Hadassah urges greater transparency on foreign funding in U.S. schools

Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is calling for greater transparency about foreign funding in U.S. education, saying undisclosed influence could affect curricula, teaching materials and educational policies. The group argues that classrooms should be guided by accountable, transparent processes and serve the communities they educate.

The policy statement focuses in particular on what Hadassah describes as the risk of distorted accounts of history, geography and current conflicts, including biased portrayals of Jewish history and the questioning or erasure of Israel’s existence. It says such material can contribute to antisemitic and anti-Israel attitudes and argues that students need factually accurate resources and safe learning environments.

Hadassah also distinguishes its concerns about undisclosed influence from international collaboration more broadly. The organization says cross-cultural learning and partnerships in education, medicine and humanitarian work can build understanding, advance technology and support health research.

What funding rules does it cite?

Hadassah says federal law requires colleges and universities to report foreign gifts exceeding $250,000 to the U.S. Department of Education. It says most K-12 schools are not required to disclose foreign gifts or funding. The statement presents this difference as a reason for more transparency across primary, secondary and postsecondary education.

The organization also points to how schools select classroom materials. It says many schools and districts recommend preapproved resources or require specific programs or curricula, while educators and communities may not know whether foreign entities contributed input or whether curriculum changes bring a one-sided perspective to complex subjects.

What action has Hadassah specified?

Hadassah says it strongly urges policymakers and school administrators to act, but the policy statement’s text ends just as it introduces a list of recommendations. It therefore does not specify the steps the group wants them to take.

The statement does not identify particular schools, curricula, foreign entities or cases of alleged interference. It frames the issue as a risk to educational integrity and educators’ independence, rather than describing a specific investigation or policy change.

This report draws on information from Protecting American Education from Foreign Influence.