Causes: Education, International, Judaism, Religion, Scholarships, Scholarships & Student Financial Aid

Mission: To empower extraordinary individuals of underserved backgrounds and top academic merit to reach their highest leadership potential, igniting positive change in Israeli society

Results: 11,000 graduates, including Knesset members, college presidents, scientists and engineers, heads of hospitals, physicians, legal experts, architects, and founders of major NGOs. 50,000 at-risk youth have been inspired to improve their grades, stay in school and graduate. ISEF has been the leading proponent of increasing access to higher education as the key to narrowing Israel's wide social and economic gaps.

Target demographics: Educate and empower thousands of youths growing up in Israel's periphery, populated mainly by immigrants. ISEF discovers "diamonds in the rough" and nurtures them to achieve their full potential. ISEF provides generous scholarships and wraparound support programs to more than 400 students on Israeli campuses, and reaches thousands of at-risk teens through Bridge to College and other education projects in the community.

Direct beneficiaries per year: 428 scholarship students, BA to PhD, and more than 3,000 at-risk youth all over Israel

Geographic areas served: Israel

Programs: "Science Builds the Nation" Program - STEM scholarships in partnership with the Prime Minister's Office; Generous scholarship aid at all degree levels (BA to PhD and postdoc);, "Safety net" programs (academic assistance, emergency funds, counseling); Social networking with fellow ISEF scholars, to foster a sense of belonging and group identity; Leadership skills training, both theoretical and hands-on practical; Yvonne and Barry Cohen Book Fund projects; Alfred and Hanina Shasha Endowment programs; Luna and Selim Benardete Bridge to College Fund programs; Other education outreach projects in underserved immigrant communities.