Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
JUF PROVIDES CRITICAL RESOURCES THAT BRING FOOD, REFUGE, HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO OVER 500,000 CHICAGOANS OF ALL FAITHS AND MILLIONS OF JEWS IN ISRAEL AND AROUND THE WORLD, FUNDING A NETWORK OF 100+ AGENCIES, SCHOOLS, AND PROGRAMS.
- Income
- $154.2 million
- Spending
- $140.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 14.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 82%
- Employees
- 595
- Volunteers
- 12,394
- Highest pay
- $668,514, president/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
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, over $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.6 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 22% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 38% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2587 of 87 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
10 of 10Gave 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 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 (5)
- $60.4 million spent. ALLOCATIONS (OVERSEAS) - THROUGH ITS ALLOCATION TO JFNA, JUF SUPPORTS SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS IN ISRAEL AND 70 OTHER COUNTRIES. THESE RANGE FROM BASIC SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS ADDRESSING NEEDS OF ALL AGE GROUPS TO FORMAL AND INFORMAL JEWISH EDUCATION/IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT. THE MAJOR BENEFICIARY ORGANIZATIONS WHICH ENGAGE IN OVERSEAS WORK THROUGH SUPPORT FROM JFNA ARE THE AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE, THE JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL AND THE WORLD ORT. (Expenses $ 3,505,404 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 1,453,934) ISRAEL OFFICE AND OTHER PROGRAMS: THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS A SMALL OFFICE IN ISRAEL WITH FOUR EMPLOYEES. THE ISRAEL OFFICE EXPENSE AND EMPLOYEE SALARIES ARE PAID TO JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA, WHICH IS BASED IN NEW YORK, AND IS THE UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION FOR ALL JEWISH FEDERATIONS IN NORTH AMERICA. THE ISRAEL OFFICE COORDINATES EDUCATIONAL MISSIONS AND MONITORS ISRAELI PROGRAMS THAT ARE FUNDED BY JUF. JUF COORDINATES MISSIONS TO ISRAEL AND VARIOUS OTHER COUNTRIES IN ORDER TO GIVE DONORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL WITH OTHER CHICAGOANS TO JEWISH COMMUNITIES ALL OVER THE WORLD AND SEE JUF DOLLARS AT WORK. THE MISSIONS ALSO ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO VISIT WITH PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN ISRAEL AND OTHER COUNTRIES, EXPLORE FAMILY ROOTS AND LEARN ABOUT WORLDWIDE JEWISH CULTURE. MISSIONS GIVE PARTICIPANTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE FIRST-HAND WHAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE JEWISH PEOPLE WHEN OUR ENERGY AND RESOURCES ARE OPERATING AT FULL CAPACITY. JUF PAYS FOR CERTAIN MISSION TRAVEL EXPENSES AND THEN PARTICIPANTS REIMBURSE JUF FOR THE COSTS. THE REVENUE AND EXPENSES OF MISSIONS ARE REPORTED ON THE 990 ON A GROSS BASIS. (Expenses $ 757,462 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 10,370) COMMUNITY RELATIONS - THROUGH ITS SUPPORT OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL (JCRC), JUF COORDINATES THE COLLECTIVE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS AMONG 43 CONSTITUENT JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS/COMMUNITY RELATIONS WORK. JCRC EDUCATES AND MOBILIZES THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOR ACTION THROUGH JUF AND THOSE CONSTITUENT GROUPS ON INTERNAL AND DOMESTIC ISSUES RANGING FROM ISRAEL ADVOCACY TO COMBATTING ANTI-SEMITISM, AND WORKS TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY'S INTERGROUP RELATIONS (INTERFAITH, INTERETHNIC, ETC.). JCRC ACTIVITIES AND ENGAGEMENT TAKE PLACE WITH THE MEDIA, CAMPUSES, GOVERNMENT, FOREIGN DIPLOMATS AND RELIGIOUS AND CIVIC LEADERS.
- $51.3 million spent. ALLOCATIONS (LOCAL) - THE JEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO (JUF) CONDUCTS FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES BY MEANS OF ANNUAL CALENDAR YEAR CAMPAIGNS AND MAKES ALLOCATIONS TO JEWISH FEDERATION OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO (JF) AND JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA (JFNA). THROUGH ITS ALLOCATION TO JF, JUF SUPPORTS VARIOUS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CHICAGO AREA THAT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS, INCLUDING HOT MEALS AND GROCERIES, UTILITY AND RENT ASSISTANCE, PRESCRIPTIONS AND MEDICAL CARE FOR IMPOVERISHED FAMILIES; JOB TRAINING AND PLACEMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT OF WORK; MULTI-FACETED, SPECIALIZED SUPPORT SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES; SUPPORT SERVICES FOR HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS; CARE AND TRANSPORTATION FOR SENIORS; RESPITE SERVICES FOR CAREGIVERS OF FRAIL SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES; COUNSELING, PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR TROUBLED TEENS; AND AN ENTIRE CONTINUUM OF PREVENTION AND THERAPEUTIC SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN CRISIS. BECAUSE THE JEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO AND THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO ARE SO CLOSELY LINKED IN NUMEROUS WAYS (COMBINED BOARD OF DIRECTORS, SHARED PROFESSIONAL STAFF, SHARED OFFICE SPACE, ETC.), AND BECAUSE JUF PROVIDES AN ANNUAL, MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR ALLOCATION TO THE JEWISH FEDERATION, WE MEASURE AND REPORT OUR PROGRAM AND SERVICE RESULTS JOINTLY FOR THE COMBINED JUF/FEDERATION ENTERPRISE, WHICH ARE SUMMARIZED BELOW: MEETING BASIC HUMAN NEEDS As one of the nation's largest humanitarian organizations, JUF meets the most fundamental needs of the community-feeding people who are hungry, providing emergency financial support, and protecting the health and well-being of those in need of care. Helping people keep food on their tables and a roof overhead. * 20,000 individuals received food assistance, including meals, food bags and packages in FY25. * 880 individuals received affordable housing services and 500 people lived in JUF-supported affordable housing. * More than 5,000 households received $24 million in financial aid- a 16 percent increase in households assisted and 27 percent increase in dollars distributed. * 4,400 people- including more than 2,000 children-- received in-kind essentials, such as school supplies, winter coats and tech devices. * 8,000 individuals received assistance gaining or maintaining public benefits. Providing access to life-saving medical care and essential mental health services. * 64,000 people in need received direct healthcare including primary medical care, dental, and access to health screenings. * More than 2,600 people received prescription medications. * 27,500 individuals received mental health services or education. * 4,600 individuals were served to reduce isolation. Helping people build new lives in a new country. * 11,700 immigrants and refugees received support from JUF agencies in 2025, ranging from food and housing to job placement and assistance on the path to citizenship-a 22% increase over last year. * 8,500 refugees received ongoing resettlement services, a 50% increase over the prior year Promoting inclusion, individualism and independence for people with disabilities. * A record 4,600 people with disabilities received support from JUF and its agencies, ranging from employment assistance to school and Jewish summer camp-- a 20% increase. * 1,400 family members and caregivers of people with disabilities increased knowledge, skills, and access to resources to support their loved ones. * 1,700 children and youth with developmental delays or disabilities were served in school-based settings. Providing holistic support to sustain Holocaust survivors * 1,700 Holocaust survivors received a range of supportive services, from financial aid to socialization. * Financial aid to survivors totaled $17.3 million, an increase of 11% over last year. * More than $1.2 million in food support. Helping people help themselves. *4,000 people received employment services in 2025. *1,600 seniors and others in need got transportation assistance to access health care, jobs and more. *670 individuals attained financial literacy skills through financial counseling and education services. *A record 1,161 people benefited from free legal assistance- a 12 percent increase. CONNECTING PEOPLE TO COMMUNITY JUF continues to answer our community's call for meaningful opportunities to celebrate Jewish identity and gather in Jewish places and spaces. JUF gave community members of all ages the chance to connect, serve, lead and learn. * 15,500 adults participated in Jewish education programs. * 12,400 people volunteered 250,000 hours of their time to serve the greater community in and around Chicago. * 4,300 older adults participated in social, cultural, and educational enrichment programming. JUF brought together tens of thousands of Jewish young adults and young families. * 13,500 young adults engaged in programs provided by JUF and its agencies. * 5,400 young families participated in programs and events hosted by JUF and it agencies on three or more occasions-- an increase among repeat visitors of more than 78%. * More than 550 programs and events were designed for young families, from playgroups to parenting workshops. * 5,000 people attended Shabbat dinners to bring together Chicago-area millennials. * 7,700 families received free, monthly Jewish books through PJ Library & PJ Our Way. JUF's dynamic programs engaged students and young people in Jewish life. * 57% of Jewish college students in Illinois-3,800 students-- participated in Hillel programs. * 6,400 teens engaged in Jewish programming. * 900 children and youth received $1 million in need-based scholarships or incentives toward a Jewish summer camp experience. JUF made Jewish education more affordable and accessible in 2025. * 3,600 local Jewish Day School students received scholarships and/or tuition assistance from JUF-supported day schools, totaling $48 million. * 705 youth and young adults traveled
- $2.5 million spent. COMMUNICATIONS AND "JEWISH CHICAGO: THE JUF MAGAZINE" WORKS TO ENSURE JUF/FEDERATION MAINTAINS A STRONG PUBLIC PROFILE ACROSS TRADITIONAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA, SERVING EFFECTIVELY AS THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S JEWISH COMMUNITY AND BRINGING JUF'S MISSION TO LIFE. WITH AN AVERAGE MONTHLY CIRCULATION OF 40,000 HOMES, "JEWISH CHICAGO" IS THE LARGEST CIRCULATION JEWISH PUBLICATION IN THE CHICAGO AREA AND THE MIDWEST AND SPOTLIGHTS THE BREADTH, DEPTH, DIVERSITY, AND VITALITY OF CHICAGO'S JEWISH COMMUNITY. (Expenses $ 3,505,404 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 1,453,934) ISRAEL OFFICE AND OTHER PROGRAMS: THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS A SMALL OFFICE IN ISRAEL WITH FOUR EMPLOYEES. THE ISRAEL OFFICE EXPENSE AND EMPLOYEE SALARIES ARE PAID TO JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA, WHICH IS BASED IN NEW YORK, AND IS THE UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION FOR ALL JEWISH FEDERATIONS IN NORTH AMERICA. THE ISRAEL OFFICE COORDINATES EDUCATIONAL MISSIONS AND MONITORS ISRAELI PROGRAMS THAT ARE FUNDED BY JUF. JUF COORDINATES MISSIONS TO ISRAEL AND VARIOUS OTHER COUNTRIES IN ORDER TO GIVE DONORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL WITH OTHER CHICAGOANS TO JEWISH COMMUNITIES ALL OVER THE WORLD AND SEE JUF DOLLARS AT WORK. THE MISSIONS ALSO ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO VISIT WITH PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN ISRAEL AND OTHER COUNTRIES, EXPLORE FAMILY ROOTS AND LEARN ABOUT WORLDWIDE JEWISH CULTURE. MISSIONS GIVE PARTICIPANTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE FIRST-HAND WHAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE JEWISH PEOPLE WHEN OUR ENERGY AND RESOURCES ARE OPERATING AT FULL CAPACITY. JUF PAYS FOR CERTAIN MISSION TRAVEL EXPENSES AND THEN PARTICIPANTS REIMBURSE JUF FOR THE COSTS. THE REVENUE AND EXPENSES OF MISSIONS ARE REPORTED ON THE 990 ON A GROSS BASIS. (Expenses $ 757,462 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 10,370) COMMUNITY RELATIONS - THROUGH ITS SUPPORT OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL (JCRC), JUF COORDINATES THE COLLECTIVE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS AMONG 43 CONSTITUENT JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS/COMMUNITY RELATIONS WORK. JCRC EDUCATES AND MOBILIZES THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOR ACTION THROUGH JUF AND THOSE CONSTITUENT GROUPS ON INTERNAL AND DOMESTIC ISSUES RANGING FROM ISRAEL ADVOCACY TO COMBATTING ANTI-SEMITISM, AND WORKS TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY'S INTERGROUP RELATIONS (INTERFAITH, INTERETHNIC, ETC.). JCRC ACTIVITIES AND ENGAGEMENT TAKE PLACE WITH THE MEDIA, CAMPUSES, GOVERNMENT, FOREIGN DIPLOMATS AND RELIGIOUS AND CIVIC LEADERS.
- $3.5 million spent. ISRAEL OFFICE AND OTHER PROGRAMS: THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS A SMALL OFFICE IN ISRAEL WITH FOUR EMPLOYEES. THE ISRAEL OFFICE EXPENSE AND EMPLOYEE SALARIES ARE PAID TO JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA, WHICH IS BASED IN NEW YORK, AND IS THE UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION FOR ALL JEWISH FEDERATIONS IN NORTH AMERICA. THE ISRAEL OFFICE COORDINATES EDUCATIONAL MISSIONS AND MONITORS ISRAELI PROGRAMS THAT ARE FUNDED BY JUF. JUF COORDINATES MISSIONS TO ISRAEL AND VARIOUS OTHER COUNTRIES IN ORDER TO GIVE DONORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL WITH OTHER CHICAGOANS TO JEWISH COMMUNITIES ALL OVER THE WORLD AND SEE JUF DOLLARS AT WORK. THE MISSIONS ALSO ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO VISIT WITH PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN ISRAEL AND OTHER COUNTRIES, EXPLORE FAMILY ROOTS AND LEARN ABOUT WORLDWIDE JEWISH CULTURE. MISSIONS GIVE PARTICIPANTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE FIRST-HAND WHAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE JEWISH PEOPLE WHEN OUR ENERGY AND RESOURCES ARE OPERATING AT FULL CAPACITY. JUF PAYS FOR CERTAIN MISSION TRAVEL EXPENSES AND THEN PARTICIPANTS REIMBURSE JUF FOR THE COSTS. THE REVENUE AND EXPENSES OF MISSIONS ARE REPORTED ON THE 990 ON A GROSS BASIS.
- $757,462 spent. COMMUNITY RELATIONS - THROUGH ITS SUPPORT OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL (JCRC), JUF COORDINATES THE COLLECTIVE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS AMONG 43 CONSTITUENT JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS/COMMUNITY RELATIONS WORK. JCRC EDUCATES AND MOBILIZES THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOR ACTION THROUGH JUF AND THOSE CONSTITUENT GROUPS ON INTERNAL AND DOMESTIC ISSUES RANGING FROM ISRAEL ADVOCACY TO COMBATTING ANTI-SEMITISM, AND WORKS TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY'S INTERGROUP RELATIONS (INTERFAITH, INTERETHNIC, ETC.). JCRC ACTIVITIES AND ENGAGEMENT TAKE PLACE WITH THE MEDIA, CAMPUSES, GOVERNMENT, FOREIGN DIPLOMATS AND RELIGIOUS AND CIVIC LEADERS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1950.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.