Boys Town Jerusalem Foundation of America Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
BOYS TOWN IS ONE OF ISRAEL'S PREMIER INSTITUTIONS FOR EDUCATING THE COUNTRY'S NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS IN THE FIELDS OF TECHNOLOGY, COMMERCE, EDUCATION, AND PUBLIC SERVICE. SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1948, BTJ HAS PURSUED ITS MISSION OF TURNING YOUNG BOYS FROM LIMITED BACKGROUNDS INTO YOUNG MEN WITH LIMITLESS FUTURES. FROM JUNIOR HIGH THROUGH THE COLLEGE LEVEL, THE THREE-PART CURRICULUM AT BOYS TOWN: ACADEMIC, TECHNOLOGICAL AND TORAH IS DESIGNED TO TURNOTHERWISE DISADVANTAGED ISRAELI YOUTH INTO PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS OF TOMORROW. THE CAMPUS, LOCATED ON 18 BEAUTIFUL ACRES IN THE BAYIT VEGAN NEIGHBORHOOD OF JERUSALEM, OVERLOOKING THE JUDEAN HILL, IS A HOME AWAY FROM HOME FOR STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, REPRESENTING THE ETHNIC MOSAIC THAT IS ISRAEL TODAY.
- Income
- $7.6 million
- Spending
- $5.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 61.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 67%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 36
- Highest pay
- $318,505, former exec. vice president
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
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 61.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 23% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2536 of 37 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $3.5 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE OSUPPORTING BOYS TOWN JERUSALEM'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS:SCHOLARSHIPS THE MAJORITY OF BOYS TOWN JERUSALEM'S STUDENTS COME FROM DISADVANTAGED CIRCUMSTANCES. EVERY BTJ STUDENT RECEIVES SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE AT SOME LEVEL. THIS VITAL SUPPORT ENSURES THAT NO STUDENT WHO QUALIFIES ACADEMICALLY IS DENIED A BOYS TOWN JERUSALEM EDUCATION. THE OCTOBER 7, 2023 WAR HAS GREATLY INTENSIFIED THE ECONOMIC DISTRESS OF LARGE NUMBERS OF STUDENTS, AS MANY PARENTS LOST THEIR JOBS AND BUSINESSES. BOYS TOWN JERUSALEM WAIVED A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF TUITION FEES DUE TO THE WAR'S ECONOMIC CONSTRAINTS THAT SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED THE NEED FOR SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE.STEM PROGRAMS - BOYS TOWN JERUSALEM HAS EVOLVED FROM A MAKESHIFT TRADE SCHOOL TEACHING PRINTING AND CARPENTRY INTO A WORLD-CLASS TECHNOLOGICAL CENTER, PREPARING STUDENTS FOR TODAY'S CAREERS IN ELECTRONICS, COMPUTER PROGRAMMING AND NETWORKING, CYBERSECURITY, AND APPLIED ENGINEERING. BOYS TOWN JERUSALEM INAUGURATED THE VERY FIRST CISCO NETWORKING ACADEMY IN THE ENTIRE MIDDLE EAST, AND HAS PIONEERED STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS) EDUCATION IN ISRAEL.
- $630,000 spent. SEE SCHEDULE OSUPPORTING BOYS TOWN JERUSALEM'S SPECIAL PROGRAMS:TUTORIAL - COST $200,000 - BOYS TOWN JERUSALEM'S PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS PASSING THEIR MATRICULATION EXAMS IS AMONG ISRAEL'S HIGHEST, REGULARLY OUTPERFORMING TOP SECULAR AND RELIGIOUS HIGH SCHOOLS. TO HELP ACHIEVE THESE EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS, BOYS TOWN JERUSALEM PROVIDES A REGULAR PROGRAM OF TUTORING FOR STUDENTS REQUIRING ASSISTANCE IN ALL SUBJECT AREAS. THE OUTBREAK OF THE OCTOBER 7, 2023 WAR INITIALLY BROUGHT ABOUT AN ERRATIC SCHEDULE FOR STUDIES ON CAMPUS, WITH CONSTANTLY CHANGING SECURITY GUIDELINES. IN TIME, THE HARSH EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL DILEMMAS TRIGGERED BY THE WAR BECAME HIGHLY DETRIMENTAL TO LARGE NUMBERS OF OUR STUDENTS' ACADEMIC PROGRESS. A SIGNIFICANT LONG-TERM PROGRAM NOW OFFERS STUDENTS INTENSIFIED TUTORING IN MATH, ENGLISH, PHYSICS, HEBREW LANGUAGE, & JEWISH STUDIES. THE TUTORING PROGRAM, AT NO CHARGE TO PARENTS, IS FUNDED SOLELY BY BOYS TOWN JERUSALEM. SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS - $160,000 - BOYS TOWN JERUSALEM'S CAMPUS IS UTILIZED YEAR-ROUND. WHEN THE REGULAR SCHOOL YEAR CONCLUDES IN JUNE, SPECIAL SUMMER PROGRAMS ARE CONDUCTED, EACH DESIGNED TO BENEFIT A PARTICULAR GROUP OF STUDENTS AND THEIR OWN SPECIAL NEEDS. THESE INCLUDE DAY CAMPS FOR JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, WITH CLASSROOM STUDY FOLLOWED BY SPORTS, CAMPING, FIELD TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES BOTH ON AND OFF THE BTJ CAMPUS; TUTORING SESSIONS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO BOLSTER THEIR SKILLS IN SPECIFIC SUBJECT AREAS; AND ENRICHMENT CLASSES FOR HIGH-ACHIEVING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. SUPPLEMENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR IMMIGRANT STUDENTS - $245,000 - SINCE 2001, BOYS TOWN JERUSALEM HAS SERVED AS THE FIRST HOME IN ISRAEL FOR SOME OF THE COUNTRY'S NEWEST CITIZENS PARTICULARLY YOUNG IMMIGRANTS FROM FRANCE, THE FORMER SOVIET UNION AND ETHIOPIA. BOYS TOWN JERUSALEM PROVIDES THEM WITH FULL ROOM AND BOARD, INCLUDING SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES DURING SCHOOL VACATIONS, MEDICAL SERVICES AND EVEN POCKET MONEY AND A GIFT ON THEIR BIRTHDAYS.ROBOTICS EQUIPMENT UPDATED - $25,000 - NEW UPGRADED ROBOTICS EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS WERE PURCHASED FOR OUR ROBOTICS CENTER, ENABLING THE BTJ ROBOTICS TEAMS FROM GRADES 8 -12 TO DESIGN AND BUILD CUSTOM-MADE ROBOTS TO COMPETE (AND WIN AWARDS) IN REGIONAL AND NATIONAL ISRAELI ROBOTICS COMPETITIONS.
- $214,419 spent. SEE SCHEDULE OSUPPORTING BOYS TOWN JERUSALEM'S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS:A. RECREATION CENTER RENOVATION - $27,447THIS CONTRIBUTION ENABLED THE FULL RENOVATION OF A RECREATION ROOM IN THE HIGH SCHOOL DORMITORY ON THE BOYS TOWN JERUSALEM CAMPUS. THE AFTER-SCHOOL FACILITY PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH A PLACE TO RELAX, PREPARE LIGHT MEALS AND SNACKS, ETC. THE RENOVATION MODERNIZED THE FACILITY TO FEATURE HVAC, A PING-PONG TABLE, A SMALL KITCHENETTE, TABLE AND CHAIRS, AND MORE.B. BOMB SHELTER RENOVATION - $157,466THIS DONATION WENT TOWARDS THE TOTAL RENOVATION OF BOYS TOWN JERUSALEM'S 60+-YEAR-OLD BOMB SHELTER. LOCATED IN THE MAIN ACADEMIC BUILDING, THIS 2000 SQ. FT. FACILITY NOW FEATURES REINFORCED WALLS AND WINDOWS, A SOPHISTICATED VENTILATION SYSTEM TO PROTECT AGAINST CONVENTIONAL, BIOLOGICAL AND NUCLEAR THREATS, ENHANCED LIGHTING, HEATING, AIR-CONDITIONING AND MORE TO PROTECT HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS DURING WARTIME. IN PEACETIME, THE NEWLY RENOVATED SHELTER IS NOW A BRIGHT, WELCOMING CENTER FOR STUDENT RECREATION AND COMMUNITY EVENTS. C. UPGRADED COMPUTER EQUIPMENT - $29,506PURCHASE OF NEW COMPUTERS AND EQUIPMENT; UPGRADING OF EXISTING HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE AS NEEDED, PURCHASE OF LAPTOPS DURING WARTIME SCHOOL CLOSURE TO ENABLE STUDENTS TO ACCESS LESSONS VIA ZOOM.
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
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1986.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 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.