Jewish Family Service
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE IS TO TRANSFORM LIVES BY EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES -- DRIVEN BY COMPASSION, LEADING THROUGH INNOVATION, GUIDED BY JEWISH VALUES.
- Income
- $12.9 million
- Spending
- $12.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 2.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 88%
- Employees
- 121
- Volunteers
- 459
- Highest pay
- $298,656, chief executive officer
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
Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 34% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2541 of 41 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
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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 (4)
- $1.8 million spent. BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (BMHS): A PREMIERE RESOURCE IN HOUSTON FOR MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, ALEXANDER JFS PROVIDES TRAUMA AND OTHER THERAPEUTIC MODALITY THERAPY TO ADULTS: INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND COUPLES WITH GREATER ACCESS DUE TO THE AVAILABILITY OF A SLIDING FEE SCALE; COMMUNITY INTERVENTION PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES TO REDUCE STIGMAS ASSOCIATED WITH SEEKING HELP, TO HELP PREVENT SUICIDE AND SUBSTANCE MISUSE AND TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE NATIONAL 988 MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS HOTLINE. THE AGENCY IS FREQUENTLY CALLED UPON WHEN SCHOOLS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS EXPERIENCE A SUICIDE OR TRAGIC DEATH. AN ACTIVE MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING DIVISION HELPS ADULTS AND ADULTS WHO SPECIFICALLY WORK WITH YOUTH IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN INDIVIDUALS TO BE ABLE TO INTERVENE AND PROVIDE RESOURCES. CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM PROVIDES COUNSELING SERVICES TO CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND TEENS WITH SPECIALIZED ENVIRONMENTS DESIGNED FOR EACH AGE GROUP. A WIDE VARIETY OF AVAILABLE SUPPORT GROUPS LEVERAGE THE ABILITY TO SEE MORE CLIENTS AND REDUCE WAITING FOR SERVICES. THE AGENCY MAINTAINS ACTIVE PROGRAMS FOR SUPPORTING THOSE ENTERING THE FIELD, FROM MASTERS LEVEL STUDENT INTERNSHIPS, FELLOWSHIP SUPERVISION AND PLAY THERAPY TRAINING.
- $5.2 million spent. COACHING AND CASE MANAGEMENT (CCM) SERVICES: DISASTER SERVICES PROVIDES LONG-TERM RECOVERY CASE MANAGEMENT FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY DISASTERS, INCLUDING ASSESSMENTS, ACCESSING FINANCIAL AND OTHER RESOURCES, INTENSIVE COACHING AND CASE MANAGEMENT, DEVELOPING RECOVERY PLANS AND SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THE RECOVERY PROCESS; CCM SERVES SENIOR ADULTS WITH SERVICES THAT FOCUS ON ASSESSMENT, COACHING AND CASE MANAGEMENT, PROVIDING ACCESS TO COUNSELING, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT AUGMENT THE ABILITY OF SENIORS TO MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE, REDUCE EXPOSURE TO FALLS AND HOSPITALIZATION AND PROVIDE FOOD SECURITY. OUTREACH TO REDUCE ISOLATION AND ACCOMPANYING RISK FACTORS SUCH AS DEPRESSION INCLUDES FRIENDLY VISITORS AND A MUSIC AND SPIRIT PROGRAM. AGENCY STAFF LIAISONS SERVE HUD SENIOR HOUSING FACILITIES. FINANCIAL STABILITY SERVICES PROVIDES CLIENTS ONGOING OR EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, SUCH AS "ALICE" (ASSET LIMITED INCOME CONTRAINED EMPLOYED) CLIENTS, SENIORS ON FIXED INCOMES, FAMILIES AND CHILDREN EXPERIENCING UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES, HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS, AND THOSE WITH PERSISTENT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. CCM HELPS FAMILIES STABALIZE FROM EMERGENCY FINANCIAL CRISIS BY OFFERING FINANCIAL LITERACY COACHING WITH THE UW THRIVE MODEL. FAMILIES WITH INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES SEEK GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES FROM THE CCM DISABILITY CASE MANAGER TO NAVIGATE VARIOUS STATES OF LIFE FOR THEIR LOVED ONE. CCM ALSO SERVES AS A KEY REFERRAL PARTNER IN SW HOUSTON FOR HUNDREDS OF HOUSTONIANS SEEKING HELP THROUGH UW'S 211 HELPLINE.
- $2.3 million spent. DISABILITY SERVICES: PROVIDES DIRECT SERVICES IN THE AREAS OF EMPLOYMENT, LIFE SKILLS AND SOCIALIZATION AND ACCESS OF RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH A FULL SPECTRUM OF DISABILITIES, USING PERSON CENTERED BEST PRACTICE APPROACHES. CELEBRATION COMPANY IS AN ON-SITE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES. IN ADDITION TO DIRECT SERVICES TO TRANSITION AGE YOUTH (14 - 22) AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES, THE JFS ALEXANDER INSTITUTE FOR INCLUSION IS THE ADVOCACY DIVISION FOR LOWERING STIGMAS RELATED TO DISABILITIES IN THE WORKPLACE, PLACES OF FAITH AND COMMUNAL ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH DIRECT SERVICE, EDUCATION, ARTS AND ADVOCACY. WORKSHOPS ARE OFFERED TO COMPANIES FOR THIS PURPOSE; A SIGNATURE FILM AND ARTS FESTIVAL, REELABILITIES, IS PRODUCED EACH YEAR IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
- CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT CENTER PROVIDES A BROAD ARRAY OF SERVICES AND WORKSHOPS THAT PROMOTE JOB READINESS FOR INDIVIDUALS OF ALL ABILITIES WITH PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT FOR CLIENTS EITHER WITH SIGNIFICANT OBSTACLES TO SECURING EMPLOYMENT OR CLIENTS WHO ARE WORK READY. IN ADDITION, CAREER COACHES PROVIDE AN EXTENSIVE ARRAY OF ASSESSMENTS FOR THOSE EXPLORING CAREER CHANGES. WORKS WITH INDIVIDUALS TO PROVIDE PATHS TOWARD JOBS AND CAREERS WITH HIGHER INCOME TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY. CHAPLAINCY SERVICES PROVIDES HOSPITAL VISITS, SPIRITUAL SUPPORT AND PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE TO JEWISH PATIENTS FROM HOUSTON OR OUT-OF-TOWN AT HOUSTON AREA HOSPITALS. IN ADDITION TO SERVING CLIENTS, JFS PROVIDES LEADERSHIP TO BROADER HOUSTON BY SELECTING, DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE SYSTEMIC SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS JFS CLIENTS FACE, IN PARTICULAR REDUCING STIGMA RELATED TO SEEKING BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND AT RISK FOR SUICIDE AS WELL AS A FOCUS ON REDUCING BARRIERS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES FROM REACHING THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. THE THIRD AREA OF EXPERTISE, FOR WHICH WE HAVE A LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEADERSHIP ROLE, IS IN LONG TERM DISASTER RECOVERY MANAGEMENT. WE ARE A TRUSTED COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE PARTNER IN DIRECTLY RESPONDING TO EXISTING AND EMERGING NEEDS IN A COMPASSIONATE, IMPACTFUL AND INNOVATIVE MANNER.
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
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? 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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1947.
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.