When you hear “International Service Fund, or ISF,” you might think it's just another fund. But it’s way more than that. It’s OUR fund—the one BBYO teens run, decide on, and use to make real change. Every dollar raised, every decision made, is by Alephs and BBGs, for Alephs and BBGs, and for the world around us.

The ISF makes sure that BBYO experiences are open to every teen, no matter where they’re from or what their family can afford. But it doesn’t stop there. It’s also our way to give back, to support causes that matter, and to step up when the world needs us most.

So, What Is the ISF?

The International Service Fund (ISF) is BBYO’s global philanthropic fund and a cornerstone of teen leadership within the Movement. Entirely fundraised for and managed by Alephs and BBGs through the Executive Body, the ISF exists to ensure that BBYO remains accessible, inclusive, and impactful for Jewish teens around the world, as well as supporting Jewish and non-Jewish causes worldwide. It allows members not only to participate in BBYO experiences but also to actively shape how resources are used to support Jewish life and humanitarian efforts globally.

The ISF was remodeled into what it is known as today in 2010, although it existed long before that, supporting Jewish communities worldwide. During World War II, it helped support Jewish communities in Europe as they faced the tyranny of Nazi Germany. More recently, in 2023, the ISF supported relief efforts following the catastrophic Turkey–Syria earthquake. Since 2010, the ISF has raised over $1.5 million to support Jewish teens and communities around the world.

The ISF operates through three primary categories: Need-Based Scholarships, Charitable Donations, and Crisis Response. These areas allow BBYO to care for its own community while also extending support beyond it. What makes the ISF unique is that teens are involved in every step of the process. From raising funds to deciding how they are allocated, teens have total agency.

Why It Matters:

The ISF is about more than dollars. It’s about responsibility, leadership, and action. It lets us:

• Break down barriers so every teen can fully join BBYO.
• Support causes that reflect our values and passions.
• Step in quickly when crises hit, anywhere in the world.
• When we support the ISF, we're showing what it means to be part of a Movement that cares.

How You Can Get Involved:

Every BBYO member has the opportunity to engage with the International Service Fund (ISF). Here's how:

• Fundraise: Chapter events, BBYO-thons, IC Shuk designs, #GivingBBYODay… whatever you come up with. Each region has an ISF allocation amount, selected by your regional presidents at the August Executives conference. Every bit counts toward your region’s ISF goal. The donation link is live at the AZA & BBG ISF Website and can be easily shared with chapters across our Movement, making donations more accessible to all and more closely intertwined with chapter fundraising. Once someone makes a donation, a BBYO teen or staff should also report the donation by filling out this form, also available at the AZA & BBG ISF Website, so we can celebrate it. 
• Learn & Advocate: The ISF Education Committee teaches us why tzedakah matters and how funds get allocated. And at the international level, you can propose legislation, debate it, and vote on where money goes. That’s real influence.

What’s Next?

Keep an eye out: pending ISF legislation will be discussed by the Executive Body in April 2026. This is your chance to help shape teen-led giving for the whole Movement.