Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Albany Jewish Community Center

EIN 14-1364462 · Albany, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SIDNEY ALBERT ALBANY JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER PROVIDES A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT WHERE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES CAN GROW AND DEVELOP IN MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT. WE SERVE THE SPECTRUM OF FAMILY LIFE, FROM INFANTS THROUGH SENIORS, THROUGH PROGRAMS RELATED TO EDUCATION, PHYSICAL FITNESS AND COMMUNAL LIFE. OUR CORE VALUES ARE ROOTED IN JEWISH PRINCIPLES, REPRESENTING THE INTERESTS, CONCERNS AND PERSPECTIVES OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. WE WELCOME ALL MEMBERS REGARDLESS OF THEIR FAITH OR BACKGROUND.

Income
$6.3 million
Spending
$5.2 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
-1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 62%
Employees
253
Volunteers
45
Highest pay
$118,520, campus director

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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    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 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 (5)
  1. $2.3 million spent. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION - THE JCC OPERATES AN EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER SERVING CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM INFANTS TO PRE-KINDERGARTENERS. THIS IS A YEAR-ROUND PROGRAM; DURING THE SUMMER, THE RISING KINDERGARTENERS CAN CHOOSE TO REMAIN IN THE ECE PROGRAM, OR JOIN THE ELEMENTARY-SCHOOL AGE CAMP. THE CENTER HAS 15 CLASSROOMS DESIGNATED FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD USE. ALL CLASSROOMS ARE IN USE WITH APPROXIMATELY 150 CHILDREN IN OUR CARE. OUTDOOR SPACE INCLUDES 2 TODDLER AND 3 PRE-KINDERGARTEN AGE PLAYGROUNDS. THE JCC'S APPROACH TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS THROUGH PLAY ACTIVITY THAT SUPPORTS THE WHOLE CHILD'S SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT. PARENTS ARE ENGAGED BY THE CENTER THROUGH INVOLVEMENT IN THEIR CHILD'S CLASSROOMS, AND THERE ARE VOLUNTEER COMMITTEES LED BY JCC BOARD MEMBERS THAT INCLUDE AN OVERALL EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMITTEE AND A PTO COMMITTEE.
  2. $953,514 spent. FITNESS, AQUATICS AND MEMBERSHIP - THE JCC DEVOTES CONSIDERABLE SPACE AND STAFFING IN THE OPERATION OF A HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER THAT INCLUDES A 6,000 SF. FITNESS CENTER, YEAR-ROUND INDOOR POOL, SUMMER-USE OUTDOOR POOL, GYMNASIUM, GROUP EXERCISE AND PERSONAL TRAINING STUDIO, AND MENS AND WOMENS LOCKER ROOM. ADDDITIONALLY, THE JCC MAKES USE OF UTS AUDITORIUM, STAGE, OUTDOOR PATIO, OUTDOOR PAVILION AND OVERALL GROUNDS TO FACILITATE A PERSON'S HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. IT IS OPEN YEAR-ROUND. THE JCC MAKES REGULAR INVESTMENTS IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF ITS STAFF, AND IN UPGRADING EQUIPMENT. WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 2,000 UNITS OF MEMBERSHIP.
  3. $356,670 spent. CAMP SHALOM, SUMMER DAY CAMP - WE CONTINUE TO EXPAND OUR CAMP OPERATIONS ON THE GROUNDS OF THE JCC. THE CAMP MAKES USE OF OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES LICENSED SPACES. THE OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOL IS USED HEAVILY BY THE CAMP TODEVELOP CAMPERS SWIMMING ABILITY. THE JCC AVERAGED APPROXIMATELY 100 CAMPERS PER WEEK THROUGHOUT THE 2023 SUMMER. IN ADDITION, THE JCC OFFERS SPECIALTY CAMPS AT THE END OF THE SUMMER, AND IN TOTAL, PROVIDES 10 WEEKS OF OF A VARIED AND EXCITING CAMP SEASON.
  4. $697,989 spent. YOUTH - THE CENTER ADMINISTERS TWO OFF-SITE UNIVERSAL PREKINDERGARTEN AND AFTERCARE CLASSES LOCATED IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OF THE ALBANY SCHOOL DISTRICT.
  5. $162,638 spent. SENIOR ADULTS - PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES FOR ADULTS INCLUDING LIFELONG LEARNING, ENRICHMENT CLASSES AND LECTURES, EXERCISE CLASSES, CURRENT EVENTS AND BOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS, ENTERTAINMENT, HOLIDAY CONCERT/DINNERS, DAY AND OVERNIGHT TRIPS AND A TWICE WEEKLY SUBSIDIZED KOSHER CONGREGATE DINNER PROGRAM.

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 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 November 6, 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 July 1953.

    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 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.