Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Assist Jewish Immigrants from Eastern Europe and their families
- Income
- $1.8 million
- Spending
- $1.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- -1.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $52,602, president & secretary
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 23% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 23% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
5 of 252 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 September 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 (11)
- $249,837 spent. Community Center on Devon serves greater Chicago with services, classes and events. approx. 50 people attend various daily activities, 250 people come to events at least once a week, and over 600 people come to events from time tot time.
- $231,992 spent. Community Center in Riverwoods IL serves northern suburbs with services, classes and events. Approx. 20 people attend various daily activities, 150 people come to events at least once a week, and over 800 people come to events from time to time.
- $226,045 spent. Around the Year Heritage Programs ranging from simple services to elaborate holiday celebrations and attracting from 20 to 800 at a single Holiday event.
- $143,756 spent. Publications (monthly Russian language newspaper & annual calendar 3000-6000 each), books and brochures
- $124,919 spent. Pastoral Services - performing circumcisions, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, weddings & funerals, counselling etc.
- $132,850 spent. Education - classes for adults and seniors to teach basics of Judaism and transitioning to life in America
- $25,850 spent. Cultural events, concerts, and lectures - frequent events attract up to 150 attendees
- $112,722 spent. Youth programs including Sunday School
- $148,032 spent. Scholarships & Grants - awarded to schools, camps and other institutions to subsidize services for needy and immigrants
- $21,972 spent. Emergency Aid to Indigents
- $13,661 spent. Misc. other
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 2025.
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 March 1979.
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.