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America-Israel Cultural Foundation

NEW YORK, NY · EIN 131664048 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A120 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Medium ($1M-$10M) · aicf.org
revenue
$3.2M
expenses
$3.6M
net assets
$4.9M
employees
3
program ratio
90%
mission · from form 990

THE MISSION OF THE AMERICA-ISRAEL CULTURAL FOUNDATION (AICF) IS TO SUPPORT AND DEVELOP ARTISTIC LIFE IN ISRAEL BY AWARDING SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Israel-based organization supporting emerging and mid-career artists in visual arts, music, and dance through mentorship, industry networking, and professional development. The Beyond Talent program connects artists with established figures for one-on-one sessions, offering strategic guidance on artistic identity, career sustainability, and global positioning. The initiative emphasizes community building, exposure, and project funding to advance artistic careers in Israel and internationally.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $840K
    CULTURAL ENRICHMENT GRANTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS-PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MENTORSHIP AND GUIDANCE OF VARIOUS CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS WHO BEST REPRESENT ISRAELI CULTURE INTERNATIONALLY
  2. #2 $497K
    PERFORMANCE PROJECTS-AICF INITIATES OR SUPPORTS DIFFERENT PROJECTS WHOSE AIM IS TO ASSIST AND PROMOTE YOUNG ARTISTS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THEIR EDUCATION BY HELPING THEM FIND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
named programs · 1 · from sources

What they call their work

Beyond Talent
Comprehensive artist development program offering mentorship, industry networking (1-on-1 meetings with decision-makers), enrichment events, community building, project funding, and career guidance for visual artists, musicians, and dancers in Israel
activities · 10 groups

What they do

  • Artist Support Grants 2 activities
    • Annual Artist Support
      Provides direct support to over 500 Israeli artists annually through a range of programs including scholarships, instrument access, and professional development.
    • Creative Project Funding
      Provides direct funding to support ambitious creative projects by Israeli artists, enabling innovation and public discovery of new talent.
  • Arts Education Scholarships 2 activities
    • Artist Scholarships
      Provides scholarships to early-career Israeli artists in dance, music, theater, and visual arts to support their artistic education and professional development.
    • Study Abroad Scholarships for Israeli Artists
      Provides funding and support for young Israeli artists to study at renowned institutions worldwide, including conservatories and universities, through scholarships and international study opportunities.
  • Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 2 activities
    • Free Professional Development Programs
      Operates free, application-based professional development programs for artists aged 18 and over, including limited-capacity 1:1 meetings with industry experts and feedback sessions.
    • Professional Mentorship and Career Development
      Offers one-on-one mentorship with leading industry professionals, expert-led workshops, and career development support to emerging and mid-career Israeli artists through the Beyond Talent program.
  • Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
    • Art Up Nation
      Developed and produced Art Up Nation in Chelsea, New York City, to support Israeli artists through public exhibitions and performances, particularly in response to the events of October 7.
  • Music Education Support 1 activity
    • Instrument Loan Program
      Operates a loan program providing high-quality musical instruments to promising Israeli musicians for practice, auditions, and performances.
  • Cultural Exchange and Mutual Understanding Programs 1 activity
    • International Networking and Industry Access
      Facilitates one-on-one introductions between Israeli artists and international arts decision-makers such as curators, producers, and festival programmers to create career opportunities.
  • Donor-Advised Fund Grantmaking 1 activity
    • Legacy and Donor-Advised Fund Support
      Accepts donor-advised fund contributions and appreciated stock donations designated for specific programs, and supports artist development through legacy giving.
  • Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
    • Music Education Programs in Underserved Communities
      Offers high-quality music education programs in Israel's periphery, including private lessons with leading conservatory professors, to improve access to music education for underserved populations.
  • Performing Arts Production Support 1 activity
    • Support for Major Cultural Institutions
      Provides institutional funding and support to major Israeli cultural organizations including the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the Israel Museum, the Tel-Aviv Museum of Art, and the Batsheva Dance Company.
  • Uncategorized 3 activities
    • Aviv Competitions
      Organizes and administers the annual Aviv Competitions, which award prizes to young Israeli musicians and support early-career development in various musical performance fields.
    • Global Artist Support and Outreach
      Supports Israeli artists who perform in renowned global festivals, competitions, and leading symphonies, orchestras, dance, theater, and opera companies, enhancing international presence.
    • Israeli Artist Network and Networking Events
      Creates in-person networking opportunities across artistic disciplines and maintains an online database of over 2,000 Israeli artists, receiving 300,000 annual views, to promote visibility and international outreach.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.21M
Contributions & grants$3.05M95%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$158K5%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$3.62M
Program expenses90%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$517K
Grants paid out$1.92M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$5.06M
Cash$1.09M
Investments$2.94M
Liabilities$168K
Net assets$4.89M
Liquid reserves13.3 mo
4 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -5.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
IRIS REFF RONEN CEO 50 $261K
board members · 8
  • AMYT ECKSTEIN — BOARD MEMBER
  • CAROL STARLEY — CHAPTER PRESIDE
  • JOSEPH HOLLANDER — PRESIDENT
  • JOSHUA-MARC TANENBAUM — PRESIDENT
  • JUDITH KLEBANOW — SECRETARY
  • JULIE JACOBS — TREASURER
  • KRISTINA REIKO COOPER — VICE PRESIDENT
  • SASHA BAU — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 19

Who they work with

  • Aviv Competitions Partner — Administers and supports the Aviv Competitions for young musicians
  • Batsheva Dance Company Partner — Recipient of AICF support and grant funding
  • Beyond Talent Program Partner — IAN is an initiative of the Beyond Talent Program
  • Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design Partner — Recipient of AICF support and grant funding
  • DAF Pay Partner — Payment processing partner enabling donor-advised fund donations to AICF.
  • DonateStock Partner — Partnered with AICF to facilitate the processing of stock donations.
  • Impresariat Simmenauer Partner — Former artist manager Sonia Simmenauer, associated with Impresariat Simmenauer, is hosting mentoring sessions
  • Israel Museum Partner — Hadas Nunno collaborates on the Jerusalem International Jazz Festival held at Israel Museum
  • Israel Museum Partner — Recipient of AICF support and grant funding
  • Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Partner — Recipient of AICF support and grant funding
  • Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation UK Partner — Ruth Fisher, Development Consultant for Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation UK, is participating in mentoring sessions
  • Israeli Artist Network Partner — Platform co-utilized by AICF to present Israeli artists to international audiences.
  • Israeli Artist Network (IAN) Partner — AICF's online cultural hub serving Israeli artists and art consumers worldwide.
  • Jazz FM Partner — Ruth Fisher, leading jazz radio presenter on Jazz FM, is participating in mentoring sessions
  • Muscarella Museum of Art Partner — Andrea Kleibel-Kertsman has held leadership roles with institutions including Muscarella Museum of Art
  • Sotheby’s Auction House Partner — Shirlee Klein served as an advisor to Sotheby’s Auction House, indicating a professional relationship with the organization.
  • Taichung Jazz Festival Partner — Cheng-Yu Lee, Director of Taichung Jazz Festival, is participating in mentoring sessions
  • Tel-Aviv Museum of Art Partner — Recipient of AICF support and grant funding
  • The Juilliard School Partner — Institution where AICF grant recipients serve as faculty
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.

  • Art as a Vehicle for Social and Environmental Change
    methodology: art_for_social_change
    By leveraging art’s sensory and aesthetic language, the organization strengthens public engagement to drive social and environmental change because artistic expression fosters emotional resonance and connection more effectively than informational appeals alone.
  • Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration as Creative Innovation Engine
    methodology: collaborative_innovation
    By fostering collaborations across disciplines and generations among Israeli artists, the organization inspires new creative possibilities because diverse artistic exchange catalyzes innovation beyond what isolated practice can achieve.
  • Early-Career Artist Investment with Long-Term Professionalization
    methodology: early_career_artist_investment
    By identifying and investing in exceptionally talented Israeli artists at early career stages, the organization enables long-term success because early support—combined with sustained access to resources, networks, and international opportunities—builds durable artistic careers.
  • Equity-Driven Talent Development in Underserved Communities
    methodology: equity_focused_talent_development
    By providing high-quality music education and access in underserved communities, the organization identifies and develops artistic talent regardless of socioeconomic background because removing structural barriers enables a more diverse and robust cultural ecosystem.
  • Professional Network Development as Career Catalyst
    methodology: professional_network_development
    By connecting artists with global professionals, institutions, and mentoring opportunities, the organization facilitates entry into the international arts sector because access to networks provides the professional traction that talent alone cannot secure.