Our Focus
Gandyr Foundation promotes optimal integration of underrepresented populations into Israel’s high-tech industry, with a particular emphasis on the representation of young people from the Arab and ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) communities.
Israel has a thriving high-tech industry, which serves as a major growth engine for the economy. However, despite the impressive achievements in the field, many population groups struggle to integrate into it, and their representation in the industry is very low compared to their proportion in Israeli society.
The need to integrate underrepresented populations into the high-tech industry arises from several complementary perspectives:
- From the individual’s perspective, integration into the industry promotes social mobility and may offer opportunities for a successful career, self-fulfillment, and high-quality employment.
- From the industry’s perspective, when certain populations are not properly represented, companies lose diverse viewpoints, limit their creativity, reduce their resilience, and diminish their access to new markets.
- From the socioeconomic perspective, integrating underrepresented populations into high-tech is a powerful tool for reducing social and economic gaps and strengthening the social resilience of the state.
Research shows that the challenges of integration do not end upon initial entry into the industry; employees from underrepresented populations face unique challenges around promotion to management positions and job retention.
In light of this, Gandyr Foundation chose to work with nonprofit organizations and take part in cross-sector partnerships aimed at optimal integration of underrepresented populations in the high-tech industry. In its work, the Foundation combines innovative philanthropic and impact methods and promotes outcomes-based funding.
The Foundation focuses on programs that remove barriers to placing underrepresented candidates into technology companies and on programs that support early-career employees, helping them advance into management roles and prevent dropout. The Foundation supports alumni communities of social programs in the field, which provide support, networking opportunities, and encourage personal and professional development.
Our Connection
The Foundation’s work in this field is led by Ofir Azury, a private investor in technology and impact sectors and Gandyr Group’s head of technology investments.
When Ofir began his career in high-tech, he discovered both the enormous opportunities the industry offers and the significant underrepresentation of many population groups, who are not given access to the growth and development opportunities that the industry provides. Since then, Ofir has worked in various ways to promote the integration of underrepresented populations into the industry. He views high-tech as a meeting ground between different groups in society, which can reduce social polarization and contribute to Israel’s economic development.
Grants
Out of a belief in strengthening civil society organizations, the Foundation has supported numerous initiatives, programs, and organizations nationwide since its establishment. Grants in this field are directed to civil society organizations working to integrate underrepresented populations into the high-tech industry. The Foundation upholds principles of partnership, learning, and innovation in all its actions.
