Going Global: Practical Insights for Israeli Nonprofits Seeking International Funders

Understanding What It Takes to Build Strong, Sustainable Fundraising Relationships Outside of Israel

I recently had the opportunity to lead a practical, content-rich session hosted by JGive for over 60 Israeli fundraising and resource development professionals. The topic: international fundraising—where to begin, what to watch out for, and how to do it well.

Israeli nonprofits receive more than 13 billion NIS annually from donors abroad - most of it from North America. Many organizations are exploring what it truly takes to develop these donor relationships in a meaningful and strategic way. In this session, we tackled some of the core principles and tools needed to approach global giving with clarity, professionalism, and purpose.

Some of the key themes we explored included:

🔹 Why the U.S. remains the philanthropic powerhouse

The U.S. remains the largest and most established charitable market in the world, with over $600 billion in annual giving. For Israeli nonprofits, the cultural ties and communal infrastructure of American Jewish life create significant opportunities - if approached with the right mindset and tools.

🔹 What international donors expect - beyond a thank-you

Donors outside of Israel care deeply about personal relationships, alignment with mission and values, transparency, and professionalism. They want to be partners in change, not just check writers. Understanding how to speak their language - emotionally, culturally, and practically - is essential.

🔹 How to communicate your message effectively

We talked about how to craft fundraising messaging that moves, motivates, and mobilizes international supporters. This means clear English materials, donor-friendly websites, compelling storytelling, and a powerful fundraising Case for Support that outlines a long-term vision - not just short-term needs.

🔹 Building an “International Desk” the smart way

Launching or expanding international fundraising efforts doesn’t happen by accident. It requires thoughtful planning, investment in donor research, strategic partnerships, and a team- both in Israel and abroad - that knows how to cultivate and steward global donors.

🔹 Avoiding common pitfalls

From unrealistic expectations to cultural blind spots, we covered what to avoid - and what to prioritize - to ensure that your international fundraising efforts are built on trust, credibility, and long-term relationships.

💡 The biggest takeaway?

International fundraising isn’t just about translating your materials - it’s about transforming how you think, speak, and engage. Donors abroad are looking for bold, inspiring visions that reflect both local impact and global relevance.

If your organization is thinking about expanding your fundraising efforts outside of Israel, I’d love to help you get started with clarity and confidence.

#FundraisingAbroad #GlobalGiving #JewishPhilanthropy #IsraelNonprofits #InternationalFundraising #ResourceDevelopment #JewishFundraising #DonorEngagement #CaseForSupport #NonprofitGrowth

Tanja Sarett, MA, CFRE, CVF, is an international fundraising consultant, facilitator, and executive coach based in the US and Israel, and the founder of Synergies in Philanthropy Consulting.

Synergies in Philanthropy Consulting provides strategic and customized solutions to help nonprofits grow their fundraising capacity, deepen donor engagement, and drive sustainable revenue. With a global perspective and deep understanding of the local landscape, Synergies empowers organizations in Israel, the US, and Europe to excel with clarity, creativity, and confidence.