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Hillel the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life

EIN 39-2035142 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak43 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HILLEL, THE JEWISH STUDENT CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON, SERVES OVER 5,000 JEWISH STUDENTS AND FACULTY. HILLEL PROVIDES A HOME AND SUPPORT TO VARIOUS INDEPENDENT STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS. EVERY EXPRESSION OF JEWISH LIFE IS REPRESENTED: RELIGIOUS, CULTURAL, POLITICAL, TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE. HILLEL ENABLES UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN JEWISH STUDENTS TO HAVE A VOICE IN THEIR COMMUNITY - ONE THAT HELPS THEM MAINTAIN THEIR TIES TO JUDAISM.

Income
$4.0 million
Spending
$3.6 million
Spent on programs
52%
Reserves
-6.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 46%
Employees
86
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$270,119, 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: 43 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    52% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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 85% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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 (1)
  1. $1.8 million spent. STUDENT PROGRAM:WE PROVIDE THE SPACE AND FACILITY FOR STUDENTS TO SOCIALIZE, STUDY, GAIN LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND COORDINATE STUDENT-LED PROGRAMS WHILE ON CAMPUS. WE PROVIDE ADVISORY SUPPORT FOR VARIOUS STUDENT GROUPS EACH YEAR AND OFFER FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THEIR PROGRAMS. THIS INCLUDES SOCIAL ACTION PROGRAMMING, SOCIAL PROGRAMMING, EDUCATION PROGRAMMING, AND SKILL BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES. HILLEL PROVIDES NEARLY 400 PROGRAMS AND MEETINGS EACH ACADEMIC YEAR. IN ADDITION, HILLEL SERVES AS A WATCHDOG TO REVIEW, MONITOR AND WHEN NECESSARY RESPOND TO ISSUES RELATED TO CAMPUS CLIMATE AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS ISSUES.JEWISH LEARNING AND HOLIDAYS:THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 5,000 JEWISH STUDENTS ON THE CAMPUS. WE PROVIDE SERVICES AND MEALS, AND PROGRAMS RELATED TO JEWISH HOLIDAYS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL JEWISH STUDENTS. INCLUDES STAFF TIME, MATERIALS AND MEALS. THESE ARE CONSERVATIVE AND REFORM STYLE SERVICES AND INCLUDE PRE AND POST HOLIDAY MEALS. ALL OTHER JEWISH HOLIDAYS DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR ARE CELEBRATED, STAFFED AND PROGRAMMED IN A SIMILAR MANNER. SHABBAT HOLIDAY AND MEALS:PROVIDE KOSHER MEAL PROGRAM AND FESTIVE HOLIDAY AND SHABBAT MEALS TO STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE ACADEMIC YEAR. WE SERVE NEARLY 125 STUDENTS FOR THE WEEKLY FRIDAY NIGHT SHABBAT DINNER AND PROVIDE FOOD FOR EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES OF OUR STUDENT GROUPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. HILLEL PROVIDES NEARLY 400 PROGRAMS AND MEETINGS EACH ACADEMIC YEAR. FOOD SERVICE:HILLEL RUNS A KOSHER CAFE TO PROVIDE QUALITY AND OFTEN ORGANIC AND LOCAL FOOD THAT HAPPENS TO BE KOSHER. WE PREPARE MEALS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS THAT ARE KOSHER ON THE CAMPUS AND IN THE COMMUNITY. THE CAFE IS A FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT WHERE STUDENTS COME TO STUDY AND SOCIALIZE. IT IS A KEY PART OF OUR PROGRAM WHERE STUDENTS CAN GATHER AND FRIENDSHIPS CAN BE MADE.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2016.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.