A strong fundament for a thriving Arab civil society
Maddad Foundation
Maddad Foundation advances the resilience of Arab society in Israel and the Palestinian Authority by building the capacity of Arab civil society organizations, investing in projects with growth potential, cooperating closely with other philanthropic actors, and strengthening and leveraging a professional donor base within Arab society and its business sectors.
Background
In 2022, we founded the Maddad Foundation (from Arabic, meaning “Infinite Giving”) to advance Arab civil society infrastructure, believing that Arab society in Israel and the Palestinian Authority must re-take ownership of its destiny.
Meaningful philanthropy has three intertwined elements: a dynamic civil society, a vibrant private sector, and an enabling institutional framework. Unfortunately, Arab society in Israel and the Palestinian Authority only partially possess these elements. Though philanthropy could greatly benefit Arab civil society, its organizations, at large, lack the capacity and infrastructure to attract and absorb investments. They receive only a negligible share of the funds invested in their fields of activity. At the same time, Arab-society-led philanthropic activities remain unable to address the pressing systemic needs within their society.
Vision
We envision a future where Arab society in Israel and the Palestinian Authority shape their own destiny through a thriving civil society and a vibrant private sector supported by an enabling institutional framework. We aim to catalyze a transformation through strategic philanthropy, fostering resilience, self-sufficiency, and socio-economic progress within Arab society.
Mission
We cultivate a dynamic philanthropic ecosystem that empowers Arab civil society organizations in Israel and the Palestinian Authority to address systemic challenges and seize growth opportunities. By investing in capacity-building, fostering partnerships, and engaging a broad base of professional donors from Arab society, Maddad strives to strengthen the third sector, enabling Arab society to reclaim ownership of its destiny.
We familiarize our civil society partners with operational mechanisms in the philanthropic landscape. Specifically, we assist them with due diligence, financial management and planning, government and public relations, social entrepreneurship in an organizational setting, and volunteerism.
What we do
1
Invest
We strategically invest in projects with growth potential within Arab civil society organizations. We provide financial support and capacity-building to empower these organizations for current and future impact, fostering positive change in Arab communities.
2
Partner
Collaborating with foundations, businesses, and individuals, we pool resources to invest collectively in calls for proposals from public and private philanthropic sources. Our goal is to maximize impact through strategic partnerships and explore co-funding opportunities.
3
Leverage
We leverage an Arab small donor base through crowdfunding and educational sessions. Simultaneously, we work with the business community to enhance the professionalism of their philanthropic efforts. This dual strategy strengthens the third sector and empowers change agents in Arab society.
Our programs
PANDO International Creative Platform
Pando is an international network of creatives and female-led collectives amplified by its members and through capacity building and knowledge exchange. The network’s online platform connects conscious consumers to ethical products and experiences. By engaging women from the Arab society in Israel and the Palestinian Authority alongside peers from East Africa, South-East Asia, and South America around traditional and contemporary crafts and sustainable women livelihoods, Pando fosters cultural dialogue, advances economic integration, and paves the way for a peaceful Middle East.
OUR PARTNER
Arab society inclusion in high-level health professions
In partnership with the Arab Doctors’ Association, Maddad provides comprehensive training programs for Arab medical students to overcome educational gaps and succeed in their studies and careers.
Economic integration through second careers
In cooperation with the VeHadarta association, Maddad invests in the workforce reintegration of Arab senior citizens of Israel by facilitating connections between job seekers aged 50+ and employers, maintaining an online platform, and providing a comprehensive envelope of accompanying services.
OUR PARTNER
Holistic support for Arab higher education students
Maddad assists an enterprise of Arab civil society activists in building their infrastructure and organizational capacity for establishing a call center for Arab students in Israeli higher education. Since December 2023, the call center provides psychological support to students facing emotional tension and anxiety during Operation “Iron Swords” and contributes to their wellbeing and retention.
Proactively shaping media narratives during crises
In collaboration with the Beyachad Foundation, Maddad works with Arab professionals to increase their representation in Israeli media outlets and build trust between population groups during a period of heightened tension. In November 2023, a first cohort completed their training and entered the relevant databases. A comprehensive support infrastructure assists participants to remain in contact with media outlets.
OUR PARTNER
Who are we?
A committed and diverse team.
Board members
Ayman Samara
Maddad Foundation founder and chairman, CEO and owner of Samara Group
Ayman is a successful business leader and strategic marketing consultant with over twenty years of experience in the business and communications sectors. He holds a BSc in Business Administration and currently serves as the CEO and business owner of Samara Group. Beyond his business leadership, Ayman is also a sought-after lecturer and has taught courses in marketing, senior management, the Arab business sector, conflict mediation, and social media strategy. In 2022, he founded the Maddad Foundation to advance Arab civil society infrastructure in Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Tareq Awad
Maddad Foundation board member, consultant, and energy sector specialist
Tareq is a business consultant with over twenty years of managerial experience in the energy sector. He holds a gas engineer certificate, a BA in business administration, and various training credentials. He is a gas industry specialist and Middle East expert. Today, he consults leading energy companies in business development, market research, and strategic partnerships. As a Maddad board member, Tareq contributes his profound experience in partnerships, multiculturalism, and complex negotiations.
Michal Bruck
Maddad Foundation board member, CEO of NALA Foundation
Michal is a manager with over twenty-five years of experience in the not-for-profit sector. She holds an MBA and an LLB and currently serves as the CEO of NALA, an international NGO preventing neglected tropical diseases. Previously, Michal worked at the WFP, and she continues to consult international organizations such as UNICEF, UNHCR, and IFRC. During international crises, she participates in the humanitarian logistics cluster. As a Maddad board member, Michal contributes her deep knowledge of the not-for-profit sector, formulating clear strategies and creating synergies with other civil society actors.
Paz Hirschmann
Maddad Foundation board member, manager of the Kfar Qasem municipality
Paz is a management practitioner with over twenty years of experience in public administration, technology, and civil society. He holds an MA in History and an MSc in Management and is a graduate of the Mandel Foundation’s School of Educational Leadership. He currently serves as the general manager of the Kfar Qasem Municipality. As part of his civic engagement, he was the co-CEO of Tsofen and joined the founding teams of Code for Israel and Maddad Foundation. As a Maddad board member, Paz contributes his experience in partnerships and economic development.
Ahmad Amer
Maddad Foundation board member, advocate and financial reporter
Ahmad’s legal career began in the military prosecutor’s office and continued as a senior legal advisor in the energy sector. He also held leadership roles in the Ministry of Energy, the Government Tourism Company, and a fund for discharged soldiers. Today, Ahmad is a fellow at the Mandel Center for Leadership in the North. As part of his civic engagement, he entered the leadership team of the Fourth Quarter movement for an inclusive democratic model for Israel and joined the Maddad Foundation board to mobilize funds for Arab civil society organizations.
Ali Waked
Maddad Foundation board member, head of Arabic channel at I24NEWS
Ali is a journalist with over twenty years of experience with the largest media outlets in Israel. He holds a BA in the history of the Middle East and currently serves as the head of the Arabic channel at i24news, where he brings discussions on burning regional issues to audiences in the Arab world. Additionally, several of his movie scripts have attracted international attention and received awards, such as Bethlehem. As part of his civic engagement, he volunteers in organizations related to at-risk youth and shared society.
Latest updates
SVF Visit to Maddad Foundation
A delegation of the Social Venture Fund for Jewish-Arab Equality and Shared Society (SVF) visited ou…
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Contact us
Giving is not about how much you have, but about the compassion and willingness to share what you possess with those in need.
Ali ibn Abi Talib
Donate
Thank you for choosing to partner with the Maddad Foundation and invest in a strong fundament for a thriving Arab civil society in Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Your support builds the capacity of Arab civil society organizations and actors to re-take ownership of their destiny.
International bank transfers:
| Account holder | Maddad |
| IBAN | IL180121700000000210697 |
| SWIFT | POALILIT |
Bank transfers from Israel:
| Account holder | מדד – משאבים, פיתוח ומקצועיות לחברה הערבית |
| Bank | 12 (Bank Hapoalim) |
| Branch | 170 |
| Account number | 210697 |
Send cheques to our office:
| Maddad Foundation |
| Ben Gurion Boulevard 41 |
| 3505526 Haifa, Israel |
Partners
