The Central Fund of Israel (CFI) is a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1979 by Arthur and Hadassah Marcus as a volunteer-run charity with the motto 'what you give is what you get.' Headquartered in a modest office within the Marcus Brothers Textiles store on Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, New York, CFI functions as a fiscal sponsor facilitating tax-deductible donations from American donors, including American Jews, to Israeli causes, ensuring that 100% of contributions reach charitable projects without administrative overhead. The organization channels philanthropic donations to a wide range of initiatives in Israel, including educational institutions (such as yeshivas), religious organizations, community projects, humanitarian efforts, and Temple Mount activism, with significant funding directed toward pro-settler groups and community projects in West Bank settlements and outposts, including those supported by initiatives associated with figures like Bezalel Smotrich. This has drawn substantial controversy and criticism for supporting expansionist policies in occupied territories considered illegal under international law, leading to allegations of indirectly funding activities deemed controversial by human rights organizations. Critics, including reports from outlets like The New York Times and Electronic Intifada, have accused CFI of channeling money to extremist settler groups involved in violence against Palestinians, such as the Hebron Fund and Ir Amim, with allegations dating back to at least 2009. These controversies have prompted scrutiny from U.S. regulators and calls for investigations into whether CFI's activities comply with tax-exempt status requirements prohibiting support for terrorism or political violence. Despite these allegations, CFI maintains that all funds support legitimate charitable work, and no formal charges have been filed against the organization to date. CFI is led by director Jay Marcus, with Itamar Marcus serving as a former vice president, and has been recognized with the Jerusalem Prize for volunteerism. While praised by supporters for its volunteer-driven model and full donation pass-through, it faces ongoing scrutiny from watchdog groups and media outlets for its funding priorities in politically sensitive areas. CFI's operations remain low-profile and family-oriented, with leadership primarily from the Marcus family, and it has been linked to influential pro-Israel donors and networks, serving as an intermediary for anonymous contributions to Israeli causes within broader ecosystems of U.S. support for settlement expansion and right-wing Zionist ideologies.