The Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland builds, connects and strengthens our Jewish and Greater Cleveland communities through exceptional lifelong programs and services that reflect the richness of Jewish life and enhance physical, intellectual and spiritual well-being.
- Income
- $18.2 million
- Spending
- $17.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 0.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 62%
- Employees
- 567
- Volunteers
- 250
- Highest pay
- $389,421, president and ceo until 10/2024
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 19% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2550 of 50 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 (5)
- $4.4 million spent. Fitness, Wellness, and Recreation programs are available to members and support the Jewish Values of Maintaining a Physically, Mentally, and Socially Active lifestyle by offering a full continuum of fitness equipment, classes, clinics, leagues, indoor and outdoor activities for all ages, races, religions, and abilities at a comprehensive campus centrally located within the Jewish Community. Served 7,677 members at our facilities for 318,115 Fitness Days.
- $4.3 million spent. Overnight Camping Program promotes a positive sense of Jewish identity and encourages Jewish values for all children, such as helping others, team work, respecting nature, the importance of tzedakah, and celebrating Shabbat. Children come away with a renewed sense of Jewish identity and increased confidence, independence, and self-awareness. Camp Wise served 516 Campers for 1,872 Camper weeks.
- $1.6 million spent. Day Camping and Youth Programs promote Jewish values through camping, after school, youth theater, and Maccabi games programs. Day Camps had 541 enrolled campers attending ,2,992 Camper Weeks. Kids Club served 29 children and Vacation programs had 389 program days. Maccabi Games, an international Jewish athletic competition, had 34 athletes participate. Playmakers youth theater had 221 participants in 6 shows.
- $4.1 million spent. Early Childhood Programs
- $761,616 spent. Jewish Social and Cultural Programs
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1950.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 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.