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Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines

EIN 42-0835321 · Waukee, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER DES MOINES IS TO FURTHER THE CONTINUITY AND WELFARE OF THE DES MOINES, AMES, AND OTHER CENTRAL IOWA JEWISH COMMUNITIES, AND TO ENABLE THESE JEWISH COMMUNITIES TO MAXIMIZE THEIR RESOURCES BY FACILITATING THE COORDINATION OF THE PHILANTHROPIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND CULTURAL ACTIVITES OF THE CONGREGATIONS, FEDERATION PILLARS, DONORS AND VOLUNTEERS; AND TO SUPPORT FINANCIALLY THE REQUISITE PROGRAMS TO FULFILL ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO ISRAEL AND WORLD JEWRY.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 68%
Employees
74
Volunteers
161
Highest pay
$160,000, executive dir.

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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    26 of 26 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 (6)
  1. $753,951 spent. THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER DES MOINES SUPPORTS AND COORDINATES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IN THE CENTRAL IOWA AREA. EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED FOR BOTH SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN AND ADULTS.
  2. $597,945 spent. THE ORGANIZATION OWNS AND OPERATES THE CASPE TERRACE IN WAUKEE, IOWA. THE BUILDING IS USED TO HOLD EVENTS AND PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT AND RAISE AWARENESS FOR THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IN CENTRAL IOWA.
  3. $232,184 spent. THE ORGANIZATION FURTHERED THE WELFARE OF THE DES MOINES, AMES, AND OTHER CENTRAL IOWA JEWISH COMMUNITIES AND FINANCIALLY SUPPORTED THE REQUISITE PROGRAMS TO FULFILL ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO ISRAEL AND WORLD JEWRY. IT COORDINATED PHILANTHROPIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES THROUGH THE MANAGEMENT, SUPERVISION, AND CONTROL OF EXISTING JEWISH AGENCIES; FOSTERED COOPERATION AMONG ALL JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY; ENGAGED IN PHILANTHROPIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES THROUGH THE MANAGEMENT, SUPERVISION, AND CONTROL OF EXISTING JEWISH AGENCIES; CONSIDERED, PLANNED, AND DEALT WITH THE SOCIAL NEEDS OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY; COORDINATED JEWISH FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES IN THE COMMUNITY BY RAISING, COLLECTING, AND DISTRIBUTING FUNDS FOR PHILANTHROPIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND CULTURAL PURPOSES FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF LOCAL COMMUNAL AGENCIES AND UNITED JEWISH APPEAL.
  4. $191,990 spent. THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY WORKS TO PRESERVE THE STORY OF JEWISH HISTORY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THE SOCIETY OFFERS NUMEROUS EXHIBITS WITH ARTIFACTS AND MEMORABILIA REPRESENTING THE LIVES OF JEWISH IOWANS.
  5. $191,317 spent. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES AN ANNUAL SUMMER CAMP AT CASPE TERRACE. THE CAMP'S MAIN FOCUS IS TO OFFER CHILDREN OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE WHILE MAKING FRIENDS AND MEMORIES IN A SAFE, SECURE ENVIRONMENT WHILE GROWING AND LEARNING TOGETHER.
  6. $107,956 spent. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS SUPPORT SERVICES TO SENIORS, IMMIGRANTS, AS WELL AS OTHERS IN NEED IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY. FOOD, MEDICAL CARE, TRANSLATING NEEDS, AND OTHER SERVICES ARE PROVIDED OR FUNDED BY THE ORGANIZATION.

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 February 1954.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Greater Miami Jewish Federation (Miami, FL), EIN 59-0624404. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.