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Harry and Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center Inc

EIN 39-0806234 · Milwaukee, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION: CREATING SPACES. BUILDING OPPORTUNTIES. INSPIRING JEWISH MOMENTS FOR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES. COMMITTED TO SERVING THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY WITH INCLUSIVE JEWISH SPIRIT, AN INNOVATIVE CHARGE, AND A COMMITMENT TO BEING HERE AT EVERY STAGE OF YOUR JOURNEY.

Income
$19.6 million
Spending
$20.9 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
-1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 74%
Employees
596
Volunteers
320
Highest pay
$458,873, president/ceo

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: 44 out of 100. Higher than 16% 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

    10 of 20

    It owes 48% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

    31 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 (4)
  1. $6.3 million spent. EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT - THE JCC'S EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM STRIVES TO PROVIDE A HAPPY AND RELAXED LEARNING SITUATION THAT EMPHASIZES THE PROCESS OF LEARNING AND THE PLEASURE OF DISCOVERY. AS A DIVERSE COMMUNITY, WE CREATE CONNECTIONS THAT ENRICH OUR EVERYDAY LIVING AND LEARNING. OUR DEDICATED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS ARE CONTINUALLY ENHANCING OUR RICH PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE INSPIRED BY JEWISH TRADITION AND VALUES, STRENGTHENED BY ACTIVE PARENT INVOLVEMENT. WE BUILD TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS THAT SUPPORT EACH CHILD'S INDIVIDUALITY, CREATIVITY AND POTENTIAL.
  2. $4.5 million spent. CAMP ACTIVITIES - CAMP INTERLAKEN, LOCATED IN EAGLE RIVER, WISCONSIN, OFFERS AN INCOMPARABLE JEWISH SUMMER EXPERIENCE FOR CAMPERS AND STAFF. JCC DAY CAMPS, LOCATED IN FREDONIA, WISCONSIN, OFFERS A RANGE OF FUN AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AGES 5-14. SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT AND SPECIAL PROGRAMMING IS AVAILABLE FOR DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN. BOTH CAMPS FOSTER ENDURING RELATIONSHIPS, A LOVE OF JEWISH COMMUNITY AND A CONNECTION TO ISRAEL WHILE PROMOTING INDIVIDUAL GROWTH, LEARNING AND FUN.
  3. $2.8 million spent. HEALTH, AQUATICS, RECREATION AND FITNESS - THE JCC IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE BEST PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH. OUR GOAL IS TO HELP MEMBERS ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN HEALTHY LIFE-LONG HABITS THAT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIVES.
  4. $4.4 million spent. OTHER PROGRAMS - THE JCC OPERATES A FOOD PANTRY PROVIDING FOOD ASSISTANCE TO OVER 22,000 INDIVIDUALS, LIVING IN THREE MILWAUKEE ZIP CODES RANKED 'LOW' ON THE HEALTH EQUITY INDEX. AN INITIATIVE, "FOOD AS MEDICINE" TRANSFORMS EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE INTO A TOOL FOR LONG-TERM WELLNESS. THE JCC ALSO OPERATES PROGRAMS SERVING SENIORS AND INCLUSION PROGRAM FOR DISABLED POPULATIONS, SERVING SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

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 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 June 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 January 1949.

    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.