Gal Gadot Triples Genesis Prize Funds for Israeli Mental Health Support

Actress Gal Gadot, the recipient of the 2026 Genesis Prize, has leveraged her $1 million award into a $3 million philanthropic initiative focused on mental health and rehabilitation in Israel. Through a matching donation mechanism facilitated by the Genesis Prize Foundation's network of Jewish donors, an additional $2 million was raised, bringing the total to $3 million. This sum will be distributed among 24 non-profit organizations and charities.

The funds are primarily designated for entities addressing the psychological impact of the October 7th attacks and the subsequent war. Beneficiaries include treatment professionals, bereaved families, children and teenagers, trauma survivors, medical personnel, and caregivers who have been working under immense pressure. Among the selected organizations are United Hatzalah, "Mayek O Wish Israel," CareGivers Israel, and various charities supporting bereaved families and affected communities.

The selection process, which spanned two months, saw approximately 150 applications, with 54 advancing to a later stage before the final 24 were chosen. A key requirement for organizations was to secure new donations or increase existing ones, ensuring the prize money acted as a multiplier rather than a standalone grant. This focus on mental health support comes at a time of escalating need in Israel, with the Ministry of Defense's rehabilitation department already managing tens of thousands of new war casualties, a significant portion of whom are experiencing psychological distress.

The demand for mental health and rehabilitation services is projected to exceed 90,000 individuals within the defense system alone by 2026, potentially nearing 100,000 within two years. This figure does not include evacuees, bereaved families, victims of terror, children, medical teams, and civilians who have endured prolonged periods of alerts, loss, and uncertainty. Consequently, a substantial portion of the funds is directed towards supporting the caregivers and organizations sustaining this critical infrastructure.

While the Israeli government has committed to expanding mental health and rehabilitation services, the growth in demand is outpacing available personnel and budgets. Non-profit organizations are bridging some of this gap through community-based treatment, support groups, professional training, and family assistance. Gadot was initially announced as the Genesis Prize laureate in November 2025, pledging the award to Israeli rehabilitation efforts. The matching donation mechanism was formalized in March, initially aiming to double the $1 million prize. The final outcome significantly surpassed this, with the additional funds raised being double the original prize amount, enabling the program to reach $3 million and support existing operations on the ground.