When there's an idea
We help entrepreneurs understand who the idea can help, what already exists, and how to test it in the field.
A Home for Social Entrepreneurship
Alumot is the home for social start-ups. Since 2012 we have founded and operated more than 60 innovative social ventures across Israel, helping hundreds of thousands of Israelis: people with disabilities, older adults and at-risk populations. Over 10 ventures that grew with us have spun off as leading independent nonprofits, and we see that as part of our mission.
How do we help ventures move forward?
When the venture is running
We help entrepreneurs who want to scale: raising resources, developing the business model and building partnerships.
Who provides the guidance
Volunteers with experience in social entrepreneurship and business development. They bring knowledge, questions and connections, and work with entrepreneurs on what needs to happen now.
How does the home for social start-ups work?
Many social entrepreneurs identify a need, build a solution and get to work, then get stuck in bureaucracy: registering a nonprofit, reporting requirements, and a long wait for tax-deductible donation status. Alumot bridges that gap. The entrepreneur establishes the venture inside Alumot and receives a complete organizational, financial and legal home, with no need to register a nonprofit.
Each venture runs as a closed budgetary unit: donations are received and managed within Alumot, under supervision and control, and the funds serve only the approved social purpose. Alumot is not a pass-through for donations and does not lend out its Section 46 status: the venture is part of the nonprofit's activity, under full organizational responsibility.
At any stage, a venture can spin off to independence, in whatever form it chooses. Most ventures actually choose to stay, because the shared framework keeps overhead low and lets them focus on the mission.
The nonprofit's goals, as set in its bylaws
- Advancing the rights of people with disabilities and their integration in society.
- Strengthening non-governmental organizations through training, consulting, guidance and support.
- Developing leadership and entrepreneurship among people with disabilities and underserved populations.
- Developing leadership and entrepreneurship of people and communities in the wake of the Swords of Iron war.
- Serving as a fund for social and community entrepreneurship.
The People of Alumot
The people of Alumot come from different worlds: entrepreneurship, education, technology, accessibility and business development. This is the experience each of them brings.
Management
A social entrepreneur and expert in strategy and philanthropy for social organizations. Runs Ment-Or, a venture strengthening social organizations hit by the COVID crisis.
Eli Shaharabani
CEO
An entrepreneur, lecturer and community manager, NLP facilitator with a BA in behavioral sciences. Over a decade in the nonprofit world, working with entrepreneurs.
Lilach Bitan
Entrepreneurs Coordinator
Board of Directors
A business and personal development consultant for small businesses and the self-employed, senior coach and lecturer.
Sabina Blank
Chair of the Board
A senior physician, specialist in medical genetics and pediatrics. Heads the Department of Community Genetics at the Ministry of Health; formerly chaired the Israeli Society of Clinical Genetics.
Dr. Amihud Zinger
Board member
A language editor, certified group facilitator and licensed service accessibility specialist. Coordinates projects advancing equal rights for women with disabilities.
Osnat Yehezkel-Lahat
Board member
A retired prison service commissioner, formerly head of the Prisoner Division. Lectures on prisoner rehabilitation and works in education and social action.
Eyal Gover
Board member
An entrepreneur in experience and education, focused on bringing play into learning and teaching.
Itay Beit HaLevi
Board member
The Professional Team
- Legal counsel: Adv. Shuli Weiss and Adv. Sorel Harlev of Weiss Kedar Schwartz, the firm accompanying the nonprofit and its ventures.
- Accountant: CPA Haim Wormbrand of Orlinsky Wormbrand, responsible for bookkeeping, reports and financial control.
- Internal auditor: CPA Ofer Versman.