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Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley

EIN 23-2301360 · Allentown, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY, GUIDED BY JEWISH VALUES, HELPS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO LIVE HEALTHIER, MORE STABLE LIVES BY PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES, PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. OUR VISION IS THAT NO ONE IN OUR COMMUNITY SHOULD SUFFER HUNGER, ISOLATION, ABANDONMENT, EMOTIONAL OR PHYSICAL DISTRESS, OR LACK OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND CARING.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
84.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 72%
Employees
20
Volunteers
94
Highest pay
$111,300, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 84.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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 June 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. $721,857 spent. DIRECT ASSISTANCE - THROUGH DIRECT ASSISTANCE, JFS'S TWO LARGEST PROGRAMS INCLUDE OLDER ADULT CASE MANAGEMENT WITH SOCIALIZATION PROGRAMS FOR OLDER ADULTS, AND FOOD DISTRIBUTION. OLDER ADULT CASE MANAGEMENT PROVIDES OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR FAMILIES SUPPORT AND RESOURCES TO NAVIGATE THE AGING PROCESS. JFS OFFERS INTERNAL SOCIALIZATION PROGRAMS FOR CLIENTS LIKE THE RETIRED MEN'S SOCIAL GROUP, THE PREPARED MEAL DELIVERY PROGRAM, CREATIVE CONNECTIONS ART THERAPY GROUP, AND THE LET'S PLAY GROUP. THE COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY PROVIDES FOOD AND ESSENTIAL PERSONAL CARE ITEMS TO UNDER-RESOURCED HOUSEHOLDS LIVING IN THE 18104-ZIP CODE, AND ANY JEWISH PERSON THROUGHOUT THE LEHIGH VALLEY. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATION.OUR CHOICE MODEL PANTRY PROVIDES 307 CLIENTS WITH 2-3 DAYS OF SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD AT THEIR MONTHLY APPOINTMENT. OVER 80 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS TO EXECUTE THESE TWO VITAL PROGRAMS.
  2. $143,937 spent. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES - THROUGH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS PROVIDE CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELING FOR INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES, COUPLES, AND FAMILIES. WORKING WITH AN EXPERIENCED THERAPIST, CLIENTS BUILD RESILIENCE IN DEVELOPING STRATEGIES TO COPE WITH CHANGE, LOSS, AND THE STRESSES OF EVERYDAY LIFE. PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL SUPPORT GROUPS, LIKE THE EMPOWERMENT GROUP FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES, OFFER A COMBINATION OF MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, PROVIDING PARTICIPANTS WITH THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO BECOME EMPOWERED TO LEAD A HEALTHIER, MORE INFORMED LIFE. JFS SERVES PEOPLE OF EVERY RACE, RELIGION AND FINANCIAL STATUS. MEDICARE AND MAJOR INSURANCE PLANS ARE ACCEPTED. FINANCIAL SECURITY IS NOT A BARRIER TO GETTING HELP AND A SLIDING FEE SCHEDULE IS AVAILABLE FOR UNINSURED CLIENTS.
  3. $126,519 spent. VOLUNTEER AND DEVELOPMENT - IMPLEMENTS AND PROVIDES PROGRAMS AND WORKSHOPS ON TOPICS RELEVANT TO THE COMMUNITY AFFECTING VARIOUS STAGES OF LIFE AND ADDRESSING SPECIAL NEEDS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 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 June 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 April 1987.

    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.

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