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Bikur Cholim

EIN 34-1809885 · Cleveland Hts, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceWeak40 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ESTABLISHED IN 1988, BIKUR CHOLIM OF CLEVELAND IS A SUPPORTIVE, JEWISH COMMUNITY RESOURCE THAT PROMOTES HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IN A TIMELY AND ACCESSIBLE MANNER THROUGH PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)WE STRIVE TO HELP YOUNG AND OLD, WITHIN CLEVELAND AND BEYOND, BY OFFERING COMFORT, SHELTER AND SUPPORT THROUGH A VARIETY OF SERVICES.WE ACCOMPLISH THIS THROUGH THE COORDINATED EFFORT OF DEDICATED STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WHO SELFLESSLY PERFORM THE MITZVAH OF "BIKUR CHOLIM" - LITERALLY "VISITING THE SICK" - WITH ALL OF THE NUANCES OF CARE AND CONCERN WHICH THIS COMMUNITY EMBRACES. BIKUR CHOLIM SEES ITS DUTY TO STAND WITH INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES DURING TIMES OF MEDICAL CRISIS IN ACCORDANCE WITH JEWISH TRADITION, AS ARE THE PRACTICES OF THE ORGANIZATION.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
7.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
20
Volunteers
142
Highest pay
$252,115, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    26 of 26 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $786,288 spent. BIKUR CHOLIM PROVIDES HOSPITAL AID AND ASSISTANCE TO PATIENTS IN AREA HOSPITALS, INCLUDING FOOD, TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM HOSPITALS, AND INTERPRETIVE SERVICES WHEN NEEDED. AS A MEDICAL SUPPORT ORGANIZATION GROUNDED IN RELIGIOUS VALUES, WE SUPPORT THE RELIGIOUS NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY, ENABLING OUR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES TO HAVE MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES DURING SHABBAT AND THE JEWISH HOLIDAYS. IN ADDITION TO SHABBAT MEALS SENT TO HOSPITALS, WE LAUNCHED A SHABBOS IN A BOX KIT FOR PATIENTS SO THEY CAN HAVE ALL OF THE PROVISIONS THEY NEED TO OBSERVE. BIKUR CHOLIM ALSO ARRANGES VISITS TO PEOPLE IN HOSPITALS, ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND TO PRIVATE HOMES. IN 2024, BIKUR CHOLIM PROVIDED 8,647 KOSHER WEEKDAY MEALS AND A TOTAL OF 9,517 SHABBAT MEALS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)BIKUR CHOLIM PROVIDED OVER 1,100 RIDES TO PEOPLE UNABLE TO MAKE THEIR OWN WAY TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS. WE ACQUIRED A HANDICAPPED-ACCESSIBLE VAN THIS YEAR TO AID IN OUR ABILITY TO TRANSPORT THIS PATIENT POPULATION.
  2. $208,509 spent. BIKUR CHOLIM HAS HOSPITALITY ROOMS IN 6 MAJOR CLEVELAND AREA HOSPITALS PROVIDING MEALS, SNACKS AND BEVERAGES 24/7. THE HOSPITALITY ROOM AT THE CLEVELAND CLINIC HAD OVER 25,000 VISITS ALONE THIS PAST YEAR. ADDITIONALLY, WE ESTABLISHED TWO KOSHER FOOD CABINETS IN THE LABOR AND DELIVERY AND RECOVERY ROOMS IN THE OBSTETRICS DEPT AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS AHUJA MEDICAL CENTER. THIS IS A HUGE CONVENIENCE FOR WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO HAVE JUST GIVEN BIRTH.
  3. $173,012 spent. HOUSING AND SHELTER AT BIKUR CHOLIM'S 5 HOUSES FOR OUT-OF-TOWN PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AS WELL AS FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS AT AREA HOSPITALS. FROM JULY 1, 2024 TO JUNE 30, 2025, ACCOMMODATIONS WERE PROVIDED FOR 4,653 NIGHT STAYS.
  4. $146,188 spent. BIKUR CHOLIM CONTINUES TO ADDRESS THE MEDICAL AND PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES CONFRONTING JEWISH CLEVELAND, WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED A 24-HOUR CALL LINE FOR AFTER-HOURS SUPPORT. IN ADDITION, WE CONTINUED TO GROW OUR WOMEN'S HEALTH DIVISION, OFFERING OUR FIRST-WOMEN'S HEALTH EXPO ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 350 WOMEN LEAD BY MEDICAL EXPERTS COVERING A WIDE RANGE OF WOMEN'S HEALTH ISSUES. OUR SERVICES ENCOMPASS PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT FOR THE ELDERLY, HOME HELP AND MEDICAL AID FOR THE INDIGENT. BIKUR CHOLIM'S GILA PROGRAM CONTINUES TO OFFER MONTHLY PROGRAM OFFERINGS. HUNDREDS OF FREE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LOANS WERE PROVIDED THROUGH OUR MEDICAL EQUIPMENT GEMACH, WHICH WAS RELOCATED TO A FACILITY ADJACENT TO OUR OFFICES. THIS NEW LOCATION AFFORDS US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BETTER SERVE OUR PATIENTS AND PROVIDES 24-HOUR ACCESS TO THE EQUIPMENT.

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 December 1995.

    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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