Shva, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Klirmark Capital, and Israel Venture Network are launching Support Business IL, a special initiative to help small businesses in southern Israel, that provides immediate grants to businesses in the communities that were brutally attacked near the Gaza border, to help rehabilitate the local and national economy.
Many small businesses in the communities near the Gaza border have either closed or been forced to completely cease their operations due to the "Iron Swords" war. A new initiative called Support Business IL will assist them in weathering these difficult times by providing immediate grants in a quick process.
ELIGIBILITY
Small businesses located within a range of 0-7 kilometers of the border, with a yearly turnover of a minimum of 20,000 NIS and up to 2 million NIS.*
AMOUNT
5,000 NIS to 20,000 NIS, according to the yearly turnover
DELIVERY
The grant will be delivered within 3 business days from the date of completed application with required details and documents, and the fund’s approval.
* Subject to the fund's grants criteria, the availability of funds and the absence of any legal or other impediments according to any law.
THREE QUICK STEPS
About the initiative
Behind the operation stands the Shva (Automated Banking Services Ltd.), which operates national payment systems for credit cards and ATMs, The Jewish Agency - the global convener of the Jewish people, Israel Venture Network (IVN), and Klirmark Capital Management, which have joined forces to support these businesses and mobilize donors from Israel and around the world.
In these challenging times, where most businesses in the Israeli border region are not at their physical locations, they face difficulties. To address this, we – the four organizations – have established a joint system to provide immediate lifeline grants to businesses that represent the first link in the economic chain of Israel's periphery, businesses that drive the local economy, and even the national economy. We are pooling resources and facilitating connections between the business sector, Israel's financial infrastructure, and the generosity of the global Jewish people to enhance our assistance efforts.
Small businesses located within a range of 0-7 kilometers of the border will be eligible to receive the grant. The grant will be delivered within three business days from the date of completed application with required details and documents, and the fund’s approval. The minimum grant amount will be 5,000 NIS per business and can go up to 20,000 NIS for authorized businesses and companies with a yearly turnover of a minimum of 200,000 NIS and up to 2 million NIS.
Shva has the knowledge, experience, and data of hundreds of thousands of businesses in Israel connected to credit clearing systems. Additionally, Shva has an insights system that can analyze data in real time about businesses connected to it. The Jewish Agency, the largest global Jewish nonprofit, has a long history of working with operational and governmental bodies in the Israeli economy while leveraging the vast knowledge accumulated in the field of donations. This expertise includes within the business sector (Loan Funds, SparkIL, and other collaborations), as well as The Jewish Agency's extensive experience in raising partners worldwide for emergency and ongoing assistance to populations in need. Klirmark Capital is managing investment funds that focuses on local and global credit driven and special situations investment opportunities, including publicly traded and private investments. Israel Venture Network (IVN) is an organization focused on social entrepreneurship and social investments. The organization focuses on supporting social businesses to make them sustainable in the long term.
This initiative is where the infrastructure of the Jewish people and Israeli society meet Israel’s financial infrastructure and the business sector, made possible by four reliable, transparent and agile organizations without political affiliation.
The project collaborates with the civilian command center of the Brothers in Arms organization, Orot Energy Group, and Edeltech, and is actively seeking new partners to enhance access to assistance for businesses. Monday.com serves as the technology partner for this initiative.
The Goal
The Fund aims to help as many of these businesses as possible, which need "financial oxygen" in the near term, so business owners can consider their objectives: restore the business to full operation, make changes, or establish a new business, all to prevent an economic collapse until Israeli government authorities step in.
In the future and under certain conditions, we expect to expand support, including providing business advice and guidance so that business owners can make informed decisions and plan.
Small businesses are a critical part of a more complex economic and social reality. Any harm to small businesses can have macroeconomic implications, possibly leading to a broader economic crisis. Thanks to the immediate grants and support provided by the initiative, small businesses can survive, adapt to the new reality, and contribute to the success of the entire Israeli economy.
The role of philanthropy in Israel today is critical. Dozens of organizations and initiatives have sprung up since October 7 to lend a helping hand and provide immediate assistance to those affected so they do not try to recover from the tragedy and terror on their own. We need you with us, and we call on you to help us ensure the survival of businesses in the South that serve vital needs in their communities and represent the pioneering spirit and innovation of the Jewish State.
Provision of the grant is subject to the fund's grants criteria, the availability of funds and the absence of any legal or other impediments according to any law. The fund is not obligated to make grants, even if the grant criteria have been met.