Celebrating 30 years of helping you give wisely
America's most independent,
assertive charity watchdog
Top Rated

American Jewish World Service

CharityWatch rating issued
April 2026

Top-Rated Charity
A-
CharityWatch Rating
Our independent rating based
on a number of factors.
 
77%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$18
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.
Ratings & Metrics

Contact Information

American Jewish World Service
45 West 36th Street
New York, NY 10018

Other Names

AJWS

Tax Status

501(c)3

Website

www.ajws.org

Stated Mission

Inspired by the Jewish commitment to justice, works to realize human rights and end poverty in the developing world.

View similar charities

Ratings & Metrics

Learn more about Ratings & Metrics
Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 04/30/2025

Program Percentage: 77%

The percentage of American Jewish World Service's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$43,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $18

How many dollars American Jewish World Service spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$40,000,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Joint Costs

American Jewish World Service's rating was adjusted for Joint Costs. If you are a donor who considers direct mail, telemarketing, and other Joint Cost solicitations to be true charitable programs, the below efficiency ratios, which were not adjusted for joint costs, may better reflect your goals.

Program % Cost to Raise $100
78% $17
Accounting rules allow charities to report some telemarketing, direct mail, and other solicitation costs as Program expenses. CharityWatch believes that most donors do not consider a charity's solicitation activities to be the Programs they are intending to support with their donations. We therefore adjust such expenses out of a charity's reported Program expense and add it to Fundraising expense prior to calculating its rating.

Government Funding

0% to 24%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
American Jewish World Service Audited Financial Statements 22-2584370
American Jewish World Service IRS Form 990 22-2584370
Entity: American Jewish World Service
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 22-2584370
Entity: American Jewish World Service
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 22-2584370

Governance & Transparency

Learn more about Governance & Transparency
CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
This charity is Top-Rated
What does it mean to be Top-Rated?
 
American Jewish World Service
meets governance benchmarks.
 
American Jewish World Service
meets transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy Opt-Out Policy  

Top Salaries

Learn more about Top Salaries
  Name Title Compensation
1 Robert Bank President / CEO $468,320
2 Margo Bloom VP for Development $433,870
3 Venus Devnani Executive Vice President $409,315
1
Name: Robert Bank
Title: President / CEO
Compensation: $468,320
2
Name: Margo Bloom
Title: VP for Development
Compensation: $433,870
3
Name: Venus Devnani
Title: Executive Vice President
Compensation: $409,315

Analysts' Notes

Learn more about Analysts' Notes
CharityWatch Analysts perform an in-depth analysis of charities' audited financial statements and IRS tax filings, and often review other documents such as state filings, annual reports, and fundraising contracts during their evaluations. Below are select notes that CharityWatch believes may be of interest to donors.

According to the American Jewish World Service (AJWS) audit of April 30, 2025 (Note 3, Contributions and Contributions Receivable, Net):

"...A significant portion of AJWS’s total revenues and support, excluding donated services and goods, was provided by a single donor during the years ended April 30, 2025 and 2024. These contributions amounted to 20% and 27%, respectively, of total revenues and support when donor-advised funds are included. When donor-advised fund contributions are excluded, such percentages were 20% and 24%, respectively..."

According to the American Jewish World Service (AJWS) audit of April 30, 2025 (Note 17, Collective Bargaining Agreement)

"As of April 30, 2025, approximately 30% of the AJWS’s employees are union employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement set to expire on August 31, 2025. The agreement covers provisions including, but not limited to, annual wage increases, health insurance benefits, retirement plan benefits, leave policies and support for professional development."

According to the American Jewish World Service (AJWS) tax filing for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2025, AJWS reports re: Compensation, Supplemental Information (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part III):

Regarding severance or change-of-control payments to officers, directors, trustees, key employees and highest compensated employees (Schedule J, Part I, Line 4a):

"The following individuals received a payment in calendar year 2024 that is included in their wages...as reportable compensation. 

- VP for Finance and Administration, Danielle Edwards - $110,204

- VP for Strategic Learning & Evaluation, Irit Houvras - $127,782."


[Edwards and Houvras had total reported compensation during 2024 of $173,804 and $260,688, respectively (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part II)]. 

Related External Articles

Charities Left In Lurch As Federations Abruptly End Funding Program
AJWS Cuts Back on Domestic Advocacy After Donors Balk