Building global responsibility
Supporting organisations that strengthen global responsibility through partnership, leadership and collaboration.
“The more I learned about international development, the more I realised that it is impossible to solve global problems alone. So our foundation’s approach to funding in this sector has been one deeply reliant on long-term partnerships – investing not only in relationships with a few trusted organisations but also creating “field builders” who can grow and support the sector as a whole.”Sir Trevor Pears CMG
Global challenges such as poverty, inequality and humanitarian crises cannot be addressed by individual organisations working in isolation. Lasting change depends on strong local leadership, collaboration across borders and a healthy ecosystem of organisations that can learn from one another, share expertise and inspire others to act.
At Pears Foundation, we believe that investing in this infrastructure is just as important as funding individual programmes. For more than a decade, we have partnered with organisations that strengthen the Jewish and Israeli international development sector, helping to build networks, develop leadership and create opportunities for collaboration. Alongside this, we support organisations delivering practical development and humanitarian programmes around the world.
Two partnerships illustrate this approach particularly well. Pears Foundation helped to establish both OLAM and SID-Israel and we have supported them from the outset as they have grown into the key organisations strengthening the Jewish and Israeli international development sector. Together, they provide much of the infrastructure that enables others across the field to collaborate, learn and maximise their impact.
OLAM
OLAM (the Hebrew word for ‘world’) is a global network of Jewish and Israeli organisations working in international development and humanitarian aid. It brings together practitioners, funders and organisations to share knowledge, strengthen professional practice and encourage collaboration across the sector.
Since its establishment in 2015, OLAM has played a central role in building a vibrant community committed to addressing global challenges through Jewish values and Israeli expertise. Through convening, leadership development, professional learning and advocacy, it has helped raise the profile and effectiveness of the sector while fostering new partnerships and initiatives.
Our support from OLAM’s earliest days has enabled the organisation to grow into the recognised convening body for Jewish and Israeli engagement in global development
Society of International Development – Israel
SID-Israel is the umbrella organisation for Israel’s international development community, bringing together civil society organisations, academic institutions, government bodies and private sector partners to strengthen Israel’s contribution to sustainable development worldwide.
By building professional networks, supporting innovation, promoting learning and encouraging collaboration across the sector, SID-Israel helps its members increase their collective impact and respond more effectively to global challenges.
Our long-term partnership has supported SID-Israel’s growth as an important piece of infrastructure for the sector, helping to strengthen professional capacity and create opportunities for organisations to learn from one another and work together.
Beyond these partnerships, we support organisations delivering humanitarian assistance and long-term development programmes around the world, including IsraAID, Tevel b’Tzedek, World Jewish Relief and NALA. We also support initiatives that develop future leaders and harness innovation to tackle global challenges, including Nura Global Innovation Lab and the Pears Scholars programme at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Together, these partnerships reflect our belief that meaningful progress depends not only on funding individual organisations, but on strengthening the wider ecosystem that enables them to thrive.