How Revenue is Spent at the American Jewish Joint Distribution (2020)
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (also known as “The Joint” or the JDC) is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501 (c) (3) with about 150 employees in New York City, NY. The governing board – 164 independent board members although 188 board members are listed on the Form 990 (the difference appears to be due to timing issues and is comprised of 102 males and 86 females.
As one of the leading humanitarian organizations that works in 70 countries, the JDC works to rescue and provide aid to Jews in the advancement of Jewish life across the globe, primarily through awarding grants: in 2020, $254 million, or 64% of revenue was used for grants (primarily to foreign organizations).
In 2020, the JDC reported total revenue of $396 million (compared to $334 million in 2019 and $357 million in 2018) most of which came from contributions and gifts ($310 million), government grants ($69 million), and investment income/gains on the sale of assets ($10 million).
Expenses totaled $331 million (including $2 million in depreciation) and can be categorized as follows:
- $254 million (64% of revenue): Grants
- $ 79 million (20% of revenue): Compensation
- $ 10 million (3% of revenue): Fees for Services
- $ 9 million (2% of revenue): Travel and Conferences
- $ 11 million (3% of revenue): Office-Related Expenses
- $ 6 million (2% of revenue): Advertising, Interest, and Other Expenses
As illustrated above, $254 million or 64% of revenue was awarded in grants, primarily to Russia and neighboring states ($139 million), Central America ($128 million), Europe ($43 million), and the Middle East and North Africa ($68 million). The Form 990 does not require non-profits to disclose the specific of grants made overseas.
$115 million, or 30% of revenue was spent on organizational expenses (compensation, fees, travel and conferences, office expenses, etc).
The unspent revenue – about $25 million – was added to the general fund. The JDC recognized $40 million in unrealized gains on investments along with $6 million in other changes (primarily changes in the pension plan) resulting in $509 million in net assets (compared to $449 million in net assets at the beginning of the year).
Using the above revenue, every $100 in revenue was spent as follows:
$100: Revenue
-$ 20: Compensation
-$ 3: Fees For Services
-$ 2: Travel and Conferences
-$ 3: Office-Related Expenses
-$ 2: Advertising, Interest, and Other Expense
-$ 30: Subtotal: Organization Expenses
$ 70: Revenue Remaining
-$ 64: Grants
$ 6: Revenue Remaining: To General Fund
As illustrated above and in the most general terms, The JDC spent $30 of of every $100 on organization expenses and $64 out of every $100 on grants – primarily overseas. $6 out of every $100 went to the general fund.
To read the IRS Form 990 (2020), click here.
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