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Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit

EIN 38-1359214 · Bloomfield Hills, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF DETROIT IS THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR JEWISH COMMUNITY. WE ARE COMMITTED TO TAKING CARE OF THE NEEDS OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE AND BUILDING A STRONG AND VIBRANT JEWISH FUTURE, IN DETROIT, IN ISRAEL AND AROUND THE WORLD.

Income
$62.0 million
Spending
$64.5 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
126
Volunteers
800
Highest pay
$518,375, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 63% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    172 of 173 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 May 31, 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 (4)
  1. $32.0 million spent. DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS TO QUALIFIED 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE THE JEWISH COMMUNITY LOCALLY, REPRESENTED BY OUR 16 AFFILIATED AGENCIES.
  2. $12.7 million spent. DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS TO QUALIFIED 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OVERSEAS, INCLUDING JEWISH FEDERATION OF NORTH AMERICA, JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL AND THE AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE, AND OTHER OVERSEAS ORGANIZATIONS.
  3. $2.7 million spent. DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS TO OTHER QUALIFIED 501(C)3 ORGANIZATIONS.
  4. $11.7 million spent. INCLUDES EXPENSES RELATED TO DIRECT PROGRAM SERVICES THAT SUPPORT OUR LOCAL AFFILIATED AGENCIES. IN ADDITION, INCLUDES MISSION EXPENSES TO FOSTER BETTER RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 May 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 August 1969.

    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.