Jewish Community Relations Council Minnesota & the Dakotas
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O.
- Income
- $4.8 million
- Spending
- $3.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 4.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 93%
- Employees
- 15
- Volunteers
- 158
- Highest pay
- $226,329, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 75 out of 100.
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 22% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 82 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2547 of 47 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
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 August 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)
- $1.2 million spent. COMMUNITY SECURITY - SEE SCHEDULE O.COMMUNITY SECURITY - AS NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ANTISEMITIC INCIDENTS CONTINUE TO MOTIVATE COMMUNITY LEADERS TO REASSESS AND ENHANCE SECURITY PROTOCOLS, THE JCRC WORKS WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS TO PROVIDE SECURITY GUIDANCE AND TO SERVE AS THE OFFICIAL JEWISH COMMUNITY LIAISON WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE JCRC IS DEDICATED TO SAFEGUARDING THE SECURITY AND WELLBEING OF INDIVIDUALS AND JEWISH COMMUNAL INSTITUTIONS. WE PROVIDE SECURITY AND RISK ASSESSMENTS, SAFETY RESPONSE EDUCATION, AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLANNING TO BOTH THE JEWISH AND NON-JEWISH COMMUNITIES. LOCALLY, THE JCRC HAS SEEN A STEADY RISE IN ANTISEMITIC INCIDENTS REPORTED TO ITS OFFICE SINCE 2015. IN RESPONSE, THE JCRC LISTENS TO THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO TAILOR COMMON SENSE AND PRAGMATIC ACTION PLANS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF A HIGHER LEVEL OF SECURITY AND VIGILANCE. THE JCRC HAS A FULL-TIME DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SECURITY AND A FULL-TIME DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SECURITY. THE JCRC ADVOCATES ON BEHALF OF VICTIMS OF RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION BY EDUCATING TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND BUSINESSES. THE JCRC ALSO SENSITIZES EDUCATORS AND BUSINESSES TO THE JEWISH CALENDAR. WHEN LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES, OR SCHOOLS SCHEDULE EVENTS ON JEWISH HOLIDAYS, THE JCRC IS THE PLACE PEOPLE TURN TO FOR HELP. WE CONNECT WITH SCHOOLS IN MINNESOTA AND THE DAKOTAS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE ABOUT RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY AND OBSERVANCES.TO INCREASE SECURITY FOR THE ENTIRE JEWISH COMMUNITY, JCRC SECURITY HAS IMPLEMENTED A COMMUNITY SECURITY PATROL WITH THREE JCRC BRANDED SECURITY VEHICLES. IN ADDITION TO SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY FOR LARGE OR HIGH-PROFILE EVENTS, THIS PATROL FOCUSES ON PROVIDING DIRECTED COVERAGE FOR THE JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY TO DETER CRIME AND ENSURE THE FACILITIES ARE SAFE. ALSO, THE JCRC HAS PARTNERED WITH SECURE COMMUNITY NETWORK (SCN) TO INTEGRATE AN INCIDENT REPORTING FORM. THIS PROCESS ALLOWS REPORTED ANTISEMITIC IMMEDIATE INTELLIGENCE ANALYST FOLLOW-UP AND DETAILED REPORTING TO JCRC SECURITY.
- $509,976 spent. HOLOCAUST EDUCATION - SEE SCHEDULE O. HOLOCAUST EDUCATION - THE JCRC HOLOCAUST EDUCATION PROGRAMS HIGHLIGHT THE NEED TO EDUCATE ABOUT THE DANGERS OF DISCRIMINATION, INCLUDING ANTISEMITISM, AS POTENTIAL SIGNS OF DEEPER HATRED AND SOCIAL PATHOLOGY. THE STORIES OF MINNESOTA HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS HELP DELIVER THIS EDUCATIONAL MESSAGE. EDUCATOR TRAINING IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR MISSION, AND WE OFFER TWO VITAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:THE POWER OF PLACE 2026 JCRC EDUCATOR EUROPEAN SUMMER INSTITUTEIN OUR WORLD TODAY, WE FEEL IT'S VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT TEACHERS VISIT AUTHENTIC, HISTORIC SITES WHERE THE HOLOCAUST HAPPENED; TO EXPERIENCE THE "POWER OF PLACE." THERE HAVE BEEN THREE PREVIOUS THE POWER OF PLACE TOURS WHICH TOOK PLACE IN 2023, 2024 AND 2025, AND ALL WERE A RESOUNDING SUCCESS. THE 2026 JCRC EUROPEAN TOUR WILL DEEPEN PARTICIPANT'S UNDERSTANDING OF WWII AND THE HOLOCAUST WITH FOCUSED TIME EXAMINING CURRICULUM AND RESOURCES. THE PROGRAM DESIGN WILL ENGAGE THE RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP OF LEADERS IN THE FIELD OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING, HISTORICAL THINKING, AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES. FOR 2026, WE ARE HONORED TO WELCOME THE ACCLAIMED EDUCATOR AND AUTHOR, ALEXANDRA ZAPRUDER, WHO WILL TRAVEL WITH US AS WE FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF SEVERAL YOUNG DIARISTS FEATURED IN HER RESEARCH AND BOOK, SALVAGED PAGES: YOUNG WRITERS' DIARIES OF THE HOLOCAUST. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2026 ITINERARY INCLUDE VILNA JUDAICA RESEARCH CENTER IN LITHUANIA, A VISIT TO THE MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM AUSCHWITZ BIRKENAU IN POLAND, AND A TOUR OF THE ANNE FRANK HOUSE IN THE NETHERLANDS. HOLOCAUST EDUCATORS COHORTTHE JCRC OFFERS FREE ZOOM CLASSES FOR TEACHERS TEACHING MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. (GRADES 6-12) THE OBJECTIVE OF THESE EIGHT CLASSES IS TO HELP STUDENTS UNDERSTAND HOW AND WHY THE HOLOCAUST HAPPENED. COHORT PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE NINE CURATED PRIMARY RESOURCE PACKETS WITH GOOGLE SLIDE DECKS FOR TEACHER INSTRUCTION, ALONG WITH STUDENT HANDOUTS AND WORKSHEETS. THE NINE PACKETS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING CLASS TOPICS: EUROPEAN JEWISH LIFE BEFORE WWII AND THE HOLOCAUST; ANTISEMITISM; RISE OF NAZISM; THE POWER OF PROPAGANDA; COLLABORATION & COMPLICITY IN THE HOLOCAUST; CHALLENGES OF ESCAPE; WANNSEE CONFERENCE AND "THE FINAL SOLUTION; RESCUE & RESISTANCE; AND AFTERMATH OF WWII AND THE HOLOCAUST. CEU CREDITS ARE GIVEN, AND EACH LESSON ALIGNS WITH MINNESOTA SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS.OUR PROGRAMS FOR THE COMMUNITY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:TRANSFER OF MEMORY TRANSFER OF MEMORY IS A TRAVELING PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION THAT INCORPORATES LOCAL PROGRAMMING INITIATIVES TO BRING THE STORIES OF MINNESOTA HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS TO LIFE. THIS EXHIBIT HAS REACHED OVER 205,000 PEOPLE SINCE 2011. IT HAS TRAVELED TO OVER 71 SITES SINCE ITS INCEPTION, RECEIVING MORE THAN TWO MILLION MEDIA IMPRESSIONS. THESE MEDIA IMPRESSIONS INCLUDE TELEVISION COVERAGE, RADIO SHOWS, BLOGS, AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLES, ALL SPEAKING TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LESSONS OF THE HOLOCAUST AS AN EXAMPLE OF AN UNCHECKED METASTASIS OF HATRED.HOLOCAUST EDUCATION SPEAKERS BUREAUCHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT GRANDCHILDREN WHO ARE DESCENDANTS OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS ARE PART OF OUR HOLOCAUST EDUCATION SPEAKERS BUREAU AND ARE PART OF A GROUP CALLED GENERATIONS AFTER MN-DAK, WHOSE MISSION IS TO ENSURE A COMMUNITY FOR CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS WHERE WE CAN SAFEGUARD THE IMPORTANCE OF CONNECTING, REMEMBERING AND SHARING OUR COLLECTIVE AND INDIVIDUAL HISTORIES, TEACH PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS ABOUT INTOLERANCE AND INDIFFERENCE, AND INSPIRE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND RESPECT. THIS GROUP JOINS OUR OTHER SPEAKERS AND PROVIDES PRESENTATIONS IN SCHOOLS ACROSS MINNESOTA AND THE DAKOTAS, AND BEYOND, TO EDUCATE AUDIENCES ABOUT PREJUDICE, HATE, AND DISCRIMINATION. OTHER HOLOCAUST EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE ONGOING HOLOCAUST EDUCATION EDUCATOR SEMINARS; THE ANNUAL TWIN CITIES YOM HASHOAH COMMEMORATION; THE ANNUAL TRIP TO THE UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM IN WASHINGTON D.C., INTERNATIONAL TRIPS TO EUROPE FOR HOLOCAUST EDUCATORS; AND COMMUNITY EVENTS WITH TOPICS THAT INCLUDE ANTISEMITISM, CROSS CULTURAL RELATIONS, AND HOLOCAUST HISTORY.
- $418,475 spent. COMMUNITY RELATIONS - SCHEDULE O.COMMUNITY RELATIONS - EACH YEAR THE JCRC PROVIDES HUNDREDS OF FREE PRESENTATIONS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, AND OTHER NON-JEWISH CIVIC GROUPS ON ISRAEL, JUDAISM, SECURITY, ANTISEMITISM, AND THE LESSONS OF THE HOLOCAUST. SIMILARLY, THROUGH OUR ANNUAL TRIP TO THE UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM IN WASHINGTON, D.C. FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE JCRC PROVIDES AN ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY RELATIONS SERVICE IN TEACHING THE IMPORTANCE OF TOLERANCE AND REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST. LIKEWISE, OUR DELEGATIONS TO ISRAEL BRING TOGETHER STATE LEGISLATORS AND OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS FROM LARGELY OUTSIDE THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOR A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EDUCATIONAL AND TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY. FINALLY, THE JCRC IS PROUD TO BE THE JEWISH REPRESENTATIVE WITHIN THE JOINT RELIGIOUS LEGISLATIVE COALITION (JRLC) WHERE WE COME TOGETHER WITH OUR CATHOLIC, PROTESTANT, AND MUSLIM COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO WORK FOR THE COMMON GOOD.
- $538,514 spent. SPEAKERS BUREAUOUR DEDICATED STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS GAVE 400 PRESENTATIONS THIS PAST YEAR, MAKING THE JCRC SPEAKERS BUREAU ONE OF THE MOST ACTIVE GRASSROOTS PROGRAMS OF ITS KIND IN THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMUNITY. OUR AUDIENCES INCLUDE ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, SYNAGOGUES, AND CIVIC GROUPS. OUR WORK HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED LOCALLY, NATIONALLY, AND INTERNATIONALLY AS A BEST PRACTICE. THE PRIMARY PRESENTATIONS ARE: JUDAISM ON ONE FOOT: AN INTRODUCTION TO JEWISH PEOPLEHOOD, BELIEFS AND PRACTICEWHO ARE JEWS? WHAT MAKES JUDAISM UNIQUE AMONG THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS? WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BOTH A RELIGION AND A PEOPLE? WE COVER THE BELIEFS, VALUES, AND RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS UPON WHICH JEWISH PEOPLEHOOD AND FAITH ARE BASED. THIS PROGRAM COVERS THE COMMON ROOTS OF THE 3 ABRAHAMIC FAITHS, INTRODUCTION TO TORAH, HOLIDAYS, RITUAL OBJECTS, ETHICAL PRINCIPLES, CONNECTION TO ISRAEL, JEWISH DIVERSITY, LIFE CYCLE EVENTS, DIET AND MORE.UNDERSTANDING JEWISH IDENTITY AND ANTISEMITISM TODAYHOW DO JEWS UNDERSTAND THEIR INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE IDENTITIES? WHAT IS ANTISEMITISM, AND HOW IS IT BOTH SIMILAR AND DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FORMS OF PREJUDICE? WHAT ARE THE HARMS THAT JEWISH PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING TODAY? HOW DOES ANTISEMITISM THREATEN OUR DEMOCRACY? EXPLORE THESE AND OTHER QUESTIONS IN A SESSION THAT PROVIDES SPACE FOR QUESTIONS, DISCUSSION, AND SUGGESTIONS FOR HOW TO BE AN ALLY. LIVING TESTIMONY FROM THE HOLOCAUSTTHE HOLOCAUST WAS THE SYSTEMATIC, STATE-SPONSORED PERSECUTION AND MURDER OF SIX MILLION JEWS BY THE NAZI REGIME, ITS ALLIES, AND COLLABORATORS. OUR HOLOCAUST EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS ARE OFFERED BY SURVIVORS, SECOND GENERATION OR THIRD GENERATION COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO REPRESENT THEIR FAMILY'S STORY, SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCE DURING THE WAR AND THE LARGER HISTORICAL CONTEXT.ISRAEL AND THE JEWISH STORYLEARN ABOUT A PLACE THAT REQUIRES YOU TO GRAPPLE WITH COMPLEXITY. WHY IS ISRAEL CENTRAL TO THE JEWISH STORY? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ALL THE ABRAHAMIC FAITHS? GAIN UNDERSTANDING FOR HOW THE MODERN STATE CAME TO BE AND FOR THE DIVERSE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE ISRAELIS. AS WELL, EXPLORE WHAT HAPPENED IN ISRAEL ON OCTOBER 7, 2023, AND ITS ONGOING IMPACT. A TRIP TO POST-OCTOBER 7TH ISRAELTOLD THROUGH PICTURES, LEARN THE STORIES OF 5 ISRAELIS FROM THAT DAY AND IN THE TIME SINCE, TOLD BY SOMEONE WHO KNOWS AND LOVES THEM.MAKING SENSE OF THE MIDDLE EASTDESIGNED TO HELP PARTICIPANTS GRASP THE REALITIES OF THE MIDDLE EAST WITH CLARITY AND EMPATHY, THIS TALK EXPLORES THE OVERARCHING NARRATIVES OF BOTH ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN SOCIETIES, ISRAEL'S CENTRAL ROLE IN JEWISH IDENTITY, THE RISE IN GLOBAL ANTISEMITISM, AND THE DIFFICULTIES OF MAKING SENSE OF THIS OFTEN-MISUNDERSTOOD REGION.BEST SAFETY & SECURITY PRACTICES FOR HOUSES OF WORSHIP AND FAITH BASED COMMUNITY CENTERSLEARN BEST PRACTICES IN PROTECTING YOUR PEOPLE AND PROPERTY INCLUDING COMBATTING ACTIVE THREATS, FIRST AID/STOP THE BLEED, BEHAVIORAL DETECTION AND CYBER SAFETY. TWIN CITIES JEWISH COMMUNITY GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMINITIATED IN 2001 AND GENEROUSLY FUNDED BY THE MINNEAPOLIS JEWISH FEDERATION AND THE ST. PAUL JEWISH FEDERATION, THE TWIN CITIES JEWISH COMMUNITY GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM (JGAP) REPRESENTS THE INTERESTS OF THE TWIN CITIES JEWISH COMMUNITY BEFORE THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. SINCE ITS INCEPTION, JGAP HAS SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED FOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN GOVERNMENT FUNDS TO SUPPORT VULNERABLE MINNESOTANS.ISRAEL EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENTTHE JCRC ADVOCATES FOR PEACE AND SECURITY FOR ISRAEL THROUGH EDUCATION, CONNECTION, AND COMMUNITY ACTION. OUR STAFF, BOARD, AND VOLUNTEERS STRIVE TO FOSTER UNDERSTANDING AND CONVERSATION ABOUT ISRAEL'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ITS CHALLENGES. ISRAEL EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES INCLUDE:- ADVOCATING FOR A STRONG U.S.-ISRAEL RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS;- BUILDING AND SUSTAINING SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL IN NON-JEWISH COMMUNITIES;- ENSURING THAT MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE MIDDLE EAST IS FAIR AND ACCURATE;- ORGANIZING STUDY TOURS TO ISRAEL FOR MINNESOTA STATE LEGISLATORS AND OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS;- EDUCATING, ORGANIZING AND ENERGIZING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY BY DEVELOPING AND DEEPENING TIES TO ISRAELIS; AND- COMBATTING THE BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT, AND SANCTIONS MOVEMENT WHICH SEEKS TO DELEGITIMIZE ISRAEL'S EXISTENCE.FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4D, TOTAL OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES DESCRIBED ABOVE:
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 October 13, 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 August 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 May 1963.
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 October 21, 2026.
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