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Jewish Federation of St Joseph Valley Inc

EIN 35-0941124 · South Bend, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood84 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO BE THE CENTRAL RESOURCE TO EMBRACE, CONNECT, AND SUPPORT JEWS LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY THROUGH SOCIAL SERVICES, COORDINATED FUNDRAISING, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
46.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 45%
Employees
18
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$137,188, executive di

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

Good: 84 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 46.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 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 (3)
  1. $175,460 spent. JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES. IN THE SPIRIT OF CHESED (KINDNESS AND COMPASSION) OUR JFS BRING HOPE TO THOSE MOST IN NEED AMONG US THROUGH OUR COMPASSIONATE JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND FOOD PANTRY WE PROVIDED SMALL EMERGENCY FINANCIAL GRANTS TO OUR MOST VULNERABLE LOCAL INDIVIDUALS TO HEAT THEIR HOMES IN THE WINTER, TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO NECESSARY MEDICAL AND MENTAL SERVICES APPOINTMENTS, AND DIRECT PAYMENT OF NECESSARY MEDICAL AND DENTAL COSTS.
  2. $402,938 spent. THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND ADULTS WE HAVE CREATED NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS ENGAGE AND SUPPORT JEWS WORLDWIDE. WE WELCOME GIFTS OF ALL SIZES AS WELL AS THE DONATION OF TIME, AND NO GIFT OR ACT OF KINDNESS IS TOO SMALL TO HELP.
  3. $445,541 spent. IN THE SPIRIT OF TIKKUN OLAM (REPAIR THE WORLD), OUR COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND ISRAEL ADVOCACY DEPARTMENT ACT TO REPAIR THE WORLD THROUGH ADVOCACY, OUTREACH, AND VOCAL CONDEMNATION OF ANTI-SEMITISM SEND OUR COMMUNITY EDUCATORS TO OVER 20 LOCAL SCHOOLS, CHURCHES AND ORGANIZATIONS AT NO COST TO THE RECIPIENTS. IN THE SPIRIT OF K'LAL YISRAEL (JEWISH PEOPLEHOOD) WE BRING JEWS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS, AFFILIATIONS, AND OBSERVANCE LEVELS TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOF HAVING COMMUNITY WIDE CELEBRATION EVENTS.

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

  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 August 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 April 1953.

    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.

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