FAQ
About "Atufim B’Ahava - ICF"
Who does the organization support?
Atufim B’Ahava – ICF provides comprehensive support and continuous guidance to 573 children and young adults (aged 0–25 on October 7, 2023) who lost one or both parents during the events of that day:
- Beneficiary Demographics: Approximately 64% were minors (ages 0–18), and 36% were young adults (ages 19–30). Around 10% of the total beneficiaries were toddlers and young children aged 0–6.
- Geographic Distribution: Roughly 65% resided in the Gaza Envelope and Southern Israel, while 35% were children and young adults whose parents were murdered at the Nova music festival, on the roads, or in other locations across the country.
(Data as of October 7th, 2023) - Dedicated Populations: Approximately 17.5% belong to the Negev Bedouin community. About 15% come from families of hostages and released captives.
- Secondary Circle: Beyond direct beneficiaries, the organization supports and guides over 200 surviving parents and legal guardians.
What is the time horizon for support, and how is it planned?
Rebuilding after loss and trauma is an ongoing, long-term journey. Atufim B’Ahava – ICF has committed to providing financial and personal support to every beneficiary until they reach the age of 30.
Our operational plan is driven by a multi-year actuarial model that maps and guarantees beneficiary needs over the next 27 years (through 2053), delivering tailored responses at every major life milestone. Our support system remains open to beneficiaries even after they turn 30.
Operational Model & Support Programs
What core areas of assistance does the organization cover?
Our assistance centers around three primary pillars, alongside dedicated personal guidance:
- Rehabilitation & Resilience Grants: Flexible funding for mental health therapies, physical rehabilitation, resilience activities, and wellness workshops
- Education & Development Grants: Funding for after-school programs, summer camps, tutoring, psychometric prep courses, vocational training, and academic scholarships.
- Milestones Grants: Financial support is given at life’s major milestones, such as birthdays, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, high school graduation, military or national service enlistment, weddings, and the birth of a first child.
To date, the organization has distributed over 3,000 grants totaling more than USD 4 million.
What makes Israeli Children’s Fund - Atufim B'Ahava's operational model unique?
Financial support is never delivered in isolation; it is integrated into a continuous, compassionate case-management model:
- Every beneficiary (or guardian, in the case of minors) is paired with a dedicated social worker from our professional staff.
- Our social workers maintain ongoing, close relationships with the families.
- This direct connection allows us to identify changing needs in real time, facilitate access to rights, and design personalized, precise support plans.
How does the organization support young adults (ages 17–30) transitioning to independence and career building?
Entering adulthood presents distinct challenges for young adults navigating parental loss. We have established two specialized tracks:
- “Bridge to Independence” (Ages 17–18): Guides teenagers preparing for high school graduation and military or national service, equipping them with practical life skills, independence, and financial literacy.
- Mentoring & Career Program (Ages 21+): Pairs young adults with leading professional mentors across various industries. Featuring a network of around 30 volunteer mentors, the program offers guidance in choosing academic paths, career development, entrepreneurship, and smart financial management.
How does the organization offer culturally adapted support to the Negev Bedouin community?
Approximately 17.5% of our beneficiaries belong to the Negev Bedouin community. To ensure full access to rights and tailored support, we created a dedicated track run by community coordinators from within the Bedouin community, delivering guidance and services directly in Arabic.
State Framework, Government Support & Organizational Distinction
Why is philanthropic support needed alongside government assistance?
The State of Israel provides stipends and assistance to civilian families who lost loved ones. However, these resources cannot fully cover the long-term financial and emotional impact:
- Approximately 80% of the murdered parents were the primary breadwinners in their households.
- Many surviving parents have been unable to return to the workforce.
- State stipends do not cover major life milestones, long-term financial coaching, or individualized case management.
Atufim B’Ahava’s support aims to bridge these critical gaps.
How does Atufim B’Ahava - ICF differ from other organizations supporting October 7th orphans?
Atufim B’Ahava – ICF serves all 573 children and young adults who have lost either one or both parents. Other organizations focus exclusively on children who lost both parents (who represent 7.5% of Atufim B’Ahava’s overall beneficiary group).
How does the organization assist families in accessing their rights?
We operate as an institutional knowledge hub for our families. Our team works in direct collaboration with bodies such as the War Orphans Forum, the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization, and the Organization for Victims of Hostilities. Our social workers help families first maximize their full legal rights from state institutions and National Insurance (Bituach Leumi). Israeli Children’s Fund – Atufim B’Ahava’s grants serve as a complementary, empowering layer that covers remaining gaps.
Transparency, Budget & Financial Management
How are decisions made regarding grant allocations?
With the help of the dedicated social worker, the beneficiary files a grant request. Every grant request is reviewed by a professional Grants Committee that convenes every 6 to 7 weeks. The committee evaluates each request against structured criteria. Once approved, funds are transferred directly to the beneficiary or to their parent/guardian if the beneficiary is a minor.
How is the budget allocated, and what is the G&A expense ratio?
We are committed to maximizing resources for direct beneficiary impact:
- 91% of the organization’s budget directly funds grants, programs, and professional support for children and young adults.
- Only 9% is allocated to resource development and operational infrastructure necessary to execute the grant system safely and transparently (including legal counsel, auditing, and compliance).
What is the long-term financial strategy, and how is its stability ensured?
To honor our multi-year commitment to all 573 beneficiaries through 2053, Atufim B’Ahava – ICF has raised to date over $21 million from foundations, Jewish federations, corporate partners, and individual donors. The organization is actively seeking additional funding, as current resources do not yet cover the long-term support required for each beneficiary through age 30.
How are the organization's funds managed and invested?
Financial management is guided by an investment policy established by a professional Investment Committee that meets quarterly. Chaired by Dr. Samer Haj-Yehia and approved by the Israeli Children’s Fund – Atufim B’Ahava’s Board of Directors, this framework ensures the organization continuously meets its multi-year actuarial obligations.
What regulatory approvals and transparency measures are in place?
Atufim B’Ahava – ICF operates under strict corporate governance and transparency standards:
- Active Board of Directors: Composed of our founders from the tech and finance sectors, convening at least 5 times a year.
- Certificate of Proper Management (Nihul Takin): Issued by the Registrar of Companies and Non-Profits at the Ministry of Justice.
- Section 46A: Holds tax-exempt status for donations under Section 46A of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance.
- International Recognition: U.S. 501(c)(3) tax-exempt equivalency.
- Full Transparency: All audited financial statements are publicly accessible on GuideStar.