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The Roanoke Jewish Federation

EIN 54-1082297 · Roanoke, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceFair64 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ROANOKE JEWISH FEDERATION IS TO FURTHER THE WELFARE OF THE GREATER ROANOKE JEWISH COMMUNITY, TO FURTHER THE PHILANTHROPIC, SOCIAL, CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS NEEDS OF JEWISH AND NON-JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS, TO SOLICIT, COLLECT AND OTHERWISE RAISE FUNDS FOR PHILATHROPIC, SOCIAL, CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND RELIGIOUS PURPOSES, TO DISTRIBUTE THE FUNDS RAISED TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, TO FOSTER THE COOPERATION OF LOCAL JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS, AND TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORT OF AND IN RESPONSE TO ISSUES OF JEWISH CONCERN.

Income
$278,093
Spending
$192,329
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
39.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 39.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 December 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 (1)
  1. $175,404 spent. There are 2 Jewish religious schools in Roanoke, VA, one at Temple Emanuel and one at Beth Israel Synagogue - The Temple Emanuel SHALOM school and the Beth Israel Synagogue, Jane T Black Religious School. The schools develop and maintain the Jewish identity of their students, create a foundation of life-long learning and foster a sense of Klal Israel in the students. The SHALOM school at Temple Emanuel has two levels: elementary grades pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade and the Academy for grades 6 through 12. The elementary curriculum encompasses Hebrew with a concentration on reading skills and prayers, Torah lessons with a focus on values, holidays with an emphasis on rituals and their meanings, and mitzvot such as tzedakah and other values. Extracurricular activities include music, library, art and cooking. In addition, there are programs for holidays and special events. The Academy has the students engage in a course on Comparative Religion, and a program for discussions on Israel and other current events. Beth Israel Synagogue operates its religious program under the umbrella of the Jane T Black Religious School. The Black School is an educational entity tasked with the education of children between the ages of 5 and Bnai Mitzvah, as well as an associated JELI teen program in Hebrew, Jewish customs and traditions, and instilling a positive association with their Jewish identities. The overall goal of the program is to support a positive association with the students Jewish identity, while preparing them in the basics of Hebrew, Jewish customs and traditions, and in eventual Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on October 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2011.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 December 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 January 2012.

    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 October 21, 2026.

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