The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD)

What The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD) does

The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD) is a Jerusalem-based non-profit founded in 2010 by Rabbi Yonatan Neril that mobilizes faith communities to act on environmental sustainability. Registered as an Israeli non-profit and fiscally sponsored in the U.S. by FJC and in Canada by Mizrahi Canada, ICSD operates with a small core team of 1-10 staff and volunteers. Its programmatic surface includes the Faith Inspired Renewable Energy Project, which deploys solar and wind generation on church lands in Africa with Gigawatt Global; the Interfaith Eco Seminary Engagement Project, which integrates ecology into theological curricula; recurring interfaith environmental conferences (12 since 2011 across Jerusalem, NYC, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Dallas, Columbus, Durban, and others); and interfaith panels delivered in Jerusalem at 1,900 NIS per 90-minute session for tour operators and student groups.

ICSD's core content assets include the Eco Bible (an ecological commentary on the Hebrew Bible co-authored with Rabbi Leo Dee), the EcoPreacher 1-2-3 monthly clergy resource available in English and Spanish, Bible Eco Infographics, and a library of 270+ religion-and-ecology videos spanning 14 faith traditions across YouTube (150,000+ views) and Facebook (400,000+ views). Its most strategically significant initiative is the Faith Pavilion at UN Climate Conferences, first launched at COP28 in Dubai in 2023 with 70 sessions and 325 speakers, and extended to 16 events at COP29 in Baku in 2024.

The organization is funded primarily through institutional foundation grants — the Julia Burke Foundation contributed over $900,000 between 2011-2022 and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation contributed over $640,000 — alongside smaller family funds, embassy grants, and individual donations. It maintains partnership or membership status with the International Partnership on Religion & Sustainable Development (PaRD), Olam Together, United Religions International (URI), the Alliance for Middle East Peace, the Shine Campaign, and the World Economic Forum's Global Collaboration Village and Earth Decides.

Name

The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD)

Legal name

The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development

Website

https://interfaithsustain.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD) is a Jerusalem-based non-profit founded in 2010 that mobilizes faith communities globally to act on environmental sustainability through publications, interfaith conferences, seminary engagement, renewable energy deployment in Africa, and the Faith Pavilion at UN Climate Conferences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Faith-Based Environmental Education and Advocacy

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO)

Keywords

• Interfaith environmental advocacy
• Faith-based ecology education
• Renewable energy deployment
• Religious sustainability education
• Climate change mobilization

Headquarters

HQ city

Jerusalem

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Foundation and Donor Funding: ICSD operates as a non-profit organization funded primarily through foundations and private donors. Major supporters include the Julia Burke Foundation (over $900,000), William and Flora Hewlett Foundation (over $640,000), and other institutional donors at various levels.
2. Fiscal Sponsorship: Registered in Israel as a non-profit organization, with fiscal sponsorship in the U.S. by FJC and in Canada by Mizrahi Canada, allowing tax-deductible donations.
3. Interfaith Panel Services: ICSD organizes interfaith panels for groups at 1,900 NIS per 90-minute session in Jerusalem, customized to group requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ICSD publishes educational resources including Eco Bible (an ecological commentary on the Hebrew Bible), EcoPreacher 1-2-3 (monthly clergy resource), and a library of over 270 religion and ecology videos; convenes interfaith environmental conferences and the Faith Pavilion at UN Climate Conferences (COP28, COP29); deploys renewable energy projects through faith institution lands in Africa; and provides interfaith panel experiences and seminary engagement programming on faith and ecology.

Product overview

The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD) is a non-profit organization that operates as a content and education platform rather than a traditional software product. Its offerings include educational publications (Eco Bible), preaching resources (EcoPreacher 1-2-3), video content (270+ faith and ecology videos), infographics, and programmatic initiatives including interfaith conferences, renewable energy projects, seminary education programs, and interfaith panel events. ICSD mobilizes faith communities to address environmental sustainability through publications, conferences, educational programs, and advocacy at UN climate conferences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Eco Bible: An Ecological Commentary on the Hebrew Bible An ecological commentary on the Hebrew Bible co-authored by Rabbi Yonatan Neril and Rabbi Leo Dee, interpreting over three millennia of religious wisdom alongside modern scientific research on key ecological issues, available in two volumes covering Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy; targets faith readers, clergy, and educators seeking scriptural grounding for environmental action.
• EcoPreacher 1-2-3 A free monthly resource, available in English and Spanish (EcoPredicador Cristiano 1-2-3), providing Christian clergy with brief eco-exegesis based on the Revised Common Lectionary, sermon ideas, and three action items to help congregations put their faith into practice for environmental stewardship.
• All Faith Ecology Videos A YouTube-based video library of over 270 religion and ecology videos spanning Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Bahai, Sikh, Daoism, Confucianism, Shinto, Zoroastrianism, and Indigenous spirituality, with topics across creation care, climate change, food ecology, and seminary engagement.
• Bible Eco Infographics A set of seven visually engaging posters linking biblical wisdom with ecological themes including biodiversity, animal welfare, species conservation, plant-based lifestyle, trees in Jewish wisdom, and scientific perspectives on forests.
• Interfaith Panels Customized 90-minute interfaith panel discussions in Jerusalem featuring Muslim, Christian, and Jewish clergy (with Bahai and Druse available on request), priced at 1,900 NIS per session, serving tour groups, students, and visiting institutions on coexistence, environmental sustainability, and stewardship.
• Faith Pavilion at UN Climate Conferences (COP28, COP29) An interfaith programming platform at UN Climate Conferences convened by ICSD in partnership with the Muslim Council of Elders and UNEP, providing 70+ sessions of faith-based climate advocacy across Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Indigenous, Bahai, and other traditions at COP28 (Dubai, 2023) and COP29 (Baku, 2024).
• Faith Inspired Renewable Energy Project A field project that deploys solar and wind energy generation on faith institution lands in Africa, in cooperation with renewable energy developers including Gigawatt Global, to bring electricity to local communities, reduce indoor air pollution, and curb deforestation.
• Interfaith Ecology Conferences A series of twelve interfaith environmental conferences co-organized by ICSD since 2011 in cities including Jerusalem, New York City, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Dallas, Columbus, and Durban, bringing together religious leaders, scientists, and seminary faculty on faith and ecology.
• Greening Houses of Worship Program A program, in collaboration with the World Resources Institute's Interfaith Greening Jerusalem Houses of Worship Project, providing guidance and resources for churches, mosques, temples, and synagogues to reduce food waste, plant gardens, use durable dishes, eliminate single-use plastics, conduct energy audits, install renewable energy, and advocate for environmental action.
• Interfaith Eco Seminary Engagement Project A project promoting ecologically-informed theological education in seminaries and religious schools through symposia, curriculum integration, and faculty resources, preparing the next generation of religious leaders for creation care and environmental justice.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70 sessions with 325 speakers at COP28 Faith Pavilion, generating 7% of total COP28 media coverage
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• Muslim Council of EldersflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023Host of the Faith Pavilion at COP28 in collaboration with ICSD and over 50 faith organizations. Pope Francis planned to attend the inaugural session and delivered a video address instead.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023Partner in organizing the Faith Pavilion at COP28, bringing UN climate mandate to interfaith engagement.
• International Partnership on Religion & Sustainable Development (PaRD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICSD is a partner organization of PaRD, participating in global interfaith collaboration on religion and sustainable development.
• Olam TogethercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICSD is a partner organization of Olam Together, collaborating on faith-based environmental initiatives.
• United Religions International (URI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICSD is a Cooperation Circle of URI, engaging in interfaith cooperation for sustainable development.
• Shine CampaignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICSD is a partner organization of the Shine Campaign for faith-based sustainability initiatives.
• Alliance for Middle East PeaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICSD collaborates with the Alliance for Middle East Peace on interfaith environmental work.
• World Economic Forum Global Collaboration Village and Earth DecidesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICSD participates in World Economic Forum's initiatives on global collaboration and climate action.
• Episcopal Diocese of CaliforniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the Faith Pavilion at COP28, representing major Christian denomination in climate advocacy.
• Konrad Adenauer StiftungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized interfaith climate conferences including the 2012 Interfaith Climate and Energy Conference and 2015 Religious Education in the Era of Climate Change summit in Jerusalem.
• Green Seminary InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized seven symposia on ecologically informed theological education across the US, integrating ecology into seminary curricula.
• Methodist Theological School in OhiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized Midwest Symposium on Ecologically Informed Theological Education and other seminary engagement events.
• Gigawatt GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenewable energy company collaborating with ICSD on the Faith Inspired Renewable Energy Project in Africa to deploy solar fields on church lands.
• World Resources InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating on the Interfaith Greening Jerusalem Houses of Worship Project to engage churches, mosques, and synagogues in a two-year greening process.
• World Economic ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICSD is part of the World Economic Forum's Global Collaboration Village and Earth Decides initiatives for climate action.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL): COEJL is the Jewish communal environmental movement, mobilizing Jewish institutions on environmental issues. It overlaps with ICSD's Jewish-focused Eco Bible content and faith-based environmental education mission.
• Green Seminary Initiative: Green Seminary Initiative works to integrate ecology into theological education, having co-organized seven symposia with ICSD. It is a direct partner and peer in promoting ecologically-informed seminary curriculum reform.
• Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences: IFEES advances Islamic environmental ethics and mobilizes Muslim communities for climate action. It parallels ICSD's interfaith approach while focusing specifically on the Islamic theological tradition, complementing ICSD's multi-faith scope.
• GreenFaith: GreenFaith is a leading interfaith environmental organization mobilizing religious communities for climate action. It directly parallels ICSD in mission, audience (faith communities), and tactics (advocacy, education, divestment campaigns), with both organizations competing for foundation funding in the same niche.
• Blessed Tomorrow: Blessed Tomorrow is a coalition of faith leaders addressing climate change, providing resources and advocacy tools to religious communities. It competes with ICSD for the same climate-faith audience and foundation funding in the U.S.
• Creation Justice Ministries: Creation Justice Ministries represents Protestant and Orthodox Christian denominations in eco-justice advocacy. It parallels ICSD's EcoPreacher and seminary work, focusing on creation care theology and mobilizing faith communities for environmental policy advocacy.
• Interfaith Power and Light: Interfaith Power and Light is a national religious response to climate change, mobilizing congregations across faith traditions for energy conservation, renewable energy, and advocacy. It overlaps with ICSD in mobilizing clergy and congregations on faith-climate integration and renewable energy deployment.

Broad incumbents

• World Resources Institute: WRI is a global environmental research organization that collaborates with ICSD on the Interfaith Greening Jerusalem Houses of Worship Project. While much larger and broader in scope, WRI provides the technical environmental expertise that complements ICSD's faith-mobilization role.
• Parliament of the World's Religions: Parliament of the World's Religions is a broader interfaith convening organization that addresses sustainability alongside peace, justice, and other global issues. It provides overlapping convening infrastructure that ICSD draws on, but operates at a wider thematic scope beyond environmental focus.

Emerging players

• A Rocha International: A Rocha is a Christian conservation organization operating in multiple countries with field projects combining environmental science and faith community engagement. It overlaps with ICSD's faith-based environmental work but is more focused on hands-on conservation projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/interfaithsustain
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-interfaith-center-for-sustainable-development

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD)