Jewish Council on Urban Affairs
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Jewish Council on Urban Affair's (JCUA) longstanding mission is to combat poverty, racism and antisemitism working in partnership with diverse communities. JCUA uses a community organizing model to engage the Jewish community in the collective pursuit of social justice.
- Income
- $1.6 million
- Spending
- $1.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 66%
- Reserves
- 17.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 71%
- Employees
- 21
- Volunteers
- 500
- Highest pay
- $134,312, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 17.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 19% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 25% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1566% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2519 of 19 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 2024, 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)
- $1.0 million spent. Community Organizing: JCUA partners with community-based organizations on a grassroots level to bring about systemic change. Current organizing campaigns and coalitions in which JCUA is involved are focusing on housing and homelessness, community safety, and immigration justice. JCUA's commitment to combatting racism and antisemitism are priorities within this work.
- Youth Engagement: The Or Tzedek Teen Internship and College-aged Fellowship year-long programs train youth in the JCUA model of addressing systemic issues of inequality from a root-cause approach; strengthening civic engagement as a core aspect of Jewish identity; and providing youth with community-organizing skills. Through the programs, youth deepen their identities as compassionate and civically engaged leaders.
- Community Investment: JCUA's Community Ventures Program provides zero-interest pre-development loans for affordable housing, economic development, and job creation projects across this city. Individuals and institutions participate in this program through granted and loaned funds to the revolving loan fund. Funds are made available through an application process as zero-interest loans primarily to nonprofits.
- Basebuilding: JCUA works to deepen the strategic impact of its members and grow the base. Through the Kol Or Jews of Color Caucus, leadership development initiatives, full-day trainings, issue committee participation, the congregation partner network, and various programs, JCUA members work together to advance a more just and equitable city and state.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.
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 1966.
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.