Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

The Lee County Jewish Federation Inc

EIN 59-2668992 · Fort Myers, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF LEE AND CHARLOTTE COUNTIES IS TO PROVIDE AND SUPPORT PHILANTHROPIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE SUCH JEWISH VALUES AS TZEDAKAH (BENEVOLENCE), TIKKUN OLAN (REPAIRING THE WORLD), AND K'LAL YISRAEL (TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONE ANOTHER) IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN AND ENRICH THE JEWISH COMMUNITY LOCALLY, IN ISRAEL, AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

Income
$911,130
Spending
$939,081
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
7
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$125,131, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 51 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 89 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 2024, 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 (3)
  1. $342,953 spent. JEWISH LIFE: THE PROGRAM ALLOWS FOR THE EXPLORATION OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY THROUGH COMMUNITY BREAKFASTS, THE J-FED SOCIAL CLUB, THE TRIBE (EVENTS FOR ADULTS IN THEIR 30S AND 40S), HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE PROGRAM, LSRAELFEST, AND SMALL ONGOING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS BBYO, MAH JONGG, JEWISH WAR VETERANS, ISRAELI DANCING.
  2. $141,794 spent. JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES: EXISTS TO FULFILL ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT JEWISH VALUES: TIKKUM OLAN, THE OBLIGATION TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE. THEY PROVIDE VITAL SERVICES TO THOSE IN NEED THROUGH THE FOOD PANTRY, MARCIA CAN HELP, AND SENIOR LUNCH BRUNCH.
  3. $83,850 spent. L'CHAYIM: MONTHLY PUBLICATION TO KEEP JEWISH COMMUNITY INFORMED ABOUT LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL JEWISH ISSUES. ARTICLES ARE SUBMITTED BY THE JEWISH CLERGY, LAY LEADERS IN LEE AND CHARLOTTE COUNTIES, BOARD MEMBERS, AND STAFF. THE "GLUE" THAT KEEPS THE ARTICLES TOGETHER IS THE ADVERTISING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1986.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.