The Impact Forum: Strengthening Jewish Resilience Through Strategic Giving

May 27, 2025

This interview was originally published by the Jewish Future Promise on May 20th, 2025.

You’ve spent decades championing causes that strengthen the Jewish people and the U.S.-Israel relationship. What inspired you to create the Impact Forum Foundation?

Over the past 20 years, I’ve been an active strategic philanthropist, supporting and launching a wide range of initiatives and organizations that combat antisemitism, strengthen the State of Israel, and promote American values. Throughout this journey, I’ve learned that small and mid-sized nonprofits often deliver the greatest return on investment. These organizations are led by passionate, dedicated individuals who work tirelessly, often with limited resources, and their impact can be remarkable, especially when they are encouraged to collaborate with others whose missions complement their own.

One of the biggest challenges I noticed was the amount of time these smaller organizations had to spend on fundraising. There was no central space within the Jewish philanthropic world that helped connect them to a broader network of potential supporters. At the same time, many donors were eager to do more and contribute meaningfully, but often didn’t know where to start or which organizations to trust.

That gap inspired me, along with other members of our Jewish philanthropic community, to create the Impact Forum Foundation. The foundation brings together a network of like-minded donors who are committed to empowering and mobilizing an ecosystem of mission-aligned nonprofits. By incentivizing collaboration and shared learning among these organizations, we help create synergy, amplify their efforts, and drive real, measurable impact, as well as providing our donors with the opportunity to make a personal difference.

You’re deeply committed to combating antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment. How do you decide which organizations and initiatives to support in that fight? Are there any recent wins you’re particularly proud of?

We select organizations based on the tangible impact they are making and their openness to collaboration and information sharing within our ecosystem. We also seek out agile organizations that think creatively and have the potential to grow significantly with the right support. Over the years, I have backed a wide range of established organizations while also helping to launch new initiatives, always with a focus on encouraging collaboration and collective impact. I take special pride in the organizations I helped build from the ground up. Many of them are now playing a key role in the fight against antisemitism and in strengthening the State of Israel.

The Impact Forum is also known for its in-person gatherings featuring speakers, screenings, and strategic collaborations. How do these experiences foster deeper engagement among philanthropists and drive real impact on the ground?

Our in-person gatherings are a cornerstone of the Impact Forum. These events bring together like-minded philanthropists who value meaningful connections, thoughtful dialogues, and the opportunity to make a real difference individually and as a community. While the networking element is important to our members, the heart of each gathering lies in the deep engagement with the featured organizations. Donors gain a clear understanding of the missions, goals, and specific projects these organizations are fundraising for. After each event, we follow up with donors to keep them informed about the impact of their contributions and to maintain ongoing engagement. We also encourage the organizations to build personal relationships with their supporters. This model fosters not only connection, but also accountability, transparency, and long-term growth.

How has your Israeli-American identity shaped your approach to philanthropy and activism? Has your perspective shifted in recent years, especially given today’s global climate?

My Israeli-American identity has profoundly shaped my approach to philanthropy. Growing up in Israel and serving in the IDF taught me to think strategically and act with determination. Israeli Jews are raised to be initiative-taking, resilient, and courageous, and that mindset became a core part of who I am. It inspired a philosophy grounded in bold thinking, creative problem-solving, and a willingness to take decisive action when needed. Especially now, as antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment reach alarming levels, I remain committed to standing up for the causes I care about most. My passion for this work is stronger than ever, and so is my resolve to support those on the front lines of this critical fight.

Why did you sign the Jewish Future Promise, and what does it mean to you to safeguard Jewish values, heritage, and identity for future generations?

It is widely known that approximately 95 percent of Jewish philanthropy supports non-Jewish causes. While many of those efforts are important and meaningful, we are now facing an unprecedented rise in antisemitism. This is a moment that demands unity, bold action, and a renewed focus on protecting our own community. Not every philanthropic dollar needs to be directed toward fighting antisemitism, but that is where I have chosen to focus my efforts. By signing the Jewish Future Promise, I hope to inspire others to do the same: to invest in the future of the Jewish people, uphold our values, and ensure our community and the State of Israel have the strength and support to meet today’s growing challenges.

Adam Milstein is a globally recognized active philanthropist and a managing partner at Hager Pacific Properties. With his wife, Gila, Adam co-founded the Adam and Gila Milstein Family Foundation (MFF) to provide strategic philanthropic support to a wide range of organizations fighting antisemitism, supporting the State of Israel, and championing American values. He is a founding member and the National Chairman Emeritus of the Israeli-American Council (IAC).