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THE JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 131624240 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE T700 · Philanthropy & Grantmaking · Very Large (>$50M) · jewishfederations.org
revenue
$435.2M
expenses
$511.1M
net assets
$219.6M
employees
190
volunteers
180
program ratio
98%
mission · from form 990

TO ENHANCE THE WELL-BEING OF JEWS WORLDWIDE THROUGH SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY INITIATIVES, ISRAEL, AND CIVIL SOCIETY, WHILE PROVIDING LEADERSHIP AND ASSISTANCE TO JEWISH FEDERATIONS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) is a central organization that supports and coordinates a network of local Jewish Federations across the United States and Canada. It provides leadership, resources, and emergency response for Jewish communities worldwide, with a focus on Israel, overseas Jewish populations, and domestic community initiatives. JFNA also advocates for Jewish interests and mobilizes philanthropy through national campaigns.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $190.84M
    GRANTS TO UNITED ISRAEL APPEAL, INC.: THE AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE AND WORLD ORT PROVIDING IMMIGRATION AND ABSORPTION SERVICES FOR JEWISH IDENTITY PROGRAMS, EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING, RELIEF AND WELFARE PROGRAMS AROUND THE WORLD AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.
  2. #2 $43.44M
    POWER OF THE COLLECTIVE: JFNA HELPS FEDERATIONS BUILD FLOURISHING JEWISH COMMUNITIES. IN THE FIELDS OF CAREGIVING, AGING, PHILANTHROPY, DISABILITY, FOREIGN POLICY, HOMELAND SECURITY AND HEALTH CARE, WE ARE THOUGHT LEADERS AND ADVOCATES.
named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Advocacy Corp
Trains and mobilizes advocates to represent Jewish community interests at the national and local levels.
Israel Emergency Response Committee
Coordinates rapid response and support for Jewish communities in Israel during times of crisis.
National Women's Philanthropy
Engages women donors across North America in leadership and fundraising for Jewish community initiatives.
National Young Leadership Cabinet
Develops leadership among young Jewish adults through engagement, missions to Israel, and advocacy programs.
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Israel and Jewish Heritage Educational Travel 3 activities
    • Advocating for religious freedom and Jewish institutional safety
      Conducts advocacy on Capitol Hill, in state capitals, and locally to safeguard Jewish institutions, combat antisemitism, protect religious freedom, and support democratic institutions, informed by data such as the estimated $765 million annual security cost for Jewish communities.
    • Conducting research on antisemitism and challenges in small Jewish communities
      Conducts research and surveys to analyze disparities in how Jews in small versus large communities perceive antisemitism and the seriousness with which their concerns are treated, as well as broader challenges related to engagement, security, and leadership.
    • Organizing international missions and national events for Jewish engagement
      Organizes international missions for participants to engage with Jewish leaders worldwide and hosts major national events such as The General Assembly and the International Lion of Judah Conference to strengthen communal connections.
  • Jewish Life and Security Support 2 activities
    • Supporting refugee relief efforts in Ukraine
      Partnered with United Israel Appeal and other organizations to raise and allocate funds for emergency support of refugees displaced by the war in Ukraine.
    • Supporting security, engagement, and infrastructure in small Jewish communities
      Invests in security infrastructure, community relations, local Jewish engagement programs, day schools, and summer camps in small Jewish communities to strengthen participation and resilience.
  • Jewish Religious Institution Support 1 activity
    • Funding Jewish communities and programs worldwide
      Provides over $2.3 billion annually in grants to support Jewish communities globally, including immigration and absorption services, Jewish identity programs, educational and vocational training, relief and welfare programs, and social development initiatives.
  • Jewish Leadership Development 1 activity
    • Leading leadership development and volunteer training programs
      Operates Jewish Changemakers, a leadership program for young Jews aged 21–27, and recruits, trains, and supports thousands of volunteer leaders across the network of Jewish Federations.
  • Nonprofit Capacity Building Services 1 activity
    • Providing capacity-building support to Jewish Federations
      Offers fundraising expertise, consulting, and program development support to a network of 141 Jewish Federations and smaller communities, including networking opportunities for donor affinity groups, and employs over 6,000 professionals across the network.
  • Uncategorized 4 activities
    • Advocating for Israel and strengthening Israel-North American Jewish relations
      Participated in high-level meetings with the Israeli government that led to a resolution designating Jewish education as a shared priority between Israel and North American Jewry.
    • Advocating for the bipartisan KIDS Act to improve online child safety
      Advocates for the passage of the bipartisan KIDS Act to enhance transparency and accountability on digital platforms, expand educational resources, and equip parents and children with tools to address online risks, including antisemitism and hate.
    • Coordinating emergency humanitarian operations for Jewish populations
      Organized and executed large-scale rescue and resettlement operations, including Operation Solomon, which airlifted 14,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel in 36 hours, and Operation Moses, which rescued over one million Soviet Jews and 8,000 Ethiopian Jews from famine and refugee camps.
    • Raising funds for Israel’s recovery after October 7, 2023, attacks
      Raised over $900 million to support Israel’s recovery and revitalization following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$435.16M
Contributions & grants$418.78M96%
Program service revenue$8.68M2%
Investment income$2.25M1%
Other revenue$5.45M
expenses
Total expenses$511.08M
Program expenses98%
Admin / overhead2%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$28.49M
Grants paid out$445.14M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$429.77M
Cash$147.65M
Investments$84.85M
Liabilities$210.15M
Net assets$219.62M
Liquid reserves5.5 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -38.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 13
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
ERIC FINGERHUT PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 50 $853K
SHIRA HUTT EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT 50 $441K
MICHELLE KRAVETZ CHIEF IMPACT AND GROWTH OFFICER 50 $393K
ELIZABETH FISHER CHIEF TALENT OFFICER 50 $345K
SARAH EISENMAN CHIEF COMMUNITY AND JEWISH LIFE OFFICER 50 $337K
DAVI ELLIS CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER 50 $335K
REBECCA CASPI DIRECTOR GENERAL ISRAEL OFFICE 50 $329K
LAWRENCE BROOKS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 50 $279K
KAREN BARALL VICE PRESIDENT, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS 50 $276K
EVAN HOCHBERG DEPUTY DIRECTOR; ASSOC VICE PRESIDENT, ISRAEL 49 $276K
Mike Uram Chief Jewish Learning Officer 50 $266K
PAMELA A ZALTSMAN SENIOR ADVISOR, ISRAEL & OVERSEAS 25 $262K
PAMELA KURTZMAN MANAGING DIRECTOR, BOND PROGRAM 50 $195K
board members · 12
  • ALBERT PRAW — DIRECTOR
  • AMIR KAHANA — DIRECTOR (as of 07/01/24)
  • AMY BENEDIKT — DIRECTOR
  • AMY BERGER CHAFETZ — DIRECTOR
  • AMY BRESSMAN — DIRECTOR
  • AMY GOODMAN — DIRECTOR (as of 07/01/24)
  • ANDRE TARRAF — DIRECTOR
  • ANDREA WEINBERGER — DIRECTOR
  • ANDREW HOCHBERG — DIRECTOR
  • ANDY HODES — DIRECTOR
  • ANN PAVA — DIRECTOR
  • APRIL EISEN-LEAVY — DIRECTOR
relationships · 34

Who they work with

  • American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee Partner — J. David Heller serves on the board of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.
  • American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee Partner — Provides grants to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee for immigration, absorption, and welfare programs.
  • Capitol Hill Government — Site of federal legislative advocacy efforts
  • Case Western Reserve University Government — J. David Heller serves on the board of Case Western Reserve University.
  • Cleveland Foundation Partner — J. David Heller serves on the board of the Cleveland Foundation.
  • Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston Network — Dena Boronkay Rashes is the immediate past Secretary of Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston.
  • Council of Jewish Federations Coalition — Merger partner that formed United Jewish Communities in 1999.
  • Cuyahoga Community College Government — J. David Heller served on the board of Cuyahoga Community College.
  • Drake University Government — David B. Golder is a former Chair of the Board of Trustees of Drake University.
  • Foundation for Jewish Camp Partner — Julie B. Platt is the Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for Jewish Camp.
  • Government of Israel Government — Collaborated with the Israeli government cabinet to establish Jewish education as a shared priority.
  • House of Representatives Government — Advocates before the House of Representatives on legislation such as the KIDS Act.
  • House of Representatives Government — Partnered with members of the House to support the passage of the bipartisan KIDS Act.
  • Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center Partner — David B. Golder is a former Chair of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center.
  • Jewish Federation of Broward County Network — Local federation within the Jewish Federations of North America network
  • Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles Network — Julie B. Platt is the Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.
  • Jewish Telegraphic Agency Partner — Collaborates on dissemination of research findings about small Jewish communities.
  • Jewish Telegraphic Agency Partner — Collaborates with JTA to disseminate findings from its research on small Jewish communities.
  • Local Federations Network — Network of affiliated local Jewish federations that organize regional events and programs.
  • National Women’s Philanthropy Network — Affiliated network engaging thousands of female activists in support of Jewish life.
  • Northeast Ohio Medical University Government — J. David Heller served on the board of Northeast Ohio Medical University, including as chairman.
  • Senate Government — Collaborates with Senate members on efforts to combat online antisemitism and protect children online.
  • Temple Jeremiah Partner — David B. Golder is a Past-President of Temple Jeremiah in Northfield, IL.
  • The Jewish Agency Partner — Collaborates with The Jewish Agency to support emergency needs of refugees displaced by the war in Ukraine.
  • The Jewish Agency for Israel Partner — Jeffrey A. Schoenfeld serves as a member of the Board of Governors of The Jewish Agency for Israel on behalf of the Federation system.
  • The Rashi School Partner — Dena Boronkay Rashes is a former President of the Board of The Rashi School.
  • U.S. House of Representatives Government — Advocated for and supported passage of the bipartisan KIDS Act.
  • UJA-Federation of New York Network — Jeffrey A. Schoenfeld is the Past President of UJA-Federation of New York.
  • United Israel Appeal, Inc. Partner — Collaborates with United Israel Appeal, Inc. to deploy funds for immigration, absorption services, and social development programs worldwide.
  • United Jewish Appeal Coalition — Merger partner that formed United Jewish Communities in 1999.
+ 4 more
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Data-Informed and Policy-Driven Advocacy
    methodology: data_driven_advocacy
    By using survey research to identify antisemitism and community disparities, and translating findings into targeted policy education and legislative advocacy, the organization advances systemic change because evidence-based advocacy increases credibility and policy impact.
  • Leadership Development Through Values-Based Training and Networks
    methodology: values-based_leadership_development
    By cultivating leaders through values-based training and embedding them in strong professional networks, the organization increases community resilience and continuity because shared purpose and peer support enhance leadership effectiveness and retention.
  • Networked Federation Model for Community Strengthening
    methodology: networked_community_strengthening
    By leveraging a networked federation structure, the organization strengthens local Jewish communities across North America because shared resources, leadership development, and coordinated support amplify impact beyond what isolated communities could achieve alone.
  • Tailored Infrastructure Support for Small Communities
    methodology: community-specific_infrastructure_development
    By providing customized infrastructure and networked resources to small Jewish communities, the organization reduces isolation and builds capacity because one-size-fits-all models fail to address their unique demographic and geographic challenges.