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Jewish Community Centers of Chicago

EIN 36-2167758 · Northbrook, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

JCC Chicago is building community, supporting individuals and families, and growing hope through Jewish connections for everyone.

Income
$48.3 million
Spending
$45.2 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 66%
Employees
1,801
Volunteers
160
Highest pay
$549,099, president/chief executive officer

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

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 65% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    30 of 31 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.

  • 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 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)
  1. $14.6 million spent. Early Childhood - JCC Chicago's Early Childhood program is offered at seven sites throughout metropolitan Chicago and the suburbs to provide an excellent educational foundation for over 500 children ages six weeks to four years. The Early Childhood program offers year-round care and both full-day and half-day preschool.
  2. $11.2 million spent. Day Camp - JCC Chicago Day Camp programming is offered at nine locations throughout Chicagoland, serving approximately 4,000 children ages three through thirteen. Day Camps operate during the summer months for sessions ranging from one to eight weeks. Day Camp enables children to discover and expand their interests through various activities, and create friendships with others all in a safe environment.
  3. $5.0 million spent. Overnight Chi - JCC Chicago's overnight camp, Camp Chi takes place on a 600-acre campus in Lake Delton, Wisconsin. Camp Chi provides a complete co-ed overnight camping experience for 1,350 youth and teens ages seven to sixteen, offering endless opportunities to campers to explore new interests and build upon individual skills through various activities. Camp Chi sessions run during the summer months between mid-June and mid-August.
  4. $3.7 million spent. Community Engagement - JCC Chicago offers a variety of low cost engagement programs and activities for the community. These programs include cultural and educational programs including Chicago Jewish Film Festival and Community Wednesdays, fitness memberships, swim programs, teen programs including year round youth and school clubs.
  5. $1.1 million spent. Perlstein Retreat Center - The Perlstein Resort and Conference Center located in Lake Delton, Wisconsin, adjacent to JCC Camp Chi, is JCC Chicago's premier destination for families, groups, businesses and individuals throughout the Midwest, providing programming, accommodations and meaningful events for guests.

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 November 1923.

    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.

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.