The New Israel Fund (NIF) works for social change in Israel. New Israel Fund is dedicated to promoting freedom, justice, and democracy in the Jewish state. NIF, in cooperation with other groups in the US, Europe, and Israel, has pledged more than $200 million to about 800 organizations. New Israel Fund works by distributing grants and providing technical assistance and coalition building. NIF's core issues include civil rights, social justice, religious tolerance, a sustainable environment, absorbing Russian and Ethiopian Jews into Israeli society, and women's rights. New Israel Fund founded Shatil, from the Hebrew word for "seedling," to assist like-minded grass roots groups in setting up shop. NIF was founded in 1979.