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AMERICANS FOR BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 237270753 · Form 990 · FY2023 · NTEE B110 · Education · Very Large (>$50M) · americansforbgu.org
revenue
$74.0M
expenses
$69.0M
net assets
$839.8M
employees
46
volunteers
55
program ratio
88%
mission · from form 990

AMERICANS FOR BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OR "A4BGU" PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN CREATING A WORLD CLASS UNIVERSITY IN THE ISRAELI DESERT.

profile · synthesized from sources

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) is a research-intensive Israeli university focused on advancing science, technology, and social development in the Negev region. It integrates academic excellence with community engagement, supporting underprivileged populations including Bedouin and immigrant communities. The university drives innovation in desert agriculture, water sustainability, cybersecurity, and alternative energy.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $1.64M
    RAISING AWARENESS & EDUCATION PROGRAM: A4BGU RAISES AWARENESS IN THE U.S. TO POTENTIAL DONORS ABOUT BGU AND THE NEGEV REGION IN GENERAL. A4BGU ALSO EDUCATES CURRENT AND POTENTIAL DONORS ON VARIOUS RESEARCH AND COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVES CONDUCTED BY THE UNIVERSITY, AS WELL AS THE NEGEV REGION IN GENERAL. A4BGU SHOWCASES BGU'S ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH TO INDIVIDUALS, FOUNDATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE MEDIA THROUGH VARIOUS ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, EVENTS, AND INFORMATIVE DIGITAL AND PRINT COMMUNICATIONS FEATURING BGU'S WORLD-RENOWNED RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.
  2. #2 $203K
    ZIN FELLOWS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM: THE A4BGU ZIN FELLOWS PROGRAM IS AN INSPIRING AND TRANSFORMATIVE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUTSTANDING AMERICANS IN THEIR 30S-50S. THE EIGHTEEN MONTH PROGRAM CONSISTS OF TWO IN-PERSON GATHERINGS IN THE UNITED STATES FOLLOWED BY AN IMMERSIVE ISRAEL EXPERIENCE. ZIN FELLOWS REPRESENT THE BEST OF THE BEST IN TERMS OF THE NEXT GENERATION. THEY ARE CURRENT AND FUTURE AMERICAN COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN UNDERSTANDING THE UNIQUE ROLE BGU PLAYS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEGEV AND THE FUTURE OF ISRAEL.
named programs · 8 · from sources

What they call their work

Barvaz Theater Group
Teenagers create and perform original plays addressing social issues such as drugs, family breakdown, and delinquency in Negev high schools.
Canine Companions Program
Students raise and socialize Labrador puppies for Israel’s Guide Dog Center, training them to become guide dogs for the visually impaired.
Ilan Ramon Youth Physics Center
Offers advanced physics education and hands-on learning to approximately 10,000 high school students from across the Negev region.
Kidumatica Youth Mathematics Forum
Math enrichment program for mathematically talented middle and high school students from underprivileged homes in the Negev.
Newstart Program
Enables adults to complete high school education, improve Hebrew, and learn English to break the cycle of poverty.
Perach Tutoring Project
One-on-one tutoring program pairing BGU students with 3rd through 12th graders from underprivileged backgrounds for four hours weekly; participants receive tuition assistance.
Robert H. Arnow Center for Bedouin Studies and Development
Provides academic support, counseling, and scholarships to Bedouin students at BGU to improve retention and graduation rates.
Sparks of Science Program
Academic enrichment in natural sciences for youth of Ethiopian origin.
activities · 9 groups

What they do

  • Biomedical Research and Innovation 1 activity
    • Conducts multidisciplinary research in strategic fields
      Engages in research across cyber and homeland security, alternative energy, desert and water management, global health, medical technologies, high-tech and robotics, Israel studies, and Jewish thought. Specific projects include tire-to-liquid-fuel technology, pico-satellite development for national security, agricultural robotics, and breakthroughs in diabetes treatment using alpha1-antitrypsin.
  • Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
    • Delivers academic and community education programs in the Negev
      Provides physics and math education to approximately 10,000 high school and middle school students annually in the Negev region through hands-on learning and enrichment programs. Also operates a tutoring program pairing university students with K–12 students for weekly academic support.
  • Israel and Jewish Heritage Educational Travel 1 activity
    • Hosts educational and community events in the U.S. and Israel
      Organizes public events in the United States and Israel to promote Ben-Gurion University, including lectures, gatherings, and cultural programs such as “Beyond Start-up Nation,” “David Ben-Gurion: A Personal Story,” and the BGU Global Community and Board of Governors Gathering.
  • Public Awareness and Educational Outreach 1 activity
    • Promotes BGU through communications and outreach
      Conducts educational programs, events, and digital and print communications to promote Ben-Gurion University’s faculty, research, and mission to U.S. and international audiences.
  • Alumni Community Building 1 activity
    • Provides campus and visitor services
      Offers free, pre-arranged campus tours to visitors through the Visitors Unit and supports alumni engagement, such as Dr. Daniel Elbo Arama, who apply their BGU education in emergency response and medical practice.
  • Study Abroad and Global Immersion Programs 1 activity
    • Provides international student programs and services
      Offers a six-week Hebrew immersion course (Ulpan) for international students and English-taught academic courses in Jewish and Israel studies, environmental science, global health, political science, and other disciplines. Also provides special semester-long academic tracks in Global Health, Sustainable Development, Israel Studies, and Entrepreneurship and Innovation, along with volunteer opportunities in the local community.
  • Support for Israeli Educational Institutions 1 activity
    • Strengthens U.S.-based fundraising and institutional partnerships
      Raises funds and strengthens donor relationships for Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in the United States through professional representatives across the country. Plays a role in transforming Beer-Sheva into a high-tech center through participation in CyberSpark, a public-private partnership for cybersecurity development.
  • Financial Aid and Scholarship Access Programs 1 activity
    • Supports student success and inclusion at BGU
      Offers academic and financial support to Bedouin students, including tutoring, counseling, and tuition assistance. More than one-third of BGU students are enrolled in advanced degree programs, and over 40% of undergraduates participate in local community volunteering.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Operates and maintains university campuses
      Manages the Marcus Family Campus at the northern entrance of Beer-Sheva and the Sde Boker Campus located 30 miles south near David Ben-Gurion's gravesite. Also operates the Ilan Ramon Youth Physics Center and Wadi Mashash experimental farm, where olive trees are planted.
financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$73.96M
Contributions & grants$44.31M60%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$29.95M41%
Other revenue$-303K
expenses
Total expenses$69.05M
Program expenses88%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$7.18M
Grants paid out$55.06M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$878.14M
Cash$13.08M
Investments$815.24M
Liabilities$38.36M
Net assets$839.78M
Liquid reserves144.0 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +249.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023

Who runs it

paid leadership · 7
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
DOUGLAS SESERMAN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 40 $772K
KEREN WARANCH CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER 40 $324K
ARI STEINBERG PHILANTHROPIC RELATIONSHIP OFFICER 40 $307K
ANDREW HOFFER PHILANTHROPIC RELATIONSHIP OFFICER 40 $278K
TIMOTHY GREENE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 40 $258K
NNEKA MCPHEE CHIEF OF STAFF & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES 40 $254K
CLAIRE WINICK PHILANTHROPIC RELATIONSHIP OFFICER 40 $225K
board members · 18
  • ANDREA GOREN — VICE CHAIR
  • BATHSHEVA RIFKIN — BOARD MEMBER
  • CAROL SAAL — BOARD MEMBER
  • CINDY INGERMAN BALICK — BOARD MEMBER
  • CRAIG GRANOWITZ — BOARD MEMBER
  • CRAIG SIMON — BOARD MEMBER
  • DANNA SLUSKY — BOARD MEMBER
  • DAVID BRESLAUER — BOARD MEMBER
  • DAVID WAGONFELD — TREASURER
  • DONNA LAM — BOARD MEMBER
  • ELIZABETH GRZEBINSKI — BOARD MEMBER
  • ELLEN MARCUS — SECRETARY
  • ERNEST SIMON — BOARD MEMBER
  • ESTHER FOER — BOARD MEMBER
  • FRANK PARLATO — BOARD MEMBER
  • GARY DEBODE — CHAIR
  • HUNTER REISNER — BOARD MEMBER
  • ILANA SUBAR — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 21

Who they work with

  • American Eco-Energy Partner — Collaborating on development of tire-to-liquid-fuel technology
  • Ben-Gurion Research Institute for the Study of Israel and Zionism Partner — Hosted on BGU's Sde Boker Campus, focusing on the study of Israel and Zionism.
  • Ben-Gurion University Partner — Primary academic institution supported through events and outreach
  • Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Partner — AMERICANS FOR BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY facilitates visits to and promotes Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
  • Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Partner — Administers the Ginsburg-Ingerman Overseas Student Program for international study abroad students.
  • Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Partner — Collaborates to plant olive trees at Wadi Mashash, its experimental farm.
  • Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Partner — Primary institution supported by Americans for Ben-Gurion University.
  • Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Partner — Primary institutional partner in advancing research and education in the Negev region.
  • Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Partner — Primary institutional partner supported by Americans for Ben-Gurion University.
  • Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Partner — Primary institutional partner; A4BGU supports its mission, research, and development in the Negev.
  • CyberSpark Partner — Joint venture between BGU, the Israeli government, and private industry to advance cybersecurity research and development.
  • Deutsche Telekom Partner — Collaborates with BGU through presence in Beer-Sheva’s Advanced Technologies Park.
  • EMC Partner — Collaborates with BGU through presence in Beer-Sheva’s Advanced Technologies Park.
  • Egged Bus Service Partner — Provides bus service to Beer-Sheva, with stops near BGU's Marcus Family Campus.
  • Hewlett Packard Partner — Collaborates with BGU through presence in Beer-Sheva’s Advanced Technologies Park.
  • Israel Railways Partner — Provides train service to the Beer-Sheva North/University Train Station adjacent to BGU's Marcus Family Campus.
  • Israeli government Government — Jointly established CyberSpark, a national cybersecurity hub, with BGU and private industry.
  • Israel’s Guide Dog Center Partner — Collaborates with BGU’s Canine Companions program to train guide dogs.
  • Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research Partner — Located on BGU's Sde Boker Campus, conducting internationally recognized desert research.
  • Oracle Partner — Collaborates with BGU through presence in Beer-Sheva’s Advanced Technologies Park.
  • The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research Partner — Displays donor and honoree names on a plaque for gifts of $5,000 or more.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Awareness to Fundraising through Narrative and Excellence
    methodology: awareness-to-fundraising
    By promoting BGU’s research, academic excellence, and historical legacy, the organization builds awareness and relationships that convert into financial support, because compelling narratives of innovation and impact inspire donor investment.
  • Education Integrated with Community and Service
    methodology: education-for-practice
    By embedding community service and real-world practice into student education, the university strengthens learning and civic responsibility, because experiential engagement deepens skill development and fosters lasting commitment to social impact.
  • Immersive Engagement to Drive Support
    methodology: immersive_engagement
    By exposing stakeholders to campus life, research, and students through immersive experiences, the organization builds emotional connection and sustained support, because firsthand engagement deepens understanding and commitment more than information alone.
  • Multidisciplinary Research for Global Challenges
    methodology: multidisciplinary_research
    By integrating expertise across academic disciplines, the university solves complex global problems more effectively, because collaborative research generates innovative, holistic solutions that single-domain approaches cannot.
  • Regional Development Engine
    methodology: regional_development_engine
    By establishing a major research university in Israel’s Negev region, the organization drives regional growth and social equity, because access to higher education and research opportunities attracts talent, fosters innovation, and strengthens local communities.