Israel Rises: Aid platform launched to coordinate volunteer efforts

Israel’s current extraordinary crisis has led to the creation of numerous collaborations between governmental, corporate, and volunteer organizations hoping to alleviate some of the pain that the nation is currently suffering. However, the grassroots nature of many of these initiatives has led to overlaps, blind spots, inefficiencies and even instances of fraud.

In order to address this issue, a centralized coordination platform, Israel Rises, has been launched. The platform is designed to address these issues by bringing together various stakeholders in a coordinated and strategic manner. It connects the financial and strategic resources of the private sector and philanthropic organizations with the social needs on the ground.

Israel Rises works in collaboration with the IDF Home Front Command's "Center for Civil Assistance" and local government authorities to identify and prioritize the most pressing needs. By working closely with these government entities, the platform ensures that its efforts are aligned with the broader national response strategy.

Additionally, the site provides a designated section for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to list their specific needs. This inclusion ensures that even smaller, grassroots organizations can have their initiatives recognized and supported, fostering a more inclusive approach to crisis management.

Crucially, Israel Rises is updated daily based on information provided by the IDF Home Front Command's Center for Civil Assistance, local municipalities, and the NGO community. This real-time information helps ensure that resources are directed to where they are needed most, preventing unnecessary overlaps and addressing blind spots in the response effort. The platform's dynamic nature allows it to adapt rapidly to changing circumstances, making it a flexible and efficient tool in managing the crisis.

Platform coordinates about 650,000 total volunteers

The Israel Rises initiative operates through five collaborative teams responsible for coordinating with the IDF, central government bodies, municipalities, regional councils, and civil society. In total, the platform coordinates the efforts of 23 government ministries, approximately 650,000 volunteers, 600,000 corporate and high-tech businesses, 90 local Israeli philanthropic foundations, 450 private philanthropists globally, 259 municipalities, and 54 regional councils.

Israel Rises was developed by Cisco and represents a joint effort between the IDF Home Front Command, Business Roundtable Israel (a project of "The Presidency of the Business Sector in Israel"), The Jewish Funders Network, The Forum of Foundations in Israel, Israel Advanced Technology Industries (IATI), Deloitte Israel, The Israel National Lottery, The Federation of Local Authorities in Israel, The Federation of Local Councils in Israel, The Israeli Volunteering Council, and The Israeli Civic Leadership Association, the umbrella organization of the third sector in Israel.

 "This is a beautiful moment for Israeli society and the Jewish people, for the philanthropic community and the business community,” said Einat Zinger Dan, Head of the Israeli Desk of national assistance center and CEO at The Business roundtable Israel. “Together, we can strengthen our unity as a society and provide the necessary support, both in the immediate and long term."