Israeli Public Shifts Donations From Military Needs to Mental Health

Despite nearly two years of war and economic uncertainty, Israelis continue to donate generously, with giving platforms Cheridy and Jgive reporting significant increases in both donor numbers and donation volume. Cheridy saw a global fundraising of over 2 billion shekels in the past year, with a 5% increase from the previous year, and a nearly 10% rise in Israeli donors. Jgive reported a 53% increase in donation volume during the High Holidays period over four years, with a 57% rise in the number of donations.

However, the focus of these donations has shifted dramatically. Contributions to mental health and post-traumatic stress campaigns have surged nearly fivefold compared to 2023. Conversely, donations for soldiers and reservists have fallen by 52% from their peak. This indicates a move away from immediate wartime needs towards addressing the long-term consequences of the conflict.

Data from Jgive reveals that between January and July 2026, mental health and PTSD campaigns received 1,165 donations, a substantial jump from 250 in the same period in 2023. In contrast, campaigns supporting soldiers and reservists saw approximately 7,400 donations, a 52% decrease from their 2024 high.

Other areas also saw increased giving. Donations for food baskets and packages rose over 70% year-over-year. Welfare, encompassing financial aid and support for the needy and elderly, received between 16,000 to 20,000 donations. Commemoration and remembrance campaigns more than tripled their donation numbers.

While the overall number of donors and donation volume have increased, the nature of giving is also evolving. The proportion of recurring donations has grown, and the median donation amount has increased. However, a significant portion of funds still comes from a small number of large donations. There has also been a sharp decrease in foreign currency donations, suggesting a stronger reliance on local donors.