Jewish Film Institute
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Jewish Film Institute champions bold films and filmmakers that expand and evolve the Jewish story for audiences everywhere. Through its exhibition and artist development programs, JFI celebrates the spirit of film, inquiry, independence, collaboration, community, and inclusion to turn conversation into action, reframe understanding of Jewish cultures and identities, and nurture networks of filmmakers and artists. Its signature program, the annual San Francisco Jewish Film Festival (SFJFF), is the worlds first and most revered showcase of independent Jewish film, taking place throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. JFI provides significant support for filmmakers and artists exploring Jewish themes and identities, including the JFI Completion Grants, which provide finishing funds to jury-selected projects, and creative, marketing, and production support for its annual cohort of Filmmakers in Residence. JFI also presents the Mitzvah Series at assisted living facilities and penitentiari
- Income
- $1.6 million
- Spending
- $2.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 5.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
- Employees
- 25
- Volunteers
- 75
- Highest pay
- $189,000, president & ed
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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 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 (3)
- $720,916 spent. The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival (SFJFF) is the signature program of the Jewish Film Institute. JFI held a 16-day festival, with in-person weeks of screenings at the Herbst Theatre, AMC Kabuki 8, the Roxie, the Vogue, and the SFJCC in SF, and at the Piedmont Theatre in the East Bay. The festival show-cased more than sixty-five films from twenty countries for a worldwide audience and presented conversations and Q&As with filmmakers.
- $363,685 spent. JFIs Filmmakers in Residence honed their creative visions during the year-long residency through workshops, training, peer-to-peer mentorship, and JFIs fifth annual Pitch & Kvell, during which Residents presented their projects to industry veterans and the JFI community for feedback and guidance. The purpose of the residency is to support filmmakers who are working on films with Jewish content by providing consulting and mentorship from JFI's program staff who are all working filmmakers. The Filmmaker in Residence program has been in existence for 12 years and, through this program, JFI is creating a community of filmmakers. In 2024 JFI mentored 6 Residents.
- $305,496 spent. The JFI Completion Grants Program, the first and only US-based source of finishing funds for Jewish-content films of all genres, awarded $98,000 to seven original projects in its fifth year. Since the programs launch in 2020, well over half of JFIs grantees have completed their films. Many have premiered at leading international film festivals to awards recognition and critical acclaim. The program supports original stories that promote thoughtful consideration of Jewish history, life, culture, and identity. Priorities are given to projects that offer fresh, challenging perspectives; reflect untold stories or under-represented communities; and engage audiences across cultural lines.
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 December 1983.
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.