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Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus

EIN 31-4379496 · Columbus, OH

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

THE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF GREATER COLUMBUS IS A NONPROFIT HUMAN SERVICE AGENCY OFFERING A VARIED PROGRAM THAT IS JEWISH IN NATURE. IT IS COMMITTED TO ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY LIFE THROUGH THE PROMOTION OF PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL, AND SPIRITUAL WELLNESS. IT PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS THAT REFLECT THE JEWISH HERITAGE, HEALTH RELATED ACTIVITIES AND MANY SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. THROUGH ITS WIDE ARRAY OF PROGRAMS, THE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF GREATER COLUMBUS (JCC) PURSUES ITS MISSION OF STRENGTHENING THE INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY.

Income
$23.3 million
Spending
$15.2 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 51%
Employees
471
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$221,501, ceo

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.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 55% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    38 of 38 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 (4)
  1. $8.8 million spent. EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES DIVISION: THE EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES (ECS) PROGRAM SERVES OVER 390 CHILDREN AGES SIX WEEKS TO PRE-KINDERGARTEN AT THREE SITES. PLAY CENTERED EDUCATION IS FULL OF WEEKLY ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING SINGING, DANCING, READING, COOKING, AND CREATIVE ARTS, AS WELL AS MASTERING PRE-K SKILLS. THE CHILDREN ALSO LEARN TRADITIONAL JEWISH VALUES THROUGH JEWISH PROGRAMMING, SUCH AS NEARLY 18,000 HOURS OF JEWISH AND HEBREW EDUCATION, AND CELEBRATING OVER 650,000 HOURS OF JEWISH HOLIDAYS, TRADITIONS, AND HISTORY WITH PRESCHOOL FAMILIES. JCC PRESCHOOLS GRADUATE OVER 85 STUDENTS ANNUALLY, WHO MOVE ON TO KINDERGARTEN. 75% OF THE GRADUATES CONTINUE TO JEWISH LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING DAY SCHOOLS, RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS, HEBREW SCHOOL, AND JEWISH SUMMER CAMPS.
  2. $3.2 million spent. RECREATION AND WELLNESS DIVISION: DEDICATED TO HEALTH AND FITNESS FOR ALL AGES, THE DIAMOND FAMILY FITNESS CENTER OFFERS A FULL-SERVICE, STATE OF THE ART FITNESS CENTER, CARDIO & WEIGHT EQUIPMENT, ADULT & YOUTH EXERCISE CLASSES, SPORTS RECREATION LEAGUES, OUTDOOR TENNIS, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR AQUATICS CENTER, PERSONALIZED HEALTH ASSESSMENTS, PERSONAL TRAINING, PILATES REFORMER, SILVER SNEAKERS (SENIOR ADULT) CLASSES & PROGRAMS. TWO GYMS PROVIDE SPACE FOR INDOOR SOCCER, BATTING CAGES, BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS, AND DEDICATED PRESCHOOL GYM PROGRAMS. THE FITNESS CENTER IS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK.
  3. $1.3 million spent. CHILDREN, YOUTH & CAMPING (CYC) DIVISION: CHILDREN & CAMPING PROGRAMS SERVE CHILDREN IN GRADES K - 7. PROGRAMS INCLUDE AN ACA ACCREDITED SUMMER DAY CAMP PROVIDING OVER 2,100 CAMPER WEEKS AT TWO SITES AND A STATE LICENSED LATCHKEY PROGRAM SERVING OVER 60 STUDENTS PER WEEK. JEWISH SUMMER CAMP ALSO INCLUDES SPECIAL INTEREST CAMPS AND A SPECIAL NEEDS PROGRAM. 75% OF JEWISH CAMP AND AFTERSCHOOL PARTICIPANTS CONTINUE JEWISH LEARNING DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR THROUGH DAY SCHOOLS, RELIGIOUS SCHOOL, OR HEBREW LESSONS.
  4. $399,275 spent. ADULT, ARTS, & EDUCATION DIVISION CONDUCTS PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS, PRESENTS ARTS AND CULTURAL PERFORMANCES, A FILM FESTIVAL, AND DISPLAYS ARTS AND CULTURAL EXHIBITS.

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 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 June 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 September 1952.

    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.