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Hebrew Seminary of the Deaf

EIN 36-3821488 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE ADVANCED JUDAIC EDUCATION FOR THE JEWISH DEAF AND HEARING COMMUNITY AND TO PREPARE CANDIDATES FOR RABBINICAL ORDINATION.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$829,000
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
32.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
10
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$52,369, president

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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 32.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes -0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 66% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 791% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Fair: 65 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (1)
  1. $697,253 spent. HEBREW SEMINARY IS A PLURALISTIC, EGALITARIAN RABBINICAL SCHOOL THAT EDUCATES PEOPLE TO BECOME RABBIS AND PARARABBIS FOR JEWISH AND MULTI-FAITH COMMUNITIES. HEBREW SEMINARY WAS FOUNDED IN 1992 TO MEET THE SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF THE JEWISH DEAF AND HEARING, AS WELL AS OTHER UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. OUR CURRICULUM IS GROUNDED IN BIBLE, HEBREW AND TALMUD, AND INCORPORATES JEWISH ETHICS AND HISTORY. OUR ONLINE COURSES ATTRACT A DIVERSE STUDENT BODY FROM ACROSS NORTH AMERICA. WHILE ALL REQUIRED COURSEWORK FOR OUR PROGRAMS CAN BE COMPLETED ONLINE, WE ALSO HOST LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ONSITE IN CHICAGO. THE RABBINIC PROGRAM IS A 5-YEAR COURSE OF STUDY FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS, AND THE PARARABBINIC PROGRAM IS A 2-YEAR COURSE OF STUDY FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS. OUR GRADUATES SERVE AS CONGREGATIONAL RABBIS, SPIRITUAL COUNSELORS. PROFESSORS, EDUCATION DIRECTORS, HILLEL DIRECTORS AND CHAPLAINS, AT UNIVERSITIES, HOSPITALS AND MORE.

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

  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 November 6, 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 September 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 July 1993.

    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 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.