Wiz Founders Pledging One Percent Stake to Charity Creates $320 Million Social Impact Fund Following Google Acquisition

Assaf Rappaport and Yinon Costica donate a 1% stake in Wiz to the Merit Spread Foundation, creating a NIS 1 billion fund for social impact and hostage support.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 7:46 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from CTech by Calcalist

The Philanthropic Ripple Effects of the Largest Tech Exit

The landmark acquisition of Wiz by Google is generating a significant secondary impact on the Israeli social sector through a massive equity donation by its founders. Assaf Rappaport and Yinon Costica have transitioned one percent of their shares to the Merit Spread Foundation, an organization that has become a central hub for high-impact philanthropy within the local tech ecosystem. With the acquisition valued at $32 billion, this single percent represents a staggering $320 million, or nearly NIS 1 billion, which will be converted to cash upon the deal's completion to fund various social causes and long-term investments.

A Strategic Operational Hub for Emergency Social Aid

The Merit Spread Foundation has already demonstrated its capacity for large-scale social intervention, serving as a critical infrastructure provider for the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Following the October 7 attack, the foundation provided the necessary organizational framework for the forum to raise public donations before it received formal tax-exempt status. This support included the management of extensive international advocacy missions, media campaigns, and direct financial assistance to affected families. In 2024 alone, the foundation reported spending NIS 35.8 million on activities related to the return of hostages, highlighting its role as a key player in Israel's emergency civil response.

Structural Shifts in High-Growth Tech Philanthropy

Established in 2021 as a public benefit company, the Merit Spread Foundation enables entrepreneurs to contribute company shares rather than immediate cash, a model that has gained significant traction. While the Wiz donation was originally recorded at a historical value of NIS 520 million, the realization of the Google deal will nearly double that amount. The foundation’s leadership, headed by CEO Alon Tal, plans to invest the proceeds from the Wiz sale to create a sustainable endowment. The returns from these investments will be directed toward ongoing social projects, ensuring that the wealth generated by the tech exit provides a continuous benefit to the public.