Jewish United Fund

What it reported doing in 2024

The federation's largest endeavor is to allocate funds to a network of nearly 100 agencies and initiatives in the chicago area that aid chicagoans of all faiths, including: hot meals and groceries, utility and rent assistance, prescriptions and medical care for impoverished families; job training and placement for people; therapeutic school and specialized services for people with disabilities; support services for holocaust survivors; specialized services for seniors; respite services for caregivers; counseling, prevention and intervention services for struggling teens; an entire continuum of prevention and therapeutic services for individuals and families in crisis; and security assistance to safeguard jewish facilities.because the jewish united fund of metropolitan chicago and the jewish federation of metropolitan chicago are so closely linked in numerous ways (combined board of directors, shared professional staff, shared office space, etc.), and because juf provides an annual, multi-million dollar allocation to the jewish federation, we measure and report our program and service results jointly for the combined juf/federation enterprise, which are summarized below: taking care of people and serving the community: as one of the nation's largest humanitarian organizations, juf meets the most fundamental needs of the community-feeding people who are hungry, providing emergency financial support, and protecting the health and well-being of those in need of care.helping people keep food on their tables and a roof overhead:- 20,000 individuals received food assistance, including meals, food bags and packages in fy25.- 880 individuals received affordable housing services and 500 people lived in juf-supported affordable housing.- more than 5,000 households received $24 million in financial aid- a 16 percent increase in households assisted and 27 percent increase in dollars distributed.- 4,400 people- including more than 2,000 children-- received in-kind essentials, such as school supplies, winter coats and tech devices. - 8,000 individuals received assistance gaining or maintaining public benefits.providing access to life-saving medical care and essential mental health services:- 64,000 people in need received direct healthcare including primary medical care, dental, and access to health screenings. - more than 2,600 people received prescription medications.- 27,500 individuals received mental health services or education.- 4,600 individuals were served to reduce isolation.helping people build new lives in a new country:- 11,700 immigrants and refugees received support from juf agencies in 2025, ranging from food and housing to job placement and assistance on the path to citizenship-a 22% increase over last year. - 8,500 refugees received ongoing resettlement services, a 50% increase over the prior yearpromoting inclusion, individualism and independence for people with disabilities:- a record 4,600 people with disabilities received support from juf and its agencies, ranging from employment assistance to school and jewish summer camp.- 1,400 family members and caregivers of people with disabilities increased knowledge, skills, and access to resources to support their loved ones.- 1,700 children and youth with developmental delays or disabilities were served in school-based settings.providing holistic support to sustain holocaust survivors:- 1,700 holocaust survivors received a range of supportive services, from financial aid to socialization. - financial aid to survivors totaled $17.3 million. Helping people help themselves:- 4,000 people received employment services in 2025.- 1,600 seniors and others in need got transportation assistance to access health care, jobs and more.- individuals attained financial literacy skills through financial counseling and education services.- a record 1,161 people benefited from free legal assistance.connecting people to community: juf continues to answer our community's call for meaningful opport

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 89.7%; rating input score 90
• Program expense ratio: 97.9%; rating input score 98
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.3%; rating input score 93; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 93.7%; rating input score 94; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Yes; rating input score 100

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 98.9%; rating input score 99; 53rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 27.7%; rating input score 91; 91st percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 5.46; rating input score 85; 85th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.23; rating input score 64; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 2.6%; rating input score 44; 44th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 8.3% per year; rating input score 100; 65th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 6.7% per year; rating input score 100; 58th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 3.4% per year; rating input score 100; 24th percentile among comparable filings