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T of L Inc

EIN 88-1323223 · Pittsburgh, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE TREE OF LIFE IS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION BASED IN PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA. OUR MISSION IS TO UPROOT ANTISEMITISM BY PRESERVING THE MEMORY OF THOSE LOST ON OCTOBER 27, 2018-THE DEADLIEST ANTISEMITIC ATTACK IN U.S. HISTORY-AND TRANSFORMING THE SITE INTO A CENTER FOR EDUCATION, REMEMBRANCE, BRIDGING, AND CELEBRATION.THE NEW TREE OF LIFE IS A LOCALLY GROUNDED INSTITUTION WITH NATIONAL REACH THAT HONORS THE LIVES LOST AND INSPIRES PEOPLE EVERYWHERE TO CONFRONT ANTISEMITISM AND ALL FORMS OF IDENTITY-BASED HATE.UPON COMPLETION, THE BUILDING WILL HOUSE THE FIRST MUSEUM DEDICATED TO EXPLORING THE HISTORY AND CONTEMPORARY REALITY OF ANTISEMITISM IN AMERICA; A MEMORIAL TO THOSE MURDERED IN THE ATTACK; A SACRED SANCTUARY; AND SPACES FOR EDUCATION, PUBLIC PROGRAMMING, AND DIALOGUE. IT WILL SERVE AS A NATIONAL DESTINATION FOR LEARNING, REMEMBRANCE, AND ACTION.

Income
$11.5 million
Spending
$3.6 million
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
44.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
10
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$297,477, ceo

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 44.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 68% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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 (3)
  1. $1.6 million spent. THE TREE OF LIFE, INC. IS WORKING TO UPROOT ANTISEMITISM BY REMEMBERING THE LIVES OF THE LOVED ONES TAKEN ON OCTOBER 27, 2018, AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS DIFFERENCES TO REPAIR OUR WORLD. THE REIMAGINED TREE OF LIFE IS A PLACE THAT WILL CELEBRATE JEWISH LIFE AND TRADITION AND REMEMBER EACH VICTIM AND THE HORROR THAT HAPPENED FROM THE 2018 PITTSBURGH SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING. IT IS A PLACE THAT PROVIDES PROGRAMMING AND A MUSEUM TO EDUCATE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS, BUILDS CONNECTIONS, AND INSPIRES COURAGEOUS ACTION TO CREATE COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITIES.
  2. $444,891 spent. THE HOLOCAUST CENTER OF PITTSBURGH (HCP) CONNECTS THE HORRORS OF THE HOLOCAUST AND ANTISEMITISM WITH INJUSTICES OF TODAY. THROUGH EDUCATION, THE HCP SEEKS TO ADDRESS THESE INJUSTICES AND EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS TO BUILD A MORE CIVIL AND HUMANE SOCIETY. THE HCP REACHES THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ANNUALLY THROUGH ENGAGING CULTURAL EVENTS AND LECTURES; A ROBUST GENERATIONS SPEAKER BUREAU; CHUTZ-POW! SUPERHEROES OF THE HOLOCAUST COMIC BOOK SERIES; A PUBLIC EXHIBIT CALLED "REVOLVING DOORS; TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS TO HELP PARTICIPANTS UNDERSTAND AND WORK TO DISMANTLE ANTISEMITISM; AND FREE AND AFFORDABLE RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST AND DISMANTLING ANTISEMITISM.
  3. $499,676 spent. LIGHT IS TREE OF LIFES K-12 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OFFERING, EQUIPPING SCHOOL AGE LEARNERS TO IDENTIFY AND CONFRONT HATE IN THEIR OWN LIVES THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL AND DIALOGUE-BASED LEARNING. THE TREE OF LIFE HOSTS ITS OWN ROBUST ADULT PUBLIC PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING A NATIONAL TRAVELING EXHIBITION AND ASSOCIATED PROGRAMMING.

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

  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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 June 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 July 2022.

    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 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.