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Institute for Jewish and Community Research

EIN 94-3307253 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Institute is an independent non-profit that is devoted to contemporary American Jewish life. It is dedicated to raising awareness about the ethnic, racial and cultural diversity of global Jewish identity and experience.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
58%
Reserves
47.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
7
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$158,026, executive dir.

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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 47.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    58% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (social science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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)
  1. $227,184 spent. Experiential ActivitiesCamp Bechol Lashon (CBL) is Jewish overnight camp for multicultural children located in the San Francisco Bay Area, with campers from around the US and the world. Each day campers encounter Judaism through the history and culture of Jewish communities around the world, highlighting the ways in which universal Jewish values find unique expression in different places. Children explore personal identity, moving from their individual stories to seeing themselves as an integral part of global Jewish life.Community Events strengthen Jewish identity by expanding awareness of the racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of Jewish identity, language, and experience. We celebrate Jews as a multicultural people through partnering and co-sponsoring a variety of community events and programs, often bridging the gap from Jews on the margins to mainstream Jewish life.
  2. $187,612 spent. Leadership As the Jewish community becomes more racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse, Be'chol Lashon seeks to bring the historic Jewish commitment to civil rights and racial justice forward into the 21st century by providing opportunities for Jewish professionals and others to actively engage in conversations about race, ethnicity and identity. Our Speakers Bureau addresses a wide range of topics of interest to congregations, organizations, campuses, and communities. Be'chol Lashon speakers are dynamic diverse community, academic, and cultural arts leaders who are ambassadors for a global and diverse Jewish community.
  3. $178,892 spent. Educational Resources Bechol Lashon creates educational resources that strengthen Jewish identity by expanding awareness of the racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of Jews around the world. According to our research, approximately 20% of America's six million Jews are African American, Asian, Latino, mixed-race, Sephardic, and Mizrahi by birth, intermarriage, conversion and adoption. And Jews of all backgrounds, who are growing up in a diverse and interconnected world, value diversity and inclusion. Jews are a multicultural people who live around the world, yet there are very few Jewish educational resources that adequately address the demographic reality of contemporary Jewish life. Our educational resources provide skills, tools, and expertise to navigate different cultural spaces in a Jewish context.

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

  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 October 13, 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 December 2024.

    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 January 1999.

    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 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.