Jewish Community Legacy Project Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Jewish Community Legacy Project (JCLP) is committed to helping small Jewish Communities honor their past while planning for their future. The JCLP is the only organization focused exclusively on empowering small Jewish congregations in the US and Canada to secure their futures. With a deep understanding of the needs unique to these small congregations, JCLP provides the resources and solutions specific to the challenges associated with operational growth, sustainability, or decline. Leveraging its proven experience, as well as relationships with local and national partners, JCLP facilitates effective plans of action for the sustainability of congregational life and long-range planning.
- Income
- $597,807
- Spending
- $567,146
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 5.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 86
- Highest pay
- $133,333, president
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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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
Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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)
- $315,158 spent. Individual Congregation Consultations During the year JCLP assisted 140 small congregations located throughout the country with their current and long-term planning needs. In addition, JCLP initiated 102 first meetings with small congregations exploring the possibility of engaging JCLP's planning services and responded to another 30 requests for information. The total number of meaningful contacts was 270 small congregations. JCLP's planning falls into two categories.Sustainability PlanningStabilize or drive increased participation; recruit volunteers; ensure leadership succession; plan fundraising campaigns; assist in securing clergy; facilitate consolidation discussions with another congregation.Legacy PlanningPreserve archival records; find homes for Jewish and general articles; ensure the preservation of the cemetery; create legacy endowments to support Jewish and general programs and institutions. Over 30 congregations have donated their historic material to Jewish archives and museums. Over 80 sacred Torahs have been donated in the United States, Israel, and in small Jewish communities around the around. Over $10 million of congregation assets has been converted into cemetery preservation endowments and legacy endowments
- $59,092 spent. Regional Cohort Planning and Programming JCLP brings together congregations located in the same region to share ideas, address common issues, and develop programming for their congregants. Regional cohorts are in Central PA; Western PA; Greater MS; Ohio; the Carolinas; Upstate New York; Texas; Upper Midwest. Programs have included: antisemitism, Jewish ethics, Jewish holidays, rabbi presentations, presentations by college professors, Israel, Jewish cuisine, Jewish music, and security. Over 1,000 congregants of small congregations have registered for regional cohort programs.
- $19,697 spent. JCLP Presidents Forum JCLP has created the JCLP Presidents Forum that brings together presidents of small congregations located throughout the country and some congregations in Canada. Over 350 small congregations throughout the United States and in some Canadian cities are part of the JCLP Presidents Forum. The Forum is an opportunity to address common issues such as outreach, leadership development, historic preservation, security, fundraising, and "burnout." The Forum also conducts surveys to identify needs that can be addressed individually or collectively, such as clergy support, peer support groups, cooperative purchasing, twinning with Jewish personnel on military bases, centenary celebrations
- $11,414 spent. The Marcus Foundation Special Grant: The Marcus Foundation Special Grant has had two outcomes. It allowed JCLP to produce a video that highlights how small congregants through their legacy endowments (created upon their closure) have made an impact on the lives of people within the Jewish and secular communities. It also helped JCLP create a reunion for people who live in Metropolitan Atlanta but who grew up in small communities throughout the United States. Over 120 people attended, representing 15 states and over 60 Jewish congregations. They shared experiences, heard a presentation about small town Jewish life, and learned about the work of JCLP.
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 November 6, 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 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 May 2016.
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 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.