Friends of the Israel Defense Forces
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES (FIDF) PROVIDES CRITICAL SUPPORT FOR THE HEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND EDUCATION OF ISRAEL'S PROTECTORS.
- Income
- $187.5 million
- Spending
- $141.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 7.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
- Employees
- 173
- Volunteers
- 580
- Highest pay
- $699,943, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (international, over $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 21% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 33% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (international, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2559 of 59 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Reports results. Its tax return states measurable results. These are its own figures and nobody has checked them.
Results it reports
- Financial assistance was provided to approximately 10,000 soldiers.Work delivered
- Soldier needs were sponsored in 27 adopted brigades, benefiting over 80,000 soldiers.Work delivered
- Well-being activities were sponsored for 93 adopted battalions, over 40,000 soldiers.Work delivered
- Spiritual and heritage articles and activities reached over 24,000 soldiers.Work delivered
- Over 4,000 lone soldiers were assisted.Work delivered
- 45 weeks of Recharge Weeks programs were sponsored for about 41,000 soldiers.Work delivered
- 3,431 scholarships were funded in the academic year.Work delivered
- Approximately 33,000 soldiers participated in educational and training activities.Work delivered
Read from the return by an AI model and shown only where the wording was found in the return. These are the charity's own figures.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $56.5 million spent. WELL-BEING PROGRAMS FINANCIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS FIDF AIMS TO ALLEVIATE SOLDIERS' FINANCIAL STRESS, ECONOMIC INSECURITY, OR ANXIETY REGARDING FINANCIAL MATTERS. AMONG THESE PROGRAMS: 1) GENERAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT INCLUDES PROVISION OF CASH SUBSIDIES, HOLIDAY GIFT PACKAGES, FOOD VOUCHERS, AND OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SOLDIERS AND RESERVISTS' FAMILIES. IN 2024, FIDF PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY $5.8 MILLION IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO APPROXIMATELY 10,000 SOLDIERS. 2) THE ADOPT A BRIGADE PROGRAM CONNECTS A DONOR TO A BRIGADE OF CHOICE TO PROVIDE ITS SOLDIERS WITH MULTI-FACETED FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO BENEFIT THEIR WELFARE AND WELL-BEING. SPECIAL EMPHASIS IS GIVEN TO LONE SOLDIERS, WHO SERVE WITH NO IMMEDIATE FAMILY IN ISRAEL TO RELY UPON, AND TO SOLDIERS FROM LOW SOCIO-ECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS. IN 2024, FIDF PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY $6.6 MILLION TO SPONSOR SOLDIER NEEDS IN THE 27 BRIGADES ADOPTED BY FIDF, AMOUNTING TO OVER 80,000 SOLDIERS BENEFITING FROM OUR SUPPORT. 3) THE ADOPT A BATTALION PROGRAM PROVIDES YEAR-LONG RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR DESIGNATED BATTALIONS THAT ARE PAIRED WITH DONORS. IN 2024, FIDF PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY $2.2 MILLION TO SPONSOR WELL-BEING ACTIVITIES FOR THE 93 BATTALIONS ADOPTED BY FIDF (OVER 40,000 SOLDIERS). SPIRITUAL AND HERITAGE PROGRAMS THESE INITIATIVES BRING ISRAEL'S HISTORIC JUDAIC ROOTS, CULTURE, AND TRADITIONS TO ISRAEL'S DEFENDERS. WE OFFER COMFORTING SUPPORT TO THOSE WHO SEEK IT, RANGING FROM TANGIBLE MATERIALS TO MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES AND COURSES. IN 2024, FIDF PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY $0.9 MILLION TO SPONSOR SUCH ARTICLES AND ACTIVITIES AND TOUCHED THE LIVES OF OVER 24,000 SOLDIERS. CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN ADDITION TO CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS DEDICATED TO PTSD AND MENTAL HEALTH (SEE ABOVE), FIDF HELPS PROVIDE A "HOME AWAY FROM HOME" FOR SOLDIERS BY SPONSORING THE CONSTRUCTION, REFURBISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF RECREATION AND SPORTS CENTERS, CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES, SYNAGOGUES, MEMORIAL ROOMS, AUDITORIUMS, AND SOLDIER RECREATIONAL HOMES THROUGHOUT ISRAEL. THESE FACILITIES RANGE FROM INDIVIDUAL STRUCTURES TO LARGE WELL-BEING COMPLEXES. FIDF ALSO SPONSORS THE CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION OF SMALLER PROJECTS AND SEMI-PERMANENT FACILITIES, SUCH AS SOCIAL CLUBS AND SYNAGOGUES. IN 2024, FIDF PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY $23.1 MILLION FOR THESE PROJECTS, WHICH INCLUDED A $1.2 MILLION DECREASE IN GRANTS PAYABLE FROM 2023. SUPPORT FOR LONE SOLDIERS FIDF'S LONE SOLDIER PROGRAM OFFERS SUPPORT TO THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN ACTIVELY SERVING IN THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES WITH NO IMMEDIATE FAMILY IN ISRAEL TO RELY UPON DURING THEIR MILITARY SERVICE. IN ADDITION TO A RANGE OF SERVICES THAT PROVIDE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, FIDF SPONSORS FLIGHTS HOME, ENABLING THEM TO VISIT THEIR FAMILIES IN THEIR HOME COUNTRIES DURING THEIR PERIOD OF SERVICE. IN 2024, FIDF PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY $5.7 MILLION TO ASSIST OVER 4,000 LONE SOLDIERS.
- $34.7 million spent. HEALTH PROGRAMS PTSD AND MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH ITS DIRECT FUNDING AND PROGRAM PARTNERSHIPS, FIDF IS DRIVING THE CREATION OF AN INTEGRATED NEW SYSTEM OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR SOLDIERS, RESERVISTS, VETERANS, AND THEIR FAMILIES ACROSS ISRAEL. 1) CONSTRUCTION FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH IS PROVIDED FOR FACILITIES DEDICATED TO TREATMENT FOR PTSD AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES FOR SOLDIERS, VETERANS, AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. IN 2024, FIDF PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY $41.5 MILLION FOR SUCH PROJECTS, WHICH INCLUDED A $33.6 MILLION INCREASE IN GRANTS PAYABLE FROM 2023. 2) PTSD THERAPY INCLUDES CARE AND SERVICES PROVIDED TO SOLDIERS SUCH AS SCREENING, THERAPY AND OTHER TREATMENTS. IN 2024, FIDF PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY $11.3 MILLION FOR THESE SERVICES. 3) RECHARGE WEEKS IS A WEEK-LONG PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES SOLDIERS WITH BADLY NEEDED REST AND RELAXATION AND THE CHANCE TO PROCESS THEIR EXPERIENCES, GET ESSENTIAL SERVICES INCLUDING EARLY DETECTION SCREENING FOR PTSD, PHYSICAL THERAPY, AND DENTAL AND GROOMING SERVICES. THE PROGRAM TAKES PLACE AT THE RECREATION VILLAGE IN ASHKELON, WHICH IS FULLY EQUIPPED WITH LODGING AND DINING FACILITIES, SWIMMING POOL, FITNESS ROOM, AND OTHER AMENITIES. IN 2024, FIDF PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY $3.0 MILLION FOR SUCH ACTIVITIES, SPONSORING 45 WEEKS OF SUCH PROGRAMS FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT 41,000 SOLDIERS. WOUNDED SOLDIER AND BEREAVED FAMILY PROGRAMS FIDF PROVIDES GRANTS, SUPPLIES, AND GIFT CARDS, AS WELL AS SPONSORS EVENTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF WOUNDED SOLDIERS. THESE GRANTS AND PROGRAMS ALLOW FOR THESE BRAVE WOUNDED WARRIORS TO CONCENTRATE MORE FULLY ON THEIR PHYSICAL REHABILITATION AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENTS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO SUPPORTS THE BEREAVED FAMILIES OF FALLEN SOLDIERS, GIVING SOLDIERS PEACE OF MIND TO KNOW THEIR FAMILIES WILL BE CARED FOR SHOULD SOMETHING ULTIMATELY HAPPEN TO THEM. THIS ALLOWS THESE SOLDIERS TO BETTER FOCUS ON THEMSELVES AS WELL AS ON THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS DURING THEIR SERVICE. IN 2024, FIDF PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY $8.7 MILLION FOR THESE VARIOUS SERVICES AND EVENTS.
- $22.4 million spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IMPACT! SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FIDF'S IMPACT! SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM GRANTS FULL FOUR-YEAR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION TO ISRAELI COMBAT OR COMBAT-SUPPORT SOLDIERS FROM DISADVANTAGED SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR MILITARY SERVICE. DONORS ARE PAIRED WITH PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS, ENABLING THEM TO BUILD PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WHICH OFTEN LAST BEYOND THE COMPLETION OF THE RECIPIENT'S STUDIES. EACH SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE 130 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE EVERY YEAR DURING THE FULL TERM OF THE SCHOLARSHIP, CHOOSING FROM ONE OF THE 24 ORGANIZATIONS THAT FIDF PARTNERS WITH, EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES. IN THE 2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR, FIDF FUNDED 3,431 SCHOLARSHIPS. IN 2024, FIDF GRANTED APPROXIMATELY $17.2 MILLION IN TOTAL SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE FOR PORTIONS OF THE 2023-2024 AND 2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEARS. EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING PROGRAMS IN 2024, FIDF SPONSORED APPROXIMATELY $3.9 MILLION FOR A RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT SOLDIERS AT EVERY STAGE OF THEIR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. THESE INITIATIVES HELP ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO HIGHER EDUCATION OR DIRECTLY INTO THE WORKFORCE. OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, DISCUSSION GROUPS, AND FIELD TRIPS THAT ASSIST NEW IMMIGRANT SOLDIERS IN THEIR ASSIMILATION PROCESS TO LIFE IN ISRAEL, MENTORSHIP AND SUPPORT SOLDIERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, AND OTHER ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT PROMOTE LEARNING, GROWTH, AND LONG-TERM SUCCESS. APPROXIMATELY 33,000 SOLDIERS PARTICIPATED IN SUCH ACTIVITIES.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1983.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
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