationally. Comparable as an international grantmaker focused on community wellbeing in Israeli and other peripheral geographies, but primarily operates cross-regionally.
Emerging players
- Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger: Jewish anti-hunger advocacy and grantmaking organization in the U.S. with Israeli partner activity. Loosely comparable as a values-driven grantmaker supporting vulnerable populations, though with a different programmatic focus.
- The Russell Berrie Foundation: Israeli-American foundation funding community development, interfaith, and social entrepreneurship initiatives in Israel. Comparable as a smaller-scale grantmaker with overlapping focus on Israeli periphery and community building.
Broad incumbents
- The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation: U.S.-based flagship of the Schusterman philanthropy, with a broader global portfolio covering Jewish identity, education, and equity. Comparable as a larger, broader incumbent funder in the same family of partners as Schusterman Foundation Israel.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Shahaf Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceShahaf Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Shahaf Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Shahaf Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Shahaf 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 Shahaf Foundation
What does Shahaf Foundation do?
Shahaf Foundation is a philanthropic foundation that supports community-based initiatives strengthening social resilience and improving quality of life in Israeli localities. It funds, develops, and professionally accompanies programs spanning mission-oriented community building, urban renewal in distressed neighborhoods, multi-sector community strategy in municipalities, professional networks for community leaders, independent senior-citizen communities, and emergency community resilience in conflict zones.
Is Shahaf Foundation a public or private company?
Shahaf Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Shahaf Foundation founded?
Shahaf Foundation was founded in 2010. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Shahaf Foundation based?
Shahaf Foundation is headquartered in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel, in the Middle East region.
Who are Shahaf Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are New Israel Fund, Yad Hanadiv (Rothschild Foundation), Rashi Foundation, Schusterman Foundation Israel, Joint Israel (JDC Israel / Ashalim) and Jewish Federations of North America. Bernard van Leer Foundation is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger and The Russell Berrie Foundation. The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Shahaf Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Shahaf Foundation.
What industry is Shahaf Foundation in?
Shahaf Foundation's product category is Philanthropic Community Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAB, Community Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAA, Private Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211.