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Jewish Family and Childrens Service

EIN 04-2104356 · Waltham, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

JEWISH FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICE CARES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES BY PROVIDING EXCEPTIONAL HUMAN SERVICES GUIDED BY JEWISH TRADITIONS OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, COMPASSION, AND RESPECT FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.JF&CS FULFILLS ITS MISSION BY PROVIDING DIRECT SERVICES AND ADVANCING BEST PRACTICES THAT SUPPORT THE RESILIENCE AND WELL-BEING OF ITS TARGET POPULATIONS: NEW PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN, OLDER ADULTS AND FAMILY CAREGIVERS, CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES, AND PEOPLE EXPERIENCING POVERTY, HUNGER, OR DOMESTIC ABUSE.

Income
$31.3 million
Spending
$29.3 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
8.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 67%
Employees
353
Volunteers
2,119
Highest pay
$415,396, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    32 of 32 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $10.0 million spent. CHAI SERVICES:CHAI SERVICES PROMOTES COMMUNITY, HOUSING, ACCESS, AND INDEPENDENCE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES. WE SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, PLUS THOSE WITH A WIDE RANGE OF STRENGTHS AND NEEDS. SERVICES INCLUDE CONSULTATION, PLANNING AND ADVOCACY, ALONG WITH COMMUNITY BASED DAY PROGRAMS, RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMMING, SOCIAL GROUPS, AND SUPPORTS FOR FAMILIES CARING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES OR MEDICAL CONDITIONS. WE ALSO PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF COACHING FOR LIFE SKILLS, INDEPENDENT EMPLOYMENT, AND SOCIALIZATION. WHILE ALL OF JF&CS'S DIVISIONS OFFER SPECIALIZED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, CHAI SERVICES OFFERS SERVICES ACROSS THE LIFESPAN AND COORDINATES MENTAL HEALTH INNOVATION ACROSS JF&CS.
  2. $7.9 million spent. SERVICES FOR OLDER ADULTS:SERVICES FOR OLDER ADULTS HELPS AGING INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES NAVIGATE LIFE TRANSITIONS AND CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES, FIND SUPPORT AND CONNECTIONS, AND LIVE WELL AS THEY GROW OLDER. SERVICES INCLUDE EXPERT GUIDANCE AND CARE MANAGEMENT, LOGISTICAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORTS, RESOURCES FOR CAREGIVERS, AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND TRAINING. SPECIALTY AREAS INCLUDE OLDER ADULT MENTAL HEALTH, ALZHEIMER'S AND PARKINSON'S DISEASE, SPIRITUALITY AND AGING RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT FOR HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS.
  3. $3.6 million spent. CENTER FOR EARLY RELATIONSHIP SUPPORT:THE CENTER FOR EARLY RELATIONSHIP SUPPORT (CERS) PROMOTES THE EARLIEST PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH A RANGE OF SERVICES TO NEW PARENTS, ALONG WITH TRAINING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. CERS SERVICES INCLUDE SUPPORT GROUPS AND WORKSHOPS, HOME VISITING PROGRAMS, PARENT-CHILD THERAPY, ADOPTION SERVICES, CONSULTATION, AND TRAINING. BY FOCUSING ON THE EARLIEST YEARS, CERS HELPS PARENTS BUILD RESPONSIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR CHILD AS A FOUNDATION FOR LIFELONG FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIPS.
  4. $2.9 million spent. THE CENTER FOR BASIC NEEDS ASSISTANCE:THE CENTER FOR BASIC NEEDS ASSISTANCE (CBNA) OFFERS AN INTEGRATED RESPONSE TO ADDRESS ECONOMIC INSECURITY IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AND BEYOND. BY INTEGRATING MANY CORE SERVICES UNDER ONE ROOF, WE HELP OUR CLIENTS MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS FOR FOOD, HOUSING, FUEL, UTILITIES, SAFETY, AND MORE. SERVICES INCLUDE COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AND AN ACCLAIMED KOSHER FOOD PANTRY, ALONG WITH EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, BENEFITS ADVOCACY, LEGAL SERVICE, AND SUPPORTS FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1950.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.