How Revenue is Spent at the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (2022)

by Anne Paddock

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (also known as “The Joint” or the JDC) is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501 (c) (3) with 148 employees in New York City, NY. The governing board – 144 independent board members although 151 board members are listed on the Form 990 (the difference appears to be due to timing issues and is comprised of 78 males and 73 females. That there are more board members than employees is interesting to note.

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 2022, $272 million, or 60% of revenue was used for grants (primarily to foreign organizations).

So, if you made a $100 donation to the JDC in 2022, $60 was allocated to grants, $27 was used for organization expenses and $13 was allocated to savings.

The JDC has $601 million in net assets at the end of 2022 – nearly the same amount as in 2021. Even though the JDC did not spend as much as they raised ($58 million was not spent), net assets did not increase because of $67 million in unrealized losses on investments that were partially offset by $8 million in changes to net assets (primarily adjustments to the pension and non-qualified retirement funds).

In 2022, the JDC reported total revenue of $456 million (compared to $398 million in 2021, $396 million in 2020, and $334 million in 2019) most of which came from contributions and gifts ($382 million), government grants ($69 million), and investment income/gains on the sale of assets ($3 million).

Expenses totaled $398 million (including $3 million in depreciation) and can be categorized as follows:

$272 million (60% of revenue): Grants
$ 80 million (17% of revenue): Compensation
$ 13 million (3% of revenue): Fees for Services
$ 15 million (3% of revenue): Office-Related Expenses
$ 9 million (2% of revenue): Advertising, Interest, and Other Expenses
$ 9 million (2% of revenue): Travel and Conferences

As illustrated above, $272 million or 60% of revenue was awarded in grants, primarily to Russia and neighboring states ($201 million), and the Middle East and North Africa ($53 million). The Form 990 does not require non-profits to disclose the specific of grants made overseas.

$126 million, or 27% of revenue was spent on organizational expenses (compensation, fees, travel and conferences, office expenses, etc).

The unspent revenue – about $58 million (13% of total revenue) – was added to the general fund. The JDC recognized $67 million in unrealized losses on investments along with $8 million in other changes (primarily changes in the pension plan offset by currency losses) resulting in $601 million in net assets (compared to0 $602 million in 2021).

Using the above revenue, every $100 in revenue was spent as follows:

$100: Revenue

-$ 17: Compensation

-$ 3: Fees For Services

-$ 2: Travel and Conferences

-$ 3: Office-Related Expenses

-$ 2: Advertising, Interest, and Other Expense

-$ 27: Subtotal: Organization Expenses

$ 73: Revenue Remaining

-$ 60: Grants

$ 13: Revenue Remaining: To General Fund

As illustrated above and in the most general terms, The JDC spent $27 of every $100 on organization expenses and $60 out of every $100 on grants – primarily overseas. $13 out of every $100 went to the general fund.

To read the IRS Form 990 (2022), click here.