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Jewish Federation of the Berkshires Inc

EIN 04-2131409 · Pittsfield, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE BERKSHIRES CARES FOR THOSE IN NEED AND NURTURES AND SUSTAINS THE JEWISH COMMUNITY LOCALLY, IN ISRAEL AND AROUND THE WORLD TODAY AND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
15.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
21
Highest pay
$168,085, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% 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 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    26 of 26 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 December 31, 2025, 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 (5)
  1. $679,099 spent. THE FEDERATION ALLOCATES FUNDS TO ITS AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS, OVERSEES NEEDS AND OTHER INITIATIVES AND ORGANIZATIONS IT DEEMS APPROPRIATE. DURING 2024, THE FEDERATION PRODUCED 126 EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, FAMILY, AND HOLIDAY PROGRAMS FOR THE COMMUNITY WITH OVER 6,600 ATTENDEES AND ENGAGED OVER 200 VOLUNTEERS. THE FEDERATION RECEIVED DONATIONS FROM OVER 1,100 DONORS AND ASSISTED NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS. CAMP AND ISRAEL TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED TO COVER 40 CHILDREN AND TEENS.
  2. THE BERKSHIRE JEWISH VOICE NEWSPAPER UNITES THE COMMUNITY AND BROADENS SPIRITUAL, POLITICAL AND CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING THROUGH A MIX OF NEWS, EVENTS, OPINION AND DISCUSSION. THE FEDERATION PUBLISHED 9 EDITIONS AND DISTRIBUTED APPROXIMATLY 22,500 COPIES. THE FEDERATION ALSO DISTRIBUTED APPROXIMATELY 4,000 COPIES OF THE BERKSHIRE JEWISH SUMMER GUIDE, A SUPPLEMENT OF THE BERKSHIRE JEWISH VOICE.
  3. $107,417 spent. THE OLDER ADULT KOSHER HOT MEAL PROGRAM PROVIDES NUTRITIOUS MEALS, COMPANIONSHIP AND EDUCATIONAL STIMULATION FOR SENIORS AND THE HOMEBOUND EACH YEAR. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES KOSHER MEALS ON WHEELS DELIVERED, IN-PERSON COMMUNITY MEALS AND HOLIDAY CARE PACKAGES. THE FEDERATION PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY 3,600 MEALS AND 500 CARE PACKAGES FOR OLDER ADULTS.
  4. $885,275 spent. THE JEWISH FEDERATION PROVIDES VARIOUS OTHER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO THE LOCAL JEWISH COMMUNITY INCLUDING SOCIAL SERVICES, EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, JEWISH PROGRAMMING, COMMUNITY RELATIONS, THE BERKSHIRE B'NAI TZEDEK YOUTH FOUNDATION, VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS AND THE WOMEN'S FOUNDATION PROGRAMS.
  5. THE JEWISH FEDERATION PROVIDES VARIOUS OTHER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO THE LOCAL JEWISH COMMUNITY INCLUDING SOCIAL SERVICES, EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, JEWISH PROGRAMMING, COMMUNITY RELATIONS, THE BERKSHIRE B'NAI TZEDEK YOUTH FOUNDATION, VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS AND THE WOMEN'S FOUNDATION PROGRAMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 2026.

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