Jewish National Fund of Canada is a 1-star charity with a below-average results reporting score. It is not financially transparent and has reserve funds to cover program costs for over nine years.

Founded in 1901, Jewish National Fund of Canada (JNF) is the Canadian branch of Jewish National Fund, working to develop the land and infrastructure of Israel. JNF is committed to building strong foundations for Israel’s communities. By 2007, Jewish National Fund owned 13% of the land in Israel, much of which is in the Negev area. The charity has planted over 240 million trees, turning 700,000 acres of desert into livable land.

DONOR ADVISORY: On August 20, 2019 the CRA Charities Directorate notified JNF that it intends to revoke its charity status as it no longer met the conditions for charitable registration. JNF has submitted a detailed objection and appeal. As of December 2021, this issue remains unresolved. The financial note in the audited financial statements about this issue is redacted in the most recently available financial statements (F2021).

JNF Canada works in Israel and Canada. Its programs in Israel focus on funding social and environmental infrastructure, while its Canadian projects focus on outreach and education in Jewish communities. JNF states that it has five core programs: Builders Circle, Climate Solutions Prize, JNF Education, JNF Families, and JNF Future. The charity does not provide a breakdown of spending by program.

In F2022, JNF funded 20 projects, including a woman’s shelter, playgrounds, and therapy and treatment rooms. The Climate Solutions Prize aims to fund innovations and research that address climate change. In F2022, the charity awarded recipients of the Climate Solutions Prize with over $2.2m in prizes.

The data used above reflects JNF Canada’s most recent 2022 Impact Report, while the financial analysis below reflects F2021 financial information.

Old News: On January 4, 2019 CBC and other media reported on Canadian donations to JNF Canada used to fund projects linked to Israeli military, which contravenes Canada's charity laws.

JNF Canada is not financially transparent. Its audited financial statements are not posted on its website nor provided when requested. Charity Intelligence's financial review uses the F2021 audited financial statements. This is the most recent information we have received from the Charities Directorate from our request for information.

Jewish National Fund of Canada received $20.6m in donations in F2021, up 162% from $7.9m in F2020.

Administrative costs are 15% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 7% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 23%. For every $1 donated, 77 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. 

JNF Canada has reserve funds of $32.9m, up 36% from $24.2m in F2021. The charity could cover almost nine years and five months of annual program costs at the F2021 level with existing reserve funds.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Jewish National Fund of Canada for review. Comments and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on August 3, 2023 by Kiara Andrade.