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Friends of Ethiopian Jews Inc

EIN 06-1512486 · Newton Centre, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FEJ supports organizations and programs in Israel for Ethiopian Jews directed or controlled by Ethiopian Israelis themselves, in education, employment, equality and changing the public narrative.

Income
$601,671
Spending
$559,677
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
11.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
0
Volunteers
6

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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 (23)
  1. $119,282 spent. $119,282 to Wuste Tzega Culturally-Adapted Counseling-Mental Health
  2. $99,906 spent. $99,906 to Tech Career-Tecnology Training for Ethiopian Israelis
  3. $82,555 spent. $82,555 to Assoc.for Ethiopian Jews (AEJ)for advocacy and justice
  4. $50,420 spent. A grant to Forum Yerusalem in support of two public events to acknowledge the exemplary contribution to the State of Israel from Ethiopian Israelis.
  5. $49,000 spent. To Olim Beyahad in support of programs to find and integrate Ethiopian Israeli university graduates in jobs in their chosen fields.
  6. $38,240 spent. To the Shavu Banim Ethiopian Jewish Community Center for renovations to the interior of this active and important community center in Beersheva.
  7. $29,363 spent. A grant for general operating expenses of Tebeka - a legal aid and advocacy organization assisting Ethiopian Jews in defending their civil rights.
  8. $70,421 spent. Grants to 6 Ethiopian Israeli groups led by Ethiopian Israelis,including BIBC, Naftali Aklum Educational Programs,KHA scholarships,Friends by Nature
  9. Expenses: $50420.00 including grants of: $50420.00 Revenue: $0.00
  10. A grant to Forum Yerusalem in support of two public events to acknowledge
  11. the exemplary contribution to the State of Israel from Ethiopian Israelis.
  12. Expenses: $49000.00 including grants of: $49000.00 Revenue: $0.00
  13. To Olim Beyahad in support of programs to find and integrate Ethiopian
  14. Israeli university graduates in jobs in their chosen fields.
  15. Expenses: $38240.00 including grants of: $38240.00 Revenue: $0.00
  16. To the Shavu Banim Ethiopian Jewish Community Center for renovations to
  17. the interior of this active and important community center in Beersheva.
  18. Expenses: $29363.00 including grants of: $29363.00 Revenue: $0.00
  19. A grant for general operating expenses of Tebeka - a legal aid and advocacy
  20. organization assisting Ethiopian Jews in defending their civil rights.
  21. Expenses: $70421.00 including grants of: $70421.00 Revenue: $0.00
  22. Grants to 6 Ethiopian Israeli groups led by Ethiopian Israelis,including
  23. BIBC, Naftali Aklum Educational Programs,KHA scholarships,Friends by Nature

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 2024.

    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 October 1998.

    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.