The Negev Foundation

Founded 25 years ago, The Negev Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt foundation based in Cleveland, OH. Our mission is to promote initiatives that contribute to the economic, cultural, and environmental stability of Israel’s southern region, the Negev Desert. The foundation encourages replacing the current philanthropic support of this region with income derived through business, entrepreneurship, and innovations in agricultural, water, and energy research and development. This will allow Negev communities to not only be economically self-sufficient, but also to significantly contribute to the country’s economy as a whole.

Comprising over 60% of Israel’s total land mass, the Negev Desert makes up the southern two thirds of the country. This region is characterized by poor soil conditions, a harsh climate, rugged terrain, little fresh water, and a small population. For this reason, the Negev was largely ignored during modern Israel’s first few decades; however, it’s potential as a source of much needed housing, a hub of agricultural and energy research and development, and an opportunity to integrate minorities into the larger Israeli community has sparked an incredible movement to refine this region’s raw resources into elements that will strengthen Israel’s economy and Jewish community. 

Fueled by immigration, Israel’s rapidly increasing population is projected to grow by over 20% over the next nine years. With many housing markets to the north already saturated, there is simply no other option than to expand into the Negev. In fact, this expansion has already begun in the northern Negev, with new residents putting down roots and researchers and businesses setting up facilities. There are many benefits of this necessary geographical expansion, and there are challenges as well. Physical challenges include supply of fresh water, food production, and housing co­nstruction; cultural challenges center on building a sense of community and including the minority populations that have inhabited this region for generations into that community. 

Over the past two decades, the Negev Foundation has seen the incredible success of Negev pioneers in turning these challenges into opportunities. On the agricultural and water fronts, researchers have developed innovative methods of using brackish water, a plentiful resource in this region, to grow and even improve crops. Artists and regional leaders have come together to create neighborhood centers and cultivate a sense of community and Jewish culture in newly inhabited cities. Tourism has even been explored, opening an opportunity for Israelis and foreign tourists to enjoy this unique landscape. The list goes on, and we are just getting started. We hope that you will join us on our mission to foster independence and community in this budding region.