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Central Fund of Israel

EIN 13-2992985 · Cedarhurst, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceFair55 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Established in 1979 as a volunteer charity with the motto what you give is what you get, CFI was designed by its founders, Arthur and Hadassah Marcus, to enable one hundred percent of donations to reach charities in Israel. Over the years, CFI has received the Jerusalem Prize for volunteerism, accolades from the Chief Rabbinate, an award from PM Menachem Begin and accolades from hundreds of charities in Israel. We do not solicit or advertise. By word of mouth alone we have grown into a significant charitable force in Israel. Aiding over 400 charities and institutions each year we help the nation of Israel to thrive.

Income
$96.9 million
Spending
$88.6 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
6.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
0
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$120,000, president

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

Financial health

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.4 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 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 January 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 (6)
  1. $52.6 million spent. Community projects:The organization undertakes community projects which benefit the welfare of the citizens and the land of Israel. During this past year we witnessed another significant increase in Anti-Semitism in all its forms. The threats to the nation of Israel, the land of Israel, the people of Israel and the supporters of Israel all around the world continues to rise daily. All media, but particularly social media continues to see an explosion of classical Anti-Semitism and many new modern forms of hatred. Voices of demonstrations, boycotts, divestment, and even total destruction of the state and its people are heard in classrooms, university campuses, newspapers, parliments all over the world and i'm sorry to say even in the halls of congress of our majestic country. The enemies of the Jewish nation constantly search for new ways to harm us. There are many who have not given up on their dream to destroy us physically. The venom heard throughout is reminiscent of the 1930's and its disastrous consequences to humanity. CFI continues supporting those charities which are combating Anti-Semitism, the BDS movement and threats of annihilation of the Jewish people.Our community projects are meant to increase public awareness to the realities of Anti-Semitism and combat it wherever it is found; whether through use of the legal system or social media. We need to educate the world of the evil affects of Anti-Semitism. Not even 100 years removed from the Holocaust, we see history repeating itself. Our grants also go to assist in the construcion and maintenance of community facilities throughout Israel.
  2. $15.4 million spent. Social services, humanitarian aid, aid to the poor:Helping those in need is at the core of the organization. Charity means helping those in need whether it be in education, building structures, security or medicine. Our humanitarian aid is targeted to those people in need, whether it be monetary, physical or emotional. This category includes aid to food kitchens, children at risk, aid to terror victims and their families, aid to refugees and new immigrants, special education, after school programs, womens health programs etc.Due to the war which insued after Israel was attacked on Oct 7th, 2023, the need for these social services increased by many millions of dollars as the needs were so great for refugees. The traumas from PTSD in Israel today is a major issue and we have multiple organizations dealing with this from many different angles.
  3. $12.6 million spent. Support of educational programs and institutions: As in the past, there is a great overlap of humanitarian services as many educational programs service the humanitarian aspects of education as in scholarships and special education. There is also an overlap with community projects as there is a constant need to expand existing, and build new schools as the population increases.This category witnessed a large increase last year due to the war and this year has maintained that increased need.
  4. $3.3 million spent. Security ProgramsSecurity is built into every aspect of Israeli society. All programs whether they be communal, educational or religious, have security concerns as an integral part of their being. The programs included in this category refer specifically to programs involved in security.
  5. $2.9 million spent. Support of religious institutions:Provided grants that are primarily for the support, maintenance and construction of synagogues and other religous institutions and religious programs.
  6. $1.6 million spent. Medical ServicesMedical services are a large part of community and humanitarian programs due to the war . Listed in this category would be only services who specifically deal with medical issues and maintenance and construction of medical facilities

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 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 January 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 1979.

    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.

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.