COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM

NEW YORK, NY · EIN 131790719 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE Q113 · International Affairs · Very Large (>$50M) · afmda.org
revenue
$142.3M
expenses
$105.8M
net assets
$271.8M
employees
65
program ratio
87%
mission · from form 990

SUPPORTS THE LIFE-SAVING EFFORTS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM IN ISRAEL THROUGH FUNDRAISING & ADVOCACY.

profile · synthesized from sources

American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA) supports the life-saving work of Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel's national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance, and blood services organization. AFMDA raises funds in the United States to support MDA's operations, including emergency response, blood services, and medical training. MDA serves all populations in Israel regardless of background, relying on donations to maintain its services.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Legacy Circle
Donor recognition society that includes engagement activities like an online book club for supporters
Marcus National Blood Services Center
Facility responsible for testing, processing, and distributing Israel's national blood supply and operating the Human Milk Bank
Rescue Alliance
Corporate partnership program that amplifies MDA's lifesaving work through brand collaborations and shared values
activities · 3 groups

What they do

  • Emergency Medical Response Support 8 activities
    • Emergency medical response during crises
      Supports Magen David Adom’s emergency medical services during national emergencies, including Operation Rising Lion in June 2025, and provides life-saving blood transfusions in critical cases such as postpartum hemorrhage.
    • Emergency resuscitation and pre-hospital care
      Supports emergency interventions including CPR and defibrillation by MDA teams and trained volunteers, such as reviving a 67-year-old man who collapsed and restoring the heartbeat of a 74-year-old traveler at Ben Gurion Airport using public defibrillators.
    • Facilitation of volunteer deployment for medical professionals
      Enables American Jewish medical professionals and physicians to volunteer with Magen David Adom, particularly in response to the Oct. 7 attacks, by facilitating their deployment to support emergency medical services in Israel.
    • Fundraising partnerships
      Receives 30% of proceeds from Yvel's "Shields of Light" jewelry collection to support Magen David Adom’s emergency response operations.
    • Provision of emergency medical vehicles
      Supplies and supports emergency medical vehicles including Mobile Intensive Care Units, Medicycles, all-terrain vehicles, and seambulances for use in Israel.
    • Supply of medical equipment and infrastructure support
      Provides critical medical equipment and tools for emergency operations and supports the modernization and repair of emergency medical stations and facilities in Israel.
    • Support for national blood services
      Supports Magen David Adom’s national blood services, including testing, typing, storage, and distribution of Israel’s blood supply through the Marcus National Blood Services Center, ensuring a shared blood supply system accessible to all patients regardless of identity or background.
    • Training for emergency medical responders
      Supports training programs for Magen David Adom emergency medical teams to respond to attacks, disasters, and mass-casualty emergencies, including CPR training for first responders at prison facilities.
  • Public Awareness and Educational Outreach 1 activity
    • Public engagement and storytelling
      Shares stories of Magen David Adom’s lifesaving work with U.S. audiences through publications like The Pulse, hosts survivor stories at blood donation events, and organizes private and in-person events featuring public figures such as Lior Raz and collaborations with community organizations like Congregation Brothers of Israel.
  • Annual Impact and Evaluation Reporting 1 activity
    • Publication of impact and innovation reports
      Publishes annual achievements in emergency medical care and lifesaving innovations through the MDA Impact Report.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$142.28M
Contributions & grants$129.89M91%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$16.03M11%
Other revenue$-3.64M
expenses
Total expenses$105.80M
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead6%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$9.76M
Grants paid out$83.36M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$371.10M
Cash$29.50M
Investments$299.99M
Liabilities$99.28M
Net assets$271.82M
Liquid reserves37.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -50.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 11
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
CATHERINE R REED CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 35 $482K
TAMARA H KARU SE. DIR./NATL. DIR. OF ST. PHILAN. 35 $414K
LISA MARCHITELLI CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER 35 $312K
SAM KONIG DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY 35 $298K
JANET MORGAN DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY 35 $270K
RICHARD ZELIN MIDWEST REGIONAL DIRECTOR 35 $268K
JESSICA NESSIM DIRECTOR OF MAJOR GIFTS 35 $267K
MAXINE G EPSTEIN DIRECTOR OF MAJOR GIFTS 35 $238K
MARILYN EMAS DIRECTOR, ESTATE & PLANNED GIVING 35 $216K
HEIDI P LEIN DIRECTOR OF MAJOR GIFTS 35 $207K
JONATHAN MILLER AS OF 082024 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 35 $121K
board members · 14
  • ALBERT KALIMIAN — BOARD MEMBER
  • ANN DESHE — BOARD MEMBER
  • ANN LESSER — BOARD MEMBER (THRU 12/31/2024)
  • ANNETTA WELLER EPSTEIN — BOARD MEMBER
  • BARAK RAVIV — BOARD MEMBER (AS OF 03/2024)
  • BARRY FELDMAN — SECRETARY
  • DANIEL DOBIN — VICE CHAIR
  • DANIEL SCHWARZWALDER — BOARD MEMBER
  • DAVE DIAS — BOARD MEMBER
  • DONNA FRIED CALCATERRA — BOARD MEMBER (THRU 12/31/2024)
  • FRAEDA KOPMAN — BOARD MEMBER
  • GERSHON W TRIMPOL — VICE CHAIR
  • HERBERT DONNER — BOARD MEMBER
  • ISAAC PRETTER — AUDIT CHAIR
relationships · 11

Who they work with

  • Congregation Brothers of Israel Partner — Co-hosted a private event with AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM.
  • El Al Partner — El Al ground employees serve as trained MDA volunteers and respond to emergencies at Ben Gurion Airport.
  • International Red Cross Government — Magen David Adom serves as Israel’s official representative, shaping its funding structure and operational independence.
  • Lior Raz Partner — Partnered with actor and producer Lior Raz for a series of public events.
  • Magen David Adom Partner — Partner organization through which American medical volunteers serve in Israel.
  • Magen David Adom Partner — Primary beneficiary of American Friends of Magen David Adom; receives funding to support emergency medical services in Israel.
  • Magen David Adom Partner — Primary operational partner in Israel for emergency medical services, blood supply, and disaster response.
  • Magen David Adom Partner — Supports MDA's blood services and national blood supply operations in Israel.
  • Ministry of Education Partner — Collaborated with the Ministry of Education in teaching music to at-risk youth and children on the autism spectrum.
  • World Health Organization Government — Aligns with WHO's World Blood Donor Day theme and global messaging.
  • Yvel Partner — Partner in the Rescue Alliance program, donating 30% of proceeds from its "Shields of Light" collection to support emergency response efforts.
strategies · 4

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.

  • Identity-Based Mobilization of Medical Professionals
    methodology: identity-based mobilization
    By appealing to shared cultural and religious identity, the organization engages American Jewish medical professionals in crisis response efforts, because personal connection to Israel strengthens motivation to contribute skills during emergencies.
  • Mobile-Alert Volunteer Response for Rapid Care
    methodology: mobile-alert volunteer response
    By activating trained volunteers through a mobile alert system, immediate life-saving care is delivered during emergencies, because rapid defibrillation and bystander intervention significantly increase survival rates in cardiac events.
  • Private Donor Funding to Sustain Operations
    methodology: private donor funding due to international affiliation restrictions
    By securing private donations, American Friends of Magen David Adom enables the continuation of emergency medical services in Israel, because Magen David Adom’s status as Israel’s representative to the International Red Cross prevents it from receiving government funding, necessitating alternative financial support.
  • Story-Based Engagement to Drive Participation
    methodology: story-based donor engagement
    By sharing personal stories of blood donation recipients and emergency responses, the organization inspires public awareness and donor participation, because narrative fosters emotional connection and solidarity more effectively than statistics alone.