Aleh Foundation

Mission:
The Aleh Foundation (AF), http://www.aleh.org/ supports Aleh,
an organization that serves brain damaged children. Established
in 1982, Aleh believes that every child, regardless of the
severity of the physical or cognitive disability, has the right to
benefit from the best available care and develop to his or her
fullest potential. Aleh is Israel's largest and most advanced
network of residential facilities for children with severe disabilities.
Approximately 650 severely disabled Jewish children are
receiving top quality medical, educational and rehabilitative care
at our branches in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Gedera and the Negev.
Aleh cares for children with medical conditions such as Autism,
Cerebral Palsy and Down's Syndrome, as well as genetic disorders
including Tay-Sachs, Canavan disease and Rett syndrome.

Recent News:
1) Aleh Summer Camps:
The Aleh Foundation runs a summer camp program entitled
“Dreams Come True” Day Camps. It started during the first week
of July, and excitement filled the air! It is an opportunity for the
most severely disabled children in Israel to participate in activities
that include swimming, the beach, clown shows, field days and fun
fairs. Taking a wheelchair-bound severely disabled child who needs
to be fed through a “Kangaroo” feeding tube to the beach, or for a
picnic, or for a sleep-away, is no simple matter. It is, in fact, a major
logistical challenge. But at Aleh, we believe that every child deserves
the fun and excitement of being a child, especially for children whose
everyday existence is a struggle. “Seeing our children play in the
sand, splash in the waves, enjoy a barbeque and pet the farm
animals; seeing our children with smiles on their lips and laughter
in their eyes – we take pride in knowing we have succeeded in
making Dreams Come True.”

2) IAF Israeli Brigadier General Visits Aleh Negev:
Last week the commander of the Eran Hatzerim Israeli Air Force Base
in the Negev, Brigadier General Hagi Topolanski, was treated to an
in-depth, personal view of the Aleh Negev-Nahalat village from up
close. He met with Aleh Negev Chairman Major General (Res) Doron
Almog, and was visibly moved by what he termed the “bravery and
valor” of the young residents. He found that “here, disability is no
deterrent,” as he marveled at the accomplishments of the village
residents, who despite severe handicaps, overcome challenges on a
daily basis. The Brigadier General said he had learned much from the
visit. “Society tends to view things through the perspective of
economics – what each person can contribute,” said Topolansky.
“But one of the great strengths inherent in Aleh Negev is its collective
conscience and the desire to provide mutual assistance – and this is a
lesson we can all incorporate in ourselves.” He also noted that the
goals and activities of the village clearly have an impact far beyond
its immediate range, with a chain of cooperation established
between staff, families, and the regional community. After completing
his visit, Topolanski pledged that the Hatzerim base and all its
personnel would harness their energies towards helping Aleh Negev
however they could, taking part in joint activities and lending their
efforts towards future endeavors.


Financial Efficiency Evaluation:

According to Charity Navigator (http://www.charitynavigator.org/),
America’s leading charity evaluator, the AF has an overall rating of
4 stars (four stars is the highest rating.) Charity Navigator provides
the following breakdown of the AF based on 990 tax returns through 2006:

Overall Rating: 4 stars ****
Organizational Efficiency
Program Expenses: 90.8%
Administrative Expenses: 5.3%
Fundraising Expenses: 3.7%
Fundraising Efficiency: $0.03
Efficiency Rating: 4 stars ****

Organizational Capacity
Primary Revenue Growth: 48.3%
Program Expenses Growth: 68.7%
Working Capital Ratio (years): 0.18
(AF can sustain itself for 0.18 years without
generating new revenue.)
Capacity Rating: 4 stars ****

Organizational Capacity refers to an organization’s ability
to sustain itself over time. Charities that exhibit consistent
revenue and expenses growth are more likely to sustain its
programs and services over the long haul.

Net assets for The Aleh Foundation are $873,427. Its President,
Jeffrey Tenenbaum, was not compensated. Compensation for
its Director of Communications, Steven Weiner, was $52,000;
this was 1.69% of expenses.

Recommendation:
The Aleh Foundation is a highly efficient non-profit. 90% of its
revenue reaches its target – the severely disabled children of Israel.
It is also poised to sustain its programs and services over the long
haul. For comparison purposes, Charity Navigator has given an
overall rating of three stars to Easter Seals; Easter Seals also helps
people with disabilities. The Aleh Foundation needs to advertise
its financial efficiency and its four star efficiency rating from
Charity Navigator.

Next Week’s Blog: The American Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel.