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Camp Ramah in the Poconos

EIN 23-1607236 · Bala Cynwyd, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood79 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CREATING LIFE-LONG JEWISH CONNECTIONS ONE HAPPY CAMPER AT A TIME.

Income
$8.3 million
Spending
$7.7 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 70%
Employees
418
Volunteers
21
Highest pay
$220,148, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 (3)
  1. $5.0 million spent. CAMP RAMAH IN THE POCONOS PROVIDES IMMERSIVE JEWISH OVERNIGHT CAMP EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS, PRIMARILY FROM GREATER PHILADELPHIA REGION, SOUTH JERSEY, AND THE BALTIMORE METROPOLITAN AREA. ACROSS ITS PROGRAMS, RAMAH SERVES CAMPERS RANGING FROM RISING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, AS WELL AS COLLEGE-AGE STAFF AND LEADERSHIP PARTICIPANTS.CAMPERS PARTICIPATE IN JEWISH LEARNING AND RITUAL, HEBREW LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING, ISRAEL EDUCATION, ATHLETICS, ARTS, WATERFRONT ACTIVITIES, OUTDOOR ADVENTURE, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. THROUGH DAILY COMMUNAL LIVING, CAMPERS BUILD INDEPENDENCE, CONFIDENCE, FRIENDSHIPS, AND LASTING CONNECTIONS TO JEWISH LIFE. DURING FY 2025, CAMP RAMAH IN THE POCONOS PROVIDED SAFE AND JOYFUL SUMMER EXPERIENCES FOR 485 CAMPERS, MAINTAINED A STRONG ISRAELI STAFF PRESENCE, EXPANDED CAMPER CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS, STRENGTHENED STAFF TRAINING, AND ENHANCED PROGRAMMING ACROSS JEWISH EDUCATION, RECREATION, THE ARTS, AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING.
  2. $1.3 million spent. RAMAH DAY CAMP PHILADELPHIA PROVIDES JEWISH DAY CAMP EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE GREATER PHILADELPHIA AREA. THE PROGRAM COMBINES TRADITIONAL CAMP ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING SPORTS, SWIMMING, ARTS, MUSIC, AND OUTDOOR PLAY, WITH JEWISH LEARNING, HEBREW LANGUAGE, ISRAEL EDUCATION, SHABBAT CELEBRATIONS, AND VALUES-BASED COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES. CAMPERS DEVELOP FRIENDSHIPS, CONFIDENCE, INDEPENDENCE, AND A STRONGER CONNECTION TO JEWISH LIFE IN A WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT. DURING FY 2025, THE DAY CAMP DELIVERED PROGRAMMING TO 175 CAMPERS, STRENGTHENED CAMPER SUPPORT AND STAFF TRAINING, AND CONTINUED TO PROVIDE FAMILIES WITH A JOYFUL AND ACCESSIBLE JEWISH CAMP EXPERIENCE.
  3. $88,782 spent. TIKVAH INCLUSION PROGRAMS ARE A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED DEFININGCOMPONENTOF RAMAH'S OVERNIGHT CAMP PROGRAM. THE TIKVAH INCLUSION INITIATIVE INCLUDES THEYEDIDIMRESIDENTIAL PROGRAM FOR TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES ANDTOCHNITAVODAH, A VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM WHERE PARTICIPANTS TAKE ON MEANINGFUL RESPONSIBILITIES THROUGHOUT CAMP. THESE PROGRAMS COMBINE INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT WITH FULL PARTICIPATION IN CAMP LIFE AND REFLECT RAMAH'S BELIEF THAT EVERY PERSON DESERVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE INDEPENDENCE, FRIENDSHIP, JEWISH COMMUNITY, AND PERSONAL GROWTH. IN FY 2025, RAMAH CONTINUED TO STRENGTHEN TIKVAH INCLUSION PROGRAMMING THROUGH INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT AND MEANINGFUL INTEGRATION INTO CAMP COMMUNITY LIFE FOR 27 CAMPERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 March 1983.

    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.