Arizona Jewish Historical Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 48% 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
The Arizona Jewish Historical Society preserves and celebrates the rich heritage of Arizona's Jewish communities, educates the public about the Jewish historical experience including the Holocaust, and promotes awareness of our state's diverse history through arts, culture, and educational programming. Inspiring visitors to learn from history, to become up standers, and to work toward a world without hatred and bigotry.
- Income
- $18.4 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 48%
- Reserves
- -12.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 67%
- Employees
- 17
- Volunteers
- 43
- Highest pay
- $35,200, executive director
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: 50 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 93% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3108% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1548% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 78 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2524 of 24 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
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
0 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 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 (1)
- $607,981 spent. The Arizona Jewish Historical Society preserves and celebrates the rich heritage of Arizona's Jewish Communities, educates the public about Jewish contributions to Arizona and American life, and promotes awareness of the states diverse history through arts, culture, and educational programming. As part of the mission, the Society has restored Phoenix's first synagogue building as the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, a museum, cultural center, and event venue open to people of all faiths. Regular exhibitions are run at the center, including an interactive Holographic display of local Holocaust survivor Oskar Knoblauch. In addition, the AZJHS sponsors a documentary film series, book discussion groups, a genealogy group, musical concerts, Holocaust education programs, and a Surviving Humanity series in which they host survivors of other acts of persecution unrelated to the Holocaust. The programming is designed to demonstrate that prejudice and hatred flow in many different directions. The goal of the programs are designed to promote respect, mutual understanding, and peace among people of all races and religions. Approximately 15,000 people have attended the programs and exhibitions either on-site or online this past year. The Organization is currently raising funding to build a Holocaust Education Center on their site.
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 June 1981.
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.