JNF UK has reversed its slide in income and, for the first time in four years, increased donations.

Gifts to the charity went up from £1.5 million in 2011 to £1.7 million last year, according to its annual report.

JNF also enjoyed a bumper year for legacies, which brought in nearly £5.4 million, compared to £832,000 the previous year.

The charity — which focuses on the development of the Negev region — tripled legacy and gift income from £2.3 million in 2011 to £7.1 million last year.

Investment income also rose from £74,000 in 2011 to £592,000 last year, while the JNF-run KKL voucher scheme, which distributes money to other charities, took in £9.9 million last year, a rise from £7.5 million.
JNF chairman Samuel Hayek wrote in the report that the charity was “experiencing a period of comprehensive growth that defies the current economic climate”.

The results were a “testament to the range of improvements and safeguards which have been implemented during the last four years to ensure maximum transparency and efficiency”.

JNF also more than doubled its grants to Israel from £2.3 million in 2011 to £4.7 million last year.

The charity’s current commitments include £1 million-plus earmarked for a music college in Sderot and £824,000 for a technology valley in Mitzpe Ramon.

JNF is also providing £329,000 for a pre-army campus in the new town of Halutzit.