Hillel the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 46% 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
Our mission is to enrich the lives of Northern Virginia undergraduate and graduate students, including such students at George Mason University ("GMU") and working towards the betterment of Jewish life at GMU, in Northern Virginia and throughout the Commonwealth.
- Income
- $608,865
- Spending
- $462,966
- Spent on programs
- 47%
- Reserves
- 10.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 92%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $120,597, 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
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 58% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1546% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 74 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2523 of 23 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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)
- $7,757 spent. Shabbat Dinners - Held every other week during the academic year. Mason Hillel provides a full Kosher catered Shabbat meal to students so that they can celebrate the Day of Rest with other Jewish GMU students. Approximately 100 students participated throughout the year.
- $8,472 spent. Engagement Programs - Mason Hillel uses relationship-based engagement methodologies to run a series of programs geared at engaging the community in social opportunities.
- $122,177 spent. Mason Hillel Israel Programs - Mason Hillel plans and runs a trip to Israel for non-Jewish students to explore the region, hear from diverse perspectives, and learn about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. This trip was cancelled due to conflicts in the region, and Mason Hillel paid back the grant amount to the funder after paying the tour company lost funds. In addition, Mason Hillel hosts programs on campus for students to explore Israel and engage in conversation about the beauty and complexity of the region.
- $76,818 spent. All other program services, including professional development programs, Jewish classes and Holiday experiences.
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
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? 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.