For the researchers to cast the entire findings on the government’s shoulders, to say that it is “not an issue of culture” is to not address the facts on the ground.

For a whole slew of reasons (a separate blog in of itself) Israelis are not donating to nonprofit organizations (this does not mean that they aren’t charitable). Or saying it differently, Israelis don’t feel a connection to the charities operating in their country.

I agree that it all boils down to making the connection. Getting the People involved. Convincing them that it is in their best interest to give back to society. These are the principles that will engage the People and raise the percentages.

Thanks for your comments David. Always good to hear from you.

Shuey

Not being a financial expert, my gut still tells me that most people who give to charities don’t do so only because they can get a tax write-off. I think it is human nature to want to help someone else in need and Israelis are no different.

The Israeli/Middle Eastern culture, however, is not as familiar with the concept of donating to a large organization as Americans, for example, are. The culture in this part of the world is much more about helping friends, neighbors and family and less about people who you don’t know personally.

Parenthetically, I think this idea is actually becoming more prevalent in the West as well, where charity organizations such as the Jewish Federation or religious movements such as the Reform/Conservative/Orthodox movements are finding it increasingly difficult to connect to people because they are face-less, bureaucratic bodies that are very difficult to connect to on an individual level. The key in attracting donors in the 21st century is making the cause relevant to the person giving of their time or money.

Making personal and meaningful connections with people will increase the rate of Israelis who donate. I think that tax incentives can help but we are talking about changing the very fabric of a society. Why should someone want to donate to Magen David Adom? Not because you can save a little bit of money – but because you can save someone’s life. I think this sort of message rings home for many but they haven’t been approached in the proper way.

If organizations focused less on themselves and all of their achievements and more on the people that they help, I think a lot more Israelis would jump on the bandwagon. Give them a reason to feel part of the organization/cause, and they will!