Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Jewish Federation of Ventura County

EIN 95-3848761 · Ventura, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 73 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

To fund Jewish educational and cultural activities, to provide economic relief and non sectarian social services and fight Antisemitism and BDS wherever encountered. Support for the State of Israel.

Income
$810,234
Spending
$829,060
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
38.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 50%
Employees
10
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$136,279, exec dir/ceo

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: 69 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 38.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    60% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 73 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 12 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

    6 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 (4)
  1. $350,358 spent. Provide funding to enhance Jewish life through community educational and cultural programs.Provide tickets to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles for participating 8-grade public schools, having sent over 100,000 students. Offer virtual and in person visits to the Holocaust Museum LA for 5-12th graders. Provide Holocaust education and speakers to schools and organizations. Provide social and educational programs to affinity groups such as Seniors, Women's Philanthropy, Medical and Legal Divisions, PJ Library and Young Families Mishpacha Program.Provide funding for Hillel at Cal-State Channel Islands for educational and social programs and help students fight Antisemitism on campus.
  2. $129,586 spent. Provide low-cost, non-sectarian counseling through our social service agency, Jewish Family Service, to individuals, couples and families. Provide case management for Seniors and Holocaust survivors.Provide case management services on behalf of United Way and FEMA for victims of disaster. Represent the Federation on the Ventura County Long-Term Disaster Recovery Group.Operate a free legal clinic to those in need.Provide counseling services to Veterans in need of family counseling.Fund and administer Foodshare Pantry and Family to Family meal program by providing and distributing weekly food boxes and monthly hot breakfasts to help fight food insecurity.
  3. $13,414 spent. Provide funding through our umbrella organization, Jewish Federation of North America (JFNA), for programs identified by JFNA in Israel and worldwide including funding for Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and Joint Distribution Committee (JDI), helping to rescue and resettle Jews in peril.Provide funding for social services to victims of terror and to rebuild devastated communities throughout Israel since October 7, 2023. Advocate for Israel with government officials to ensure support in Congress for the survival of the Jewish State.Monitor antisemitic curriculum in school districts, support Jewish students on college campuses, represent and advocate for the Jewish and interfaith communities for security initiatives to protect our community from harm.
  4. $1,673 spent. Provide a dedicated social worker for Jewish seniors and Holocaust survivors.Provide social services for the Jewish community in need.

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 September 1983.

    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.