SAN DIEGO, CA – March 16, 2026 Today, the Jewish Funders Network (JFN) and The Genesis Prize Foundation (GPF) announced a new matching gifts program to support organizations helping to heal Israelis after the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks and the two wars that followed. The Genesis Prize Foundation has committed $1 million to the effort, with members of JFN and other donors expected to contribute at least $1 million more through participation in the match.
When Gal Gadot was announced as the 2026 Genesis Prize Laureate in November, she said, “I am humbled to receive the Genesis Prize and to stand alongside the amazing laureates who came before me. I am a proud Jew and a proud Israeli. I love my country and dedicate this award to the organizations who will help Israel heal and to those incredible people who serve on the front lines of compassion. Israel has endured unimaginable pain. Now we must begin to heal – to rebuild hearts, families, and communities.”
In announcing the matching gifts program, Andres Spokoiny, President and CEO of JFN, said: “Matching gifts are one of the most powerful tools in philanthropy. They inspire new giving, strengthen partnerships, and multiply impact. At a time when Israel’s caregivers are stretched beyond capacity, we must ensure that those who are helping others heal receive the support they need. JFN is proud to steward this collaborative effort, and we call on donors and foundations to join us in meeting these critical needs.”
Conceived by Gal Gadot, the initiative will focus on strengthening Israel’s long-term recovery by investing in the professionals and organizations helping others heal particularly as Israelis work to recover from the trauma of October 7 and navigate the compounded effects of the current conflict with Iran and Hezbollah. Since October 7, Gadot has been a prominent global voice calling for solidarity with Israel and the Jewish people, underscoring the importance of resilience and unity during a time of profound national trauma.
Deep and Prolonged Trauma
Israeli society continues to grapple with deep and prolonged trauma. Thousands of families have been directly affected by violence, displacement, and loss, while communities across the country are navigating sustained stress and uncertainty. Experts warn that the psychological and social consequences will be felt for years.
Long-term recovery depends not only on emergency relief, but on sustained investment in the people doing the healing – therapists treating trauma, educators supporting displaced children, social workers assisting bereaved families, and community leaders holding fragile communities together. Strengthening this human infrastructure is essential to national resilience.
The program will prioritize initiatives that train and develop frontline professionals, strengthen retention, well-being, and resilience among caregivers, expand human capital in mental health and community care, and deploy innovative tools that support and scale professional services. Emphasis will be placed on sustainability and long-term impact rather than short-term interventions.
Participating NGOs must first secure funding commitments from individual donors or foundations. Once funding is secured, organizations may apply to have those gifts matched by The Genesis Prize Foundation. The model is designed to incentivize new philanthropy, amplify effective organizations, and encourage collaboration among funders.
“The Genesis Prize recognizes and honors Jewish achievement – and channels that recognition into meaningful impact,” said Stan Polovets, Co-Founder and Chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation. “In this moment, and in honoring Gal Gadot, the most urgent investment we can make is in Israel’s human infrastructure: the therapists, educators, and caregivers who sustain national resilience, helping communities heal from the trauma of October 7 and the ongoing conflict with Iran and Hezbollah. Working with Jewish Funders Network allows us to mobilize philanthropy in a thoughtful, collaborative, and lasting way.”
Guidelines and application details are available here.
About The Genesis Prize Foundation
The Genesis Prize Foundation celebrates Jewish achievement and strengthens Jewish identity while supporting philanthropic initiatives aligned with its laureates’ values. The $1 million prize award, along with matching funds, have been donated in honor of the Laureates to various initiatives, including: support of social entrepreneurship based on Jewish values, inclusiveness of intermarried families in Jewish life, improving the lives of individuals with special needs, helping to alleviate the global refugee crisis, advancing women’s equality, combating antisemitism and efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel, assistance to those affected by the COVID pandemic and to nonprofits fighting for racial and economic justice; preserving the memory of Jewish communities destroyed during the Nazi occupation of Greece; assistance to Jewish activists and NGOs working to alleviate the suffering of the people of Ukraine; humanitarian assistance, treatment, rehabilitation and counseling for hostages rescued or released from Hamas captivity and their families and working toward closer relations between Israel and Latin America.
About Jewish Funders Network
The Jewish Funders Network (JFN) is a global community of philanthropic leaders committed to advancing effective, collaborative, and values-driven giving. JFN connects funders across generations, geographies, and issue areas to share knowledge, build partnerships, and strengthen the impact of Jewish and Jewish-adjacent philanthropy worldwide. Through convenings, research, and peer learning, JFN helps its members address today’s most pressing challenges and opportunities with strategic insight and collective action.