Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Oorah Inc

EIN 22-3746051 · Lakewood, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong92 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OORAH WAS ESTABLISHED AS A JEWISH OUTREACH ORGANIZATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPARTING EDUCATION,VALUES AND TRADITIONS, AS WELL AS GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT, TO CHILDREN WHO LACK ACCESS TO THESE FUNDAMENTALS. OORAH TAKES A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ITS MISSION, UTILIZING JEWISH TRADITION TO ENHANCE EVERY ASPECT OF CHILDREN'S LIVES, THE MAJORITY OF WHOM ARE AT RISK DUE TO DIVORCE, LOSS OF PARENT, SERIOUS ILLNESS IN THE FAMILY, UNEMPLOYMENT OR POVERTY. WITH OORAH'S INTERVENTION, THESE CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO AVOID THE PITFALLS OF ANTI-SOCIAL AND DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR THAT OFTEN BESET VULNERABLE CHILDREN.

Income
$47.1 million
Spending
$46.4 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
27.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
315
Volunteers
8,830
Highest pay
$164,108, chief operating officer

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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 27.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 8 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 (1)
  1. $36.5 million spent. OORAH'S MISSION IS TO GIVE JEWISH CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME ACTIVE AND PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS THROUGH OUR ALL-ENCOMPASSING, YEAR ROUND PROGRAMS, FOCUSING ON EDUCATION, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND FAMILY ENRICHMENT. OUR FULL SUITE OF PROGRAMS SERVICING ADULTS AND CHILDREN OF ALL BACKGROUNDS INCLUDE MENTORSHIP AND COUNSELING PROGRAMS, SUMMER CAMPS, AFTERSCHOOL AND EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS, HOLIDAY PACKAGES, FAMILY RETREATS AND CULTURAL EVENTS, TUITION ASSISTANCE, LEARNING, AND DISBURSEMENT OF FOOD AND CLOTHING DONATIONS AND EMERGENCY CASH ASSISTANCE. A NETWORK OF THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS PROVIDES THE MANPOWER FOR THESE 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 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 2025.

    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 July 2001.

    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.