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Hillel the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life

EIN 52-1758791 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 11% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

Hillel of Colorado seeks to engage, empower, and work with Jewish college students to create Jewish communities at University of Denver, Colorado State University, Auraria Campus, Colorado School of Mines and other front range Universities. Hillel provides the opportunities for Jewish students to explore their Jewish identity. We build a Jewish community whose values enrich the lives of students during their college years and beyond.

Income
$924,703
Spending
$939,633
Spent on programs
11%
Reserves
12.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
8
Volunteers
80
Highest pay
$147,784, executive director

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

Good: 78 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes -0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    11% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 41 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

Good: 76 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $56,770 spent. Observance: Hillel attempts to maximize the number of students having meaningful Jewish experiences. Hillel provides Jewish opportunities that offer a broad spectrum of choices for Jewish experiences that aim toward strengthening ownership of the Jewish experience. The diversity and balance of the opportunities are reflective of the resources available and the interests of the Jewish student population. Hillel expresses the value of pluralism and meets the needs of diverse alternatives to the established denominations for spiritual expression with Shabbat and holiday experiences. Religious needs are met on campus and through cooperation with off-campus institutions.
  2. $16,659 spent. Engagement Programming: Engagement programming is designed to ensure that student's are provided with diverse opportunities to express their Jewish identity. Hillel's goal is to meet the students where they are at, both physically and emotionally. We create multiple entry points for them to explore and celebrate their Judaism. In order to be successful, Hillel staff and student leaders emphasize one-on-one relationship building and creation of peer network engagement groups that focus on specific interest areas. Activities include: BBQ's, cooking series, community service, Israel advocacy, leadership development, rock climbing, ski trips, outdoor adventures, Jewish education, etc.
  3. $13,959 spent. Leadership Programming: Hillel of Colorado seeks to engage leaders on all three campuses by putting them in charge of their own destiny for all programming aspects including observance, engagement, education and advocacy. Opportunities are available for them to participate in Hillel International training programs as well as on campus forums. It is the student board who makes decisions about where programming will take them each semester and quarter.
  4. $19,209 spent. Education and Advocacy: Holocaust Awareness, Israel Education, Jewish Education, Birthright Trips, Social Justice, Intern Mentoring in the community, Sustainability, Interfaith Programming and Niche Programs. These are at both of our campuses and actively involve the Hillel staff and student volunteers along with Jewish Education, Wellness and General Supplies.

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? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 December 1993.

    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.