JDC
Global Jewish humanitarian organization founded 1914, operating in 70+ countries, led by CEO Ariel Zwang. Total revenue ~$446 million, net assets ~$765 million. A principal recipient of US Jewish federation overseas-allocation funding alongside the Jewish Agency. Has assisted over 57,850 vulnerable Jews in Ukraine since 2022, part of a $100 million-plus collective Federation response alongside the Jewish Agency and World ORT.
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), known as "the Joint," is a global Jewish humanitarian organization founded in 1914 to coordinate US Jewish assistance to European Jews during World War I. Led by CEO Ariel Zwang, JDC now operates in more than 70 countries with total annual revenue of roughly $446 million, and remains a principal recipient of US Jewish federation overseas-allocation funding alongside the Jewish Agency for Israel.
What Does JDC's Budget Look Like Today?
As of its most recent reporting, JDC recorded total revenue of about $446 million, including $328 million in private donations, $53 million in government support and $65 million in other income, against total expenses of roughly $376 million, of which $338 million went to charitable services. The organization held net assets of about $765 million, with a charitable commitment ratio of 90%, and CEO Ariel Zwang's reported compensation was $897,783.
How Has JDC Responded to the War in Ukraine?
JDC has assisted more than 57,850 vulnerable Jews in Ukraine since the war began in 2022, with more than 42,800 continuing to receive ongoing emergency aid such as food, medicine, homecare and trauma support, and more than 42,650 refugees provided vital necessities after fleeing the country. Jewish Federations of North America, together with the Jewish Agency, JDC and World ORT, have collectively raised and allocated more than $100 million in Ukraine humanitarian aid since the war began, including over 1.6 million pounds of supplies such as food, coal, heaters and cooking stoves delivered to Jewish communities in Ukraine and Moldova, and eight trauma support centers that have helped more than 3,700 people cope with war-related stress.
What Is JDC's Broader Institutional Mandate?
JDC's mandate spans international Jewish institutional support across Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, the Middle East and North Africa, Israel, Latin America and the broader global Jewish community; humanitarian response in major emergencies, including post-Soviet Jewish reconstruction in the 1990s, Ethiopian Jewish absorption, the Ukraine crisis since 2022, and the post-October 7, 2023 response; Israeli social-service activity through JDC-Israel; and coordination with the Jewish Agency for Israel and other international partners.
Who Funds JDC?
JDC is a primary recipient institution of US Jewish federation overseas-allocation funding alongside the Jewish Agency for Israel, supplemented by major individual donor and foundation support, and by government grants for specific humanitarian programs.
Read Next in The Olam
- The Jewish Agency for Israel — JDC's principal Israeli coordination partner
- JFNA · Overseas Allocation — The principal US funding channel
- Keren Hayesod — The international (non-North American) sister body
- Federation Campaign · Annual Campaign — Upstream campaign mechanics