Support for a U.S. nonprofit dedicated to fundraising for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which aids Palestinian refugees, has seen a significant increase since the onset of the conflict in Gaza. This rise in contributions comes in stark contrast to the U.S. government’s decision to halt funding for the agency, alongside allegations from Israeli officials claiming that UNRWA has ties to Hamas.
The escalation of support from American donors is reflective of broader reactions to the war that erupted on October 7, 2023. On that day, militants associated with Hamas launched attacks on Israeli communities across the Gaza border, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the abduction of 250 hostages.
With a recent ceasefire, humanitarian organizations like UNRWA are ramping up their efforts. However, a newly enacted Israeli law that breaks ties with UNRWA may severely impact its operations in both Gaza and the West Bank, with uncertainty surrounding what could potentially replace it should it be forced to cease activities.
In addition, organizations supporting Israel have reported a surge in donations aimed at aiding in what they claim will be a long and extensive rebuilding process in affected regions. Since October 2023, UNRWA USA has reported an impressive increase in its donor base, boasting around 139,000 contributors compared to 7,000 before the war began. Executive Director Mara Kronenfeld noted that these donors, along with some institutional supporters, contributed approximately $32 million in 2023, with projections indicating a rise to over $51 million in 2024.
Traditionally, this nonprofit had raised close to $4 million annually. UNRWA USA operates as an affiliated entity to UNRWA, focusing on advocacy and fundraising efforts to support the agency’s mission.
UNRWA has been the primary provider of humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. In response to allegations from Israel claiming that the agency harbors militants and enables Hamas to operate from its facilities, UNRWA has firmly denied such accusations and has taken action, including dismissing employees who were determined to be involved in the October 7 attack.
Evaluating the totality of U.S. donor responses to the ongoing conflict is complex. Typically, there is a time lag of over a year before comprehensive grant information is available from nonprofit tax disclosures. The divided public opinion surrounding the war has also likely influenced some donors and organizations to refrain from publicly expressing their support. This situation contrasts sharply with the clarity of philanthropic contributions observed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Contributors to UNRWA USA expressed dissatisfaction with U.S. policy, which has shown unwavering support for Israel through military and diplomatic assistance. Conversely, some donors have allocated funds to nonprofits aiding those in Israel, focusing on support for displaced individuals, mental health initiatives, and reconstruction efforts.
Historically, the U.S. has been UNRWA’s largest contributing nation, financing $422 million in 2023 and $343 million in 2022. Although the funds amassed by UNRWA USA cannot entirely compensate for the losses incurred due to U.S. funding cuts, Kronenfeld states that these individual donations signify hope for those striving to enhance lives in Gaza.
“The American public has truly stepped up to provide necessary and lifesaving support when our government has retreated,” Kronenfeld commented.
In the immediate aftermath of the October 7 incident, the Jewish Federations of North America initiated a fundraising effort targeting $500 million. They not only met this goal but exceeded it, ultimately raising $862 million by the end of 2024. The federations promptly directed funds to support survivors of the Hamas attacks and assist displaced Israelis, allocating $707 million to various organizations within Israel thus far.
Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO of the organization, mentioned that donors have visited Israel to express their solidarity and recounted efforts to aid agricultural communities affected by the violence. He shared instances where they assured local farmers, whose equipment was destroyed, that financial assistance would be provided.
Donations to the P.E.F. Israel Endowment Fund also saw a dramatic rise, doubling their typical contributions to Israeli charities. Over the 12 months following the onset of the war, the fund distributed $330 million, a significant increase from $160 million in previous years. Geoffrey Stern, the president of the fund, remarked that the pain and need are prevalent on both sides of the conflict.
Most humanitarian funding typically comes from governments or large organizations such as the United Nations. However, Patricia McIlreavy, president and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, emphasized the critical importance of individual donations to humanitarian efforts.
“Every humanitarian organization wishes for more flexible funding from private sources,” she noted, highlighting how funds from smaller donors or foundations can address financial shortfalls, foster innovation, and secure the safety of organizations’ personnel operating in perilous environments.
Last summer, Riley Brookshire, a resident near San Francisco, generated over $2,100 through a crowdfunding campaign for UNRWA USA. He was motivated to support the organization for the first time, biking over 1,270 miles over the course of a month to raise funds. He named his campaign “No brakes for Palestine,” referencing his fixed-gear bike, which has no gearing or braking system.
“Cycling is inherently political,” Brookshire stated, explaining that his drive to launch the fundraiser was partly influenced by poignant online posts regarding the war, which has led to over 47,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza, according to local health data.
Brookshire aimed to take meaningful action beyond participating in protests and contacting politicians. Although he experienced moments of doubt regarding the effectiveness of his campaign, he eventually saw a surge of donations after sharing updates on his biking progress.
His early hesitance was replaced by gratitude once he surpassed his initial fundraising goal of $1,200, later reaching $2,000. Despite these achievements, he acknowledged that the total raised is but a small contribution compared to the overall needs.
“There’s a strange contradiction, right?” Brookshire reflected. “If you take action, it might not yield significant change. But if you do nothing, you’re certainly not contributing.”
McIlreavy pointed out that humanitarian responses to crises often suffer from consistent underfunding, even as the number of global conflicts and displaced populations continues to rise. Her advice to potential donors is to manage expectations, recognizing that individual contributions may not single-handedly resolve conflicts or fully restore communities ravaged by disaster.
“We need to become more comfortable with the thought of ‘I don’t need to be involved in every detail, but doing something is better than nothing,’” she encouraged.
