Bridging Faiths and Nurturing Humanity: The Remarkable Rise of the International Fellowship of Christian and Jews

In December of 2021, Forbes unveiled its annual roster of America’s Top 100 Charities, shining a spotlight on the nation’s largest tax-exempt nonprofit organizations. Among these philanthropic giants, a remarkable newcomer graced the list: the International Fellowship of Christian and Jews (IFCJ), securing the 100th position with a commendable $167 million in private donations.

The ranking was established based on financial data from the fiscal year concluding on December 31, 2020. The IFCJ’s ascension to this prestigious list was notably marked by a substantial increase in its assets compared to the preceding fiscal year, showcasing a trend that defied the financial challenges wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic. Forbes reported that, in 2020, donations among its Top 100 charities surged by an impressive 10%, defying the odds and reinforcing the resilience of charitable giving in the face of adversity.

It’s essential to note that the private support contributing to these rankings encompasses a wide spectrum, including gifts from individuals, estates, corporations, other nonprofits, federated campaigns, and fundraising events. These contributions can take various forms, including cash, securities, goods, real estate, and even labor, if the charity can quantify such efforts in its reports. However, government grants, revenue from sales or services, and investment returns do not factor into this calculation.

Forbes doesn’t merely highlight the dollar figures; it also employs two essential metrics to assess how effectively these charities utilize their resources: the Fundraising Efficiency ratio and the Charitable Commitment ratio.

Charitable Commitment, a metric in which the IFCJ scored an impressive 74%, quantifies the proportion of a charity’s total expenses directed towards its charitable mission, as opposed to administrative overhead and fundraising expenses. Charitable watchdogs recommend that this ratio should not fall below 65%, with allowances for construction expenses that may influence the figure.

Fundraising Efficiency, which assesses the percentage of private donations remaining after deducting fundraising expenses, is another crucial metric. IFCJ boasts an impressive 89% fundraising efficiency, significantly surpassing the 65-70% efficiency score considered minimally respectable within the charitable sector.

Yael Eckstein, serving as the President and CEO of the IFCJ, draws an annual salary of $625,980. While the organization is headquartered in Chicago, Eckstein resides in Israel and serves as its international spokesperson. In her words, “The best and most meaningful part about being included on this list is that we’ve been able to help so many people in need.”

Indeed, the IFCJ’s remarkable journey has been marked by its unwavering commitment to making a positive impact. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the organization extended assistance to 2 million individuals. In 2021, they celebrated another remarkable year by providing aid to even more. This underscores their mission: to be the leading nonprofit fostering connections between Christians and Jews, blessing Israel and the global Jewish community with humanitarian care and lifesaving aid.

The IFCJ’s dedication and impact have not gone unnoticed. In 2021, the organization received numerous accolades, including being named one of the “Best Nonprofits to Work For” by the NonProfit Times and “Organization of the Year” by the ANA Nonprofit Federation. Furthermore, Yael Eckstein was honored as one of the “50 Most Influential Jews of 2021” by the Jerusalem Post.

Founded in 1983 by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, the IFCJ was established with a mission to promote understanding and cooperation between Christians and Jews and garner broad support for Israel. Today, it stands as one of the foremost organizations aiding Israel and Jews worldwide and represents the largest channel of Christian support for Israel. Predominantly funded by Christian donors committed to assisting Israel and the Jewish community, the IFCJ has raised an astounding $1.8 billion since its inception. With offices in Jerusalem, Chicago, Toronto, and Seoul, it continues to expand its reach and impact.

In an era marked by division, the International Fellowship of Christian and Jews exemplifies the power of unity and compassion. Its inclusion on Forbes’ list of America’s Top 100 Charities is not merely a recognition of financial achievement; it symbolizes the enduring potential of faith and humanity working hand in hand. To learn more about the IFCJ and contribute to their vital mission, visit https://www.ifcj.org.

In closing, the IFCJ’s remarkable journey is a testament to the transformative power of empathy and collaboration, transcending faith and borders to create a brighter future for all.