Hillel the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To enrich student lives so they may enrich our community, the Jewish people, and the world.
- Income
- $835,648
- Spending
- $916,028
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- 32.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $183,131, executive dir.
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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 32.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2522 of 22 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
0 of 10Did not give 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
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 (1)
- $667,819 spent. Santa Barbara Hillel offers a wide variety of programs to students. These activities are planned by our student leaders and staff to create an inspiring array of activities. Jewish values are incorporated into many of our programs. General Programming - On any given night at Hillel, there may be a program of interest. We host everything from cooking competitions, to dance parties, to arts and crafts nights. We lead hikes, organize barbecues, plan programs that build relationships between students of different backgrounds, and open our doors each night for studying and snacks. We are also the co-hosts for meetings and events with student groups whose values align with our own. In these ways, we serve as a "home away from home and hub for student life. Jewish Life - While Judaism is infused into all we do here at Hillel, there are some activities that are specifically Jewish in nature. We celebrate Shabbat and holidays together, bring in speakers on various Jewish topics, teach classes and workshops about Jewish texts and values, and engage in Jewish cultural experiences. Israel - Santa Barbara Hillel fosters a living connection with Israel as one key component of Jewish identity. Students travel to Israel, participate in Israel related activities on campus, and engage in discussions with key individuals on topics related to Israel.Social Action - Santa Barbara Hillel students embrace the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, by participating in a number of social action projects throughout the year, including city beautification, direct service projects, blood drives, and fundraisers for organizations helping those in need.
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? Worth knowing.
Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 December 1993.
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.