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San Diego Center for Jews Culture

EIN 33-0874955 · La Jolla, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR JEWISH CULTURE ("CJC") IS A CALIFORNIA 501(C)(3) NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT WAS INCORPORATED IN JANUARY 1999. CJC IS HOUSED AT LAWRENCE FAMILY JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTERS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY. CJC PROVIDES A WIDE ARRAY OF MULTI-DISCIPLINED OFFERINGS, AND IS THE LARGEST LOCAL INSTITUTION SOLELY DEDICATED TO EXPLORING THE JEWISH EXPERIENCE THROUGH THE ARTS. CJCS'S MISSION IS TO EXPAND AND ENRICH CULTURAL LIFE IN SAN DIEGO BY PRESENTING THE FINEST IN JEWISH ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS, ENCOURAGING THE PRESERVATION OF JEWISH CULTURE AND HERITAGE AND NURTURING NEW CREATIVITY IN THE ARTS.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
0
Volunteers
400

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

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 (arts and culture, $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

    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.

  • 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. $414,005 spent. ADULT JEWISH EDUCATION ENCOMPASSES A DIVERSE SELECTION OF CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES RANGING FROM SINGLE LECTURES AND YEAR ROUND CLASSES, TO ANNUAL FESTIVALS. AMONG OUR SIGNATURE PROGRAMS IN JEWISH LIFE AND LEARNING ARE THE DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER AND SCHOLARS LECTURES SERIES, MELTON SCHOOL OF JEWISH LEARNING, AND HOLOCAUST EDUCATION.
  2. $215,327 spent. SAN DIEGO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL - A 10 DAY SERIES OF SHORT FILMS, DOCUMENTARIES, FEATURE FILMS, AND DIALOGUES WITH FILMMAKERS. THE FESTIVAL PROMOTES AWARENESS, APPRECIATION, AND PRIDE IN THE DIVERSITY OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE.
  3. $153,894 spent. THE J* COMPANY YOUTH THEATRE - OFFERS CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS IN ACTING, DANCE, VOICE AND TECHNICAL THEATER FOR YOUTHS AGES 7-18. STUDENTS PERFORM FOUR MUSICALS PER YEAR FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES.

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 November 1999.

    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.