International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

CharityWatch's rating of International Fellowship of Christians & Jews also includes the financial activities of the entities consolidated in IFCJ's audited financial statements for the fiscal year-ended 12/31/2023.

According to the International Fellowship of Christians & Jews 2023 consolidated audit (Note 1), the consolidated entities include:

– International Fellowship of Christians & Jews (IFCJ), a U.S. based public charity.

– IFCJ Foundation, a U.S. based public charity that serves as a supporting organization to The Fellowship.

– HaKeren L'Yedidut (the Amutah), a legal entity established as a State of Israel Registered Amutah that operates as the Israeli representative of The Fellowship.

– Foundation Korea International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ Korea), a charitable tax-exempt organization as recognized by the government of the Republic of South Korea.

IFCJ and the Amutah account for all but an insignificant portion of the organization's financial activities. All inter-organizational balances and transactions are eliminated in the audit consolidation.


Also according to the International Fellowship of Christians & Jews consolidated audit of December 31, 2023 (Note 1 re: Nature of Activities):

"The Amutah was established as a State of Israel Registered Amutah and operates as the Israeli representative of The Fellowship. The activities of the Amutah consist of direct operation of projects or recommendation to fund organizations which operate projects relating to Aliyah and absorption, poverty, welfare and security. In such cases, the Amutah acts as the 'long arm' of The Fellowship by recommending projects serving the above objectives, as well as supervising and overseeing the implementation of the projects in accordance with the terms of the grant and requesting the transfer of funds based on compliance with the terms. In order to achieve its objectives, the Amutah is substantially supported by The Fellowship. The Amutah is affiliated with The Fellowship through common membership of their respective Boards of Directors and shared senior management.

The Amutah holds 100% of the shares of Beit HaYedidut Ltd (the Subsidiary). The Subsidiary had originally been established to build a worldwide headquarters in Israel. On October 28, 2019 the Board of Directors of the Subsidiary and the Board of the Amutah decided to cease the construction of the worldwide headquarters in Israel and on November 18, 2019 decided to act to sell the asset. In accordance with this decision a deal was signed on January 5, 2023 for the sale of the property for a total amount of approximately $15.1 million (including Value Added Tax (VAT)), resulting in a gain on sale of approximately $2.8 million..."

According to the International Fellowship of Christians & Jews consolidated audit of December 31, 2023 (Note 9, Deferred Compensation):

"The Fellowship established a retirement plan (nonqualified deferred-compensation plan) for the former president with a benefit to his beneficiary in the case of his death. The former president passed away in February 2019. Under the agreement, in the case of death, the former president's beneficiary is to receive fixed monthly payments for 10 years. The Fellowship had been fully funding the future liability. In 2020, The Fellowship made a one-time tax payment to the Israel Tax Authority to pay for the present value of future payments made to the beneficiary. As of December 31, 2023, $1,004,668 have been accrued, as part of the deferred compensation liability, on the consolidated statement of financial position. 

The Fellowship funded the expected liability into a Rabbi Trust. As of December 31, 2023, the Rabbi Trust held investments of $4,091,668."

According to the International Fellowship of Christians & Jews (IFCJ) 2023 tax filing, IFCJ reports re: Compensation, Supplemental Information (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part III):

Regarding first-class travel, travel for companions, and tax indemnification and gross-up payments to officers, directors, trustees, key employees and highest compensated employees (Schedule J, Part I, Line 1a):

"...During the tax year, tax gross-up payments did not exceed $150 for any employee, except for Yael Eckstein-Farkas's gross-up payment which did not exceed $33,000."

[Yael Eckstein-Farkas, President & CEO, had total reported compensation of $769,244 during 2023 (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part III)].

Regarding nonfixed payments to officers, directors, trustees, key employees and highest compensated employees (Schedule J, Part I, Line 7):

"...No individual received a spot bonus in excess of $1,000 during the tax year, except for Lucas Puzan who received a bonus in excess of [$1,000] due to exceptional performance to accomplish organizational goals and achievements.

Robin Van Etten and Christine Jespersen received a non-fixed bonus instead of a yearly merit increase as outlined in their employment contract. The bonus did not exceed $5,500 during the year."

IFCJ reports providing "bonus & incentive compensation" during 2023 to nine individuals. Lucas Puzan, Chief Information Officer, received $10,150 of bonus and incentive compensation, with a total reported compensation of $331,997. The remaining eight individuals received $200 to $5,481 with total compensation ranging from $202,304 to $769,244.