Birthright Israel (Taglit-Birthright Israel) has historically been funded and sustained through a collaborative partnership involving the Government of Israel, major Jewish philanthropic federations, and a select group of extraordinarily wealthy private mega-donors. Prominent billionaire philanthropists such as the late Sheldon Adelson and his wife Miriam Adelson, alongside other major international contributors and foundational partners, have historically served as the largest financial backers, providing hundreds of millions of dollars to ensure thousands of young Jewish adults can participate in educational heritage trips to Israel.