American Soceity for Yad Vashem

Mission:
The mission of the American Society for Yad Vashem (ASYV),
http://www.yadvashemusa.org/ is to support the Yad Vashem
memorial in Israel. Yad Vashem, Jerusalem, is the Jewish
people's memorial to the murdered Six Million and symbolizes
the ongoing confrontation with the rupture engendered by the
Holocaust. Containing the world's largest repository of
information on the Holocaust, Yad Vashem is a leader in Shoah
education, commemoration, research and documentation.
Over the years, the American Society has worked in partnership
with Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes'
Remembrance Authority in Jerusalem, aiding in education,
commemoration, research, capital improvement, and special
projects.

Financial Efficiency Evaluation:
According to Charity Navigator (http://www.charitynavigator.org/),
America’s leading charity evaluator, ASYV has an overall rating of
1 star (four stars is the highest rating.) Charity Navigator provides
the followingbreakdown of ASYV based on 990 tax returns through
2006:
Overall Rating: 1 star *
Organizational Efficiency: Efficiency Rating 1 star*
Program Expenses: 69.2%
Administrative Expenses: 6.3%
Fundraising Expenses: 24.3%
Fundraising Efficiency: $0.11 (ASYV spends $0.11 to raise $1.)
Organizational Capacity: Capacity Rating 1 star *
Primary Revenue Growth: -9.2%
Program Expenses Growth: -29.9%
Working Capital Ratio (years): 6.97
(ASYV can sustain itself for 6.97 years without generating
new revenue.)
Organizational Capacity refers to an organization’s ability
to sustain itself over time. Charities that exhibit consistent
revenue and expenses growth are more likely to sustain its
programs and services over the long haul.

ASYV has net assets of $17,048,472. The highest compensation
reported on its 990 tax return was for Director of Development,
Sharaga Mekel, was $95,254 which represents 3.89% of expenses.
For comparison purposes, compensation for the President of the
American Jewish World Service, Ruth Messinger, was $191,00
which was 0.79% of expenses. Also, for comparison purposes,
Charity Navigator has given the United States Holocaust Memorial
Museum a three star rating.

Recent News:
The ASYV web site does not discuss any recent news events.
It says that its “…achievements are recognized at its Annual
Tribute Dinner, whose guests include survivors, their families,
leading figures in government, the American Jewish community,
and members of the diplomatic corps. The Society publishes an
annual commemorative journal. We also host an annual Spring
Luncheon, to encourage present and future membership.”
The web site also says that its “…Education Department sponsors
an annual Professional Development Conference to bring educators
up-to-date with resources developed by the International School for
Holocaust Studies in Jerusalem. This Conference is co-sponsored
by the Association for Teachers of Social Studies of the United
Federation of Teachers. We also offer assistance in coordinating
commemorative programs on the Holocaust.”

Recommendations:
In order to merit a higher overall rating from Charity Navigator,
ASYV would have to direct more of its funds to the target of its
program expenses, Yad Vashem, and less to to fundraising and to
its net assets. According to its 2006 990 tax return, ASYV raised
$5,240,859 (page 1, line 1b) in “direct public support.” Its “interest
on savings and temporary cash investments” was $780,530
(page 1, line 4). Its “dividends and interest from securities”
(page 1, line 5) was $3,248. Its total revenue was $6,024637. Of
this amount, ASYV made grants to Yad Vashem totaling $1,471,448
and it spent $222,530 on creating videos and publications to inform
and educate the public concerning the holocaust. Its total program
expenses were $1,693,978. This represents 28% of the total amount
of funds raised in direct public support. In 2006 had an excess of
$3,580,116, which represents 69% of the toal amount of funds raised
in driect public support, and this amount was used by ASYV to
increase its net assets. Its 990 tax return says that at the end of
2006, ASYV has net assets totaling $17,048,472. Charity Navigator
stated that its working capital ratio in years was 6.97 years. For
comparison purposes, American Jewish World Service has a working
capital ratio of 0.57 years. Thus, if you want to donate to ASYV, it is
necessary to understand that only 28% of your funds will be directed
to Yad Vashem and 69% of the balance of your donation will be used
to increase the net assets of ASYV.

Next Week’s Blog: Boys Town Jerusalem Foundation of America

Israel Special Kids Fund

Mission:
Israel Special Kids Fund (ISKF), http://www.israelspecialkids.com/,
is the American arm of the Israeli non-profit called Simcha
Le’Yeled. Simcha Le’Yeled (translation – “Happiness to the
Child”) is dedicated to improving the quality of life of disabled
and seriously ill children in hospitals and rehabilitation centers
in Israel. “We concentrate our efforts on children neglected by
other groups, such as those with genetic diseases, muscular
dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, kidney dialysis, diabetes and accident
and burn victims, in addition to those with cancer. Our programs
include a big brother/sister program, holiday celebrations,
birthday parties, amusement parks, water parks, trips, tours,
sleep-away camps, dreams come true, airplane rides and
swimming.”

Financial Efficiency Evaluation:
According to Charity Navigator
(http://www.charitynavigator.org/), America’s leading charity
evaluator, ISKF has an overall rating of 4 stars (four stars is the
highest rating.) Charity Navigator provides the following
breakdown of ISKF based on 990 tax returns through 2006:
Overall Rating: 4 stars ****
Organizational Efficiency: Efficiency Rating 4 stars****
Program Expenses: 88.8%
Administrative Expenses: 4.6%
Fundraising Expenses: 6.4%
Fundraising Efficiency: $0.06 (ISKF spends $0.06 to raise $1.)
Organizational Capacity: Capacity Rating 4 stars ****
Primary Revenue Growth: 8.6%
Program Expenses Growth: 33.3%
Working Capital Ratio (years): 0.39
(ISKF can sustain itself for 0.39 years without generating
new revenue.)
Organizational Capacity refers to an organization’s ability
to sustain itself over time. Charities that exhibit consistent
revenue and expenses growth are more likely to sustain its
programs and services over the long haul. ISKF has net
assets of $428,262. Compensation for its President, Hillel Wiener,
was $66,000 which represents 6.12% of expenses. For comparison
purposes, compensation for the President of the American Jewish
World Service, Ruth Messinger, was $191,00 which was 0.79% of
expenses. Also, for comparison purposes, Charity Navigator
has given the Whitney Museum of American Art a two star rating.


Recent News:
Hadassah is one of the largest hospital centers in Israel and it treats
hundreds of children each week. It runs a school for hospitalized
children called the Hadassah Hospital School. Last Purim, Simcha
Le’Yeled ran a Purim celebration for the Hadassah Hospital School.
“According to the principal of school, the event was extremely well
organized and all the children laughed, sang and danced during the
entire event. Even those who were very sick and are usually confined
to their rooms attended and all had a great time. The entire
Hadassah hospital staff said that this was the most successful and
enjoyable party they have ever seen. Everyone was able to see the
incredible effort your organization put into this and all the other
events you have run.”

Recommendations:
1) The Israel Special Kids Fund is a very efficient non-profit in that
88.8% of its revenue reaches its target – “Simcha Le’Yeled.” As
Simcha Le’Yeled is an Israeli non-profit, Simcha Le’Yeled is NOT
evaluated by Charity Navigator. Thus, I do not know how much
of the revenue received by Simcha Le’Yeled actually reaches the
hospitalized Israeli children.
2) The ISKF website should include an archive of recent events.
3) The ISKF should publicize its four star Charity Navigator rating.
It should also publicize the efficiency of Simcha Le’Yeled under the
assumption that Simcha Le’Yeled is also an efficient non-profit.

Next Week’s Blog: The American Society for Yad Vashem

The Alexander Muss Institute for Israel Education

Mission:
The Alexander Muss Institute for Israel Education (AMIIE),
http://www.amiie.org/, was founded in 1972 as The Alexander
Muss High School in Israel, to help teens better understand
Israel's living history through hands-on exploring. AMIIE works
to provide a superior Israel education experience to learners of
all ages in Israel and within communities in North America.
Through its work, the Institute promotes, builds and strengthens
lifelong bonds between American Jews and Israel through
education, experiences and understanding. AMIIE creates
meaningful educational opportunities, cultivates leadership skills
to support Jewish advocacy, and promotes, builds and strengthens
Jewish survival and continuity.

Financial Efficiency Evaluation:
According to Charity Navigator
(http://www.charitynavigator.org/), America’s leading charity
evaluator, AMIIE has an overall rating of 3 stars (four stars is
the highest rating.) Charity Navigator provides the following
breakdown of AMIIE based on 990 tax returns through
2006:
Overall Rating: 3 stars ***
Organizational Efficiency: Efficiency Rating 3 stars***
Program Expenses: 78.2%
Administrative Expenses: 20.9%
Fundraising Expenses: 0.7%
Fundraising Efficiency: $0.02
(AMIIE spends $0.02 to raise $1.)
Organizational Capacity: Capacity Rating 4 stars ****
Primary Revenue Growth: 21.0%
Program Expenses Growth: 20.0%
Working Capital Ratio (years): 0.37
(AMIIE can sustain itself for 0.37 years without generating
new revenue.)
Organizational Capacity refers to an organization’s ability
to sustain itself over time. Charities that exhibit consistent
revenue and expenses growth are more likely to sustain its
programs and services over the long haul.

AMIIE has net assets of $3,607,414. Compensation for its
Chief Executive Officer, Joseph Breman, was $26,250 which
represents 0.59% of expenses. For comparison purposes,
compensation for the President of the American Jewish World
Service, Ruth Messinger, was $191,00 which was 0.79% of
expenses. These are both very low figures in the non-profit
world.


Recent News:
Following is a typical week for students at AMIIE as presented
in the headmasters weekly update sent out by email for the
week of October 3 – 10, 2008:
On Friday October 3, 2008, the students went on a hike in the
Nahal Amud area. In the afternoon, they met with an artist in
Tzfat who infuses Kabalistic themes into his art. The students
Then settled in at the guesthouse and prepared for Shabbat. After
lighting candles, the students went to synagogues in the ancient
city and artist colony area for Kabbalat Shabbat – the girls went to
a women’s minyan and the boys to Beirav, a Carlebach minyan.
They returned to the guesthouse for dinner, singing and Oneg
Shabbat. On Shabbat morning, some of the students went to
synagogues for Shacharit and the rest chose to sleep late. In the
afternoon, the group went to the Citadel Park. It was a very special
Shabbat filled with the sprit and atmosphere of Tzfat. After
Havdalah the group returned to campus. On Sunday, the students
studied about the Jewish community in Poland that was so influenced
by the Kabbalah that was developed in Tzfat. On Monday,
the students focused on the Enlightenment and the struggle for
Jewish Emancipation. On Wednesday afternoon, the group traveled
to Jerusalem for Yom Kippur. The group stayed, together with the
students of the Barrack Hebrew Academy, in the center of Jerusalem
so that they would be able to attend services at synagogues of their
choice. After Kol Nidrei, the streets of Jerusalem filled with families
dressed in white taking a leisurely stroll. Many of the students
commented about their feelings being in Jerusalem for Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur is a special day all over Israel. The country comes to a
stand still – there is absolutely no traffic. This atmosphere is felt in a
more special way in Jerusalem. The entire group walked to the Kotel
for Ne’ilah. Many of the students found minyanim, which they joined
while some met to have our own Minyan and others preferred a
private moment at the Wall. At the conclusion of the Ne’ilah service
the students returned to the youth hostel for Havdalah and to break
the fast before returning to campus.

Recommendations:
AMIIE is an efficient non-profit. AMIIE should be commended
for having a low administrative executive director expense in that
its is paid less than 1% of expenses. Charity navigator has presently
given AMIIE an overall efficiency rating of three stars. It could
earn a four star rating from Charity Navigator, however, by reducing
its overall administrative expenses so that it can give more than 80%
of its revenue to its program expenses. AMIIE’s fundraising efforts
may benefit by publicizing its favorable efficiencies.

For comparison purposes, Charity Navigator has given an overall
rating of two stars to the The Morgan Library and Museum located
in New York City; its mission is to foster a greater knowledge,
understanding, and appreciation of Western history and culture.

Next Week’s Blog: Israel Special Kids Fund

Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life

Mission:
The largest Jewish campus organization in the world,
Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life
(http://www.hillel.org/) provides opportunities for Jewish
students at more than 500 colleges and universities to
explore and celebrate their Jewish identity through its
global network of regional centers, campus foundations
and Hillel student organizations. Hillel is working to
promote a renaissance of Jewish life. Hillel's mission is to
enrich the lives of Jewish undergraduate and graduate
students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the
world. Hillel student leaders, professionals and lay leaders
are dedicated to creating a pluralistic, welcoming and inclusive
environment for Jewish college students, where they are
encouraged to grow intellectually, spiritually and socially.

Financial Efficiency Evaluation:
According to Charity Navigator(http://www.charitynavigator.org/),
America’s leading charity evaluator, Hillel has an overall rating of
4 stars (four stars is the highest rating.) Charity Navigator provides
the following breakdown of Hillel based on 990 tax returns through 2006:
Overall Rating: 4 stars ****
Organizational Efficiency: Efficiency Rating 3 stars***
Program Expenses: 76.8%
Administrative Expenses: 10.5%
Fundraising Expenses: 12.6%
Fundraising Efficiency: $0.13
(Hillel spends $0.13 to raise $1.)
Organizational Capacity: Capacity Rating 4 stars ****
Primary Revenue Growth: 7.0%
Program Expenses Growth: 11.9%
Working Capital Ratio (years): 0.97
(Hillel can sustain itself for 0.97 years without
generating new revenue.)
Organizational Capacity refers to an organization’s ability
to sustain itself over time. Charities that exhibit consistent
revenue and expenses growth are more likely to sustain its
programs and services over the long haul.

Hillel has net assets of $31,646,752. Compensation for its President,
Wayne Firestone, was $275,000 which represents 0.98% of
expenses. For comparison purposes, compensation for the
President of the American Jewish World Service, Ruth Messinger,
was $191,00 which was 0.79% of expenses.

Recent News:
1) Hillel Celebrates Its 85th Anniversary:
Leaders of B'nai Brith and Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish
Campus Life joined together in Washington, D.C., on
September 8, 2008 to commemorate the two organizations'
historic partnership as Hillel kicks off a year-long celebration
of its 85th anniversary. The leaders unveiled a plaque honoring
B’nai B’rith’s role as Hillel’s sponsor from 1924-1994. During
70 years of B’nai B’rith sponsorship, Hillel grew from a single
group founded at theUniversity of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
in 1923 to a global campus organization. Hillel separated from
B’nai B’rith in 1994. Today Hillel is the largest Jewish campus
organization, serving over 500 campuses around the world.
2) Georgia Hillel Supports Conflict’s Refugees:
Shortly after the outbreak of fighting on the border of Russia and
the former Soviet republic of Georgia, Tbilisi Hillel Director
Moris Krikheli responded by helping relocate families that fled
their homes in Gori, a city hurt by the fighting. In the days that
followed, dozens of Hillel student activists joined his efforts to aid
in the refugee’s plight. Hillel is cooperating with the American
Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and the Jewish Agency for
Israel to address the immediate needs of refugees in Tbilisi. Hillel
activists are volunteering on rotating shifts at the Jewish House,
which is the city’s community center, to play games with the
teenagers, take them on field trips to water parks and swimming
pools, as well as to organize sporting and painting competitions.

Recommendations: Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus
Life is a very efficient Jewish non-profit in that 76.8% of its
revenue reaches its target – enriching the lives of Jewish
undergraduate and graduate college students. It has demonstrated
a high organizational capacity in that its revenue and program
expenses are both growing. It can sustain itself over time. Hillel
could earn a four start efficiency rating from Charity Navigator by
slightly reducing its administrative and fundraising expenses so
that they are each less than 10% of expenses. For purposes of
comparison, Charity Navigator has given the Whitney Museum of
American Art in New York City an overall rating of two stars.

Next Week’s Blog: Alexander Muss Institute for Israel Education