The Home for Social Start-Ups

Where does your venture stand today?

Even an idea that doesn't have a name yet is a beginning. Alumot welcomes entrepreneurs at the earliest stages, with no need for prior fundraising or proof of feasibility, as well as running ventures looking for an organizational home. Tell us what you're building and where you'd like help.

What do you get at Alumot?

We take on the bureaucracy and the organizational envelope, so you can focus on what really matters: the venture and the social change.

Organizational and financial home

  • Full financial management: bookkeeping, CPA, reports, supplier payments and an ERP system for cash-flow and budget tracking.
  • Tax-deductible donations: in Israel (Section 46), in the US (via PEF) and in other countries (via JGIVE).
  • Crowdfunding campaigns via JGIVE or Headstart, connected directly to the nonprofit.
  • Nonprofit administration: board, protocols, certifications, bank accounts and signatures.
  • Review and signing of agreements with donors, funders and suppliers.
  • Basic legal counsel for ongoing activity.
  • Broad third-party insurance (including volunteers), directors and officers insurance, and employers liability insurance.

Professional guidance

  • An open line for consultation on management, strategy and donations, all along the way.
  • An annual strategy and resource-development mapping session.
  • A quarterly status and advisory meeting with the CEO.
  • Annual guidance on writing project cards.
  • Preparation for donor meetings, visits and tours, up to twice a year.

Community

  • An annual networking and learning gathering with all the entrepreneurs in the nonprofit.
  • Content and skills sessions during the year.
  • Development of and advice on cross-sector collaborations.
  • The brand and reputation of a long-standing home for social ventures, and connections to foundations and funders.

How do you join Alumot?

Alumot accepts ventures from all over Israel, by individuals or groups, at any age and at many stages, as long as they advance the nonprofit's goals. Fields include welfare, education, at-risk situations, resilience and rehabilitation, mental health, healthy aging, employment, volunteering and technology for social good.

  1. Reach out for an introductory conversation with the CEO.
  2. Fill in a written questionnaire about the venture and the entrepreneur.
  3. Professional review by the CEO and fit with the nonprofit's goals.
  4. Matching the venture's needs with the services Alumot offers.
  5. An in-depth interview: what drives you, what has been done so far, the challenges, and aligning expectations through the entrepreneur agreement.
  6. Presenting the venture to the Alumot board for review and approval.
  7. Joining the Alumot home. The engagement renews every calendar year.

A great deal of thought goes into the admission process, and at times we will suggest guidance toward other solutions. Not being accepted says nothing negative about the entrepreneur or the venture.

Questions and Answers

Do we need a registered nonprofit to join?

No. The venture is established inside Alumot and receives its full organizational and financial infrastructure, with no need to register a nonprofit or build bureaucratic systems.

We're only at the idea stage. Can we apply?

Yes. Alumot accepts entrepreneurs at early stages, even before a pilot, subject to the CEO's recommendation. There is no need for prior fundraising or proof of feasibility.

How are donations to a venture received and managed?

Donations are received and managed within Alumot, as part of the nonprofit's activity, under supervision and control. Each venture runs as a closed budgetary unit, and funds serve only the approved social purpose. Alumot is not a pass-through for donations and does not lend out its Section 46 status.

What tax benefits do donors receive?

Donations are tax-deductible in Israel (Section 46), in the US (via PEF) and in other countries (via JGIVE). Crowdfunding campaigns can also be opened, connected directly to the nonprofit.

How much does it cost?

The venture shares in the nonprofit's management fee. The amount and terms are discussed in the introductory conversation and set in the entrepreneur agreement.

What about insurance?

Alumot carries broad third-party insurance including volunteers, directors and officers insurance, and employers liability insurance. Unique activities (such as carpentry, surfing or vehicles) require separate coverage arranged with the insurance agent at the venture's expense, and therapeutic ventures also require professional liability insurance.

What remains the entrepreneur's responsibility?

The venture runs independently: the entrepreneur sets the team and the activity, leads the venture's fundraising, and commits to reporting on activity and results.

How are ventures evaluated?

Social impact, fit with the nonprofit's goals, the entrepreneur's commitment, relevance, feasibility, innovation and added value, funding and sustainability, and no conflict of interest or competition with an existing venture. Admission requires the CEO's recommendation and board approval.

Can a venture spin off to independence?

Yes, at any stage and in any form you choose, and Alumot sees that as part of its mission. Over 10 ventures that grew at Alumot operate today as leading independent nonprofits. Most ventures actually choose to stay, because the shared framework keeps overhead low and frees them for the mission itself.

We weren't accepted. What does that say about us?

Nothing bad. Alumot encourages entrepreneurs to act and to propose social solutions, and not being accepted says nothing negative about the entrepreneur or the venture. A venture needs to fit the nonprofit's goals, its infrastructure and its ability to provide a proper home, and at times we will suggest other solutions.

Tell us what you're building and what you dream of

Where does the venture stand today?

A few sentences are enough. You can tell us who the venture can help and what you've already tried.

The details you send will only be used to get back to you. Privacy policy