Founded in 1972, Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University (CFTAU) raises money in Canada for Tel Aviv University (TAU) in Israel. The charity has offices in Montreal and Toronto. Money sent to TAU funds education and research at the university. CFTAU also gives scholarships to recruit Canadian students into TAU’s International Program. Donations to CFTAU can be general, for research, or for scholarships.  In F2018, the charity granted $2.0m to the university and spent $49k on scholarships.  

According to Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University, TAU has 126 schools and departments, more than 30,000 students, and runs over 5,000 projects. It is the largest university in Israel and largest Jewish university in the world. In its 2019 World University Rankings, Times Higher Education ranked Tel Aviv University in the top 200 to 250th bracket. Research initiatives at the university include: developing fuel cells powered by hydrogen and solar energy that are cheaper, cleaner, and more sustainable than traditional batteries; using light to find ‘light barcodes’ for genetic mutations in human DNA; and developing cube-sats, which are modular cube satellites that can be combined like lego to collect data on climate change.  

Results and Impact: TAU describes multiple research advancements in its 2018 annual report. Based on mass predictions for a new type of subatomic particle made in 2014, university researchers observed this exact type of particle in 2017. This finding is proof that fusion of subatomic particles can release energy, which is new knowledge for physicists. Medical researchers developed a way to trigger stem cell proliferation in bone marrow with lasers. Clinical trials for heart muscle repair in heart attack patients showed that this method is safe and effective. Also in 2018, environmental engineering researchers developed a polymer to replace plastic that is biodegradable, produces no toxic waste, and recycles as organic waste.  

Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University is a medium-sized charity with total donations and special events fundraising of $3.8m in F2018. Fundraising costs are 9% of donations and administrative costs are 17% of revenues. Per dollar donated, 73 cents go towards grants to TAU, which falls within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. Of the charity’s $4.3m in funding reserves, $4.0m are donor-endowed. Omitting endowed funds, CFTAU’s funding reserves can cover under 2 months of granting activities.  

This report is a new charity profile that has been sent to CFTAU for review. Comments and edits may be forthcoming. 

Profile created on May 16, 2019 by Katie Khodawandi.