Jewish Family Services

What Jewish Family Services does

Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services agency headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, founded in 1993 by the Jewish Federation of Washtenaw County. The organization operates an integrated portfolio of human services programs serving refugees and immigrants, older adults, youth, and individuals and families in need across Washtenaw County and the Greater Toledo area (via the Greater Toledo Newcomer Center opened in 2024). Its service lines include RISE (resettlement, immigration, ESL/citizenship classes, youth empowerment), WISE Aging Services (senior center, caregiver support, safety net), Nourish Nutrition Services (specialty food pantry, Meals on Wheels, congregate meals, medically tailored meals), Thrive Counseling (mental health and behavioral health), JFSGO Transportation (medical and community rides via a mixed fleet), GROW (employment services), and Youth Services — supported by 500+ registered volunteers and multilingual interpretation capacity spanning 20+ languages. The organization holds continuous CARF International accreditation since 2009 at the highest 3-year level, a Charity Navigator 4-star rating, and a GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit funding stack. Revenue is generated from four primary streams: (1) individual and corporate donations collected via direct mail, online giving (Giveffect), and in-kind contributions; (2) signature event fundraising including Walk a Mile in My Shoes, Songs for Support, Dinner with the Chef, and Les Ecuries Concert, incorporating ticket sales, peer-to-peer fundraising, and corporate sponsorships (DTE, Verizon, Bank of Ann Arbor, Zingerman's, Old National Bank); (3) federal, state, and local government grants and millage-funded contracts covering refugee resettlement, mental health, and youth programming; and (4) program service fees for transportation, interpretation, and translation services offered to business partners at negotiated rates. Services to clients are delivered on a sliding-scale or no-cost basis. Distribution is direct via in-person intake at the Ann Arbor headquarters and Toledo satellite, online JotForm service requests, and an inbound referral network comprising schools (AAPS, WICIR), healthcare providers, HIAS, United Way, and the Jewish Federation. There is no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is human-staff-driven case management. In early 2025 the organization faced a material federal funding shock when its U.S. State Department contract via HIAS was cancelled, creating an approximately $550K funding gap alongside SAMHSA program cuts, prompting service restructuring while the organization simultaneously pursued geographic and programmatic expansion.

Name

Jewish Family Services

Legal name

Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County

Website

https://jfsannarbor.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1993 providing refugee resettlement, older adult services, mental health counseling, nutrition, transportation, and youth programs to Washtenaw County and Greater Toledo residents through CARF-accredited, grant- and donation-funded programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Dementia & Alzheimer’s Respite Care (HSABAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Respite Care for Adults with Disabilities / Special Needs (HSABAGAI), Eating & Feeding Assistance (HSABABAE)

Keywords

• Social services nonprofit
• Refugee resettlement services
• Older adult caregiving
• Mental health counseling
• Community nutrition programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Ann Arbor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and corporate donations received through direct mail, online giving platforms (Giveffect), and event fundraising campaigns.
2. Event Fundraising: Revenue from signature events including Walk a Mile in My Shoes, Songs for Support concert, Dinner with the Chef, and Les Ecuries Concert. Includes ticket sales, sponsorships, and peer-to-peer fundraising.
3. Government Grants and Contracts: Federal, state, and local government grants and millage grants supporting programs such as refugee resettlement, mental health services, and youth programming. Has received federal grants including SAMHSA funding and millage-funded psychiatric, transportation, and translation services.
4. Program Service Fees: Fees for services including transportation, interpretation and translation services offered to the community and business partners.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services agency that provides a portfolio of direct human services programs to individuals, families, and seniors in Washtenaw County and the surrounding region. Its core offerings include older adult caregiving and senior center services (WISE), nutrition services such as food pantry, Meals on Wheels, and medically tailored meals (Nourish), outpatient mental health counseling (Thrive), transportation for medical and community needs (JFSGO), employment and career services (GROW), and refugee resettlement and immigration services including the Greater Toledo Newcomer Center (RISE).

Product overview

Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County is a private nonprofit social services agency offering a comprehensive portfolio of human services programs. The organization operates as a single unified service model (not a platform-plus-modules architecture), providing interconnected programs including WISE Aging Services (safety net, senior center, caregiver support), Nourish Nutrition Services (food pantry, Meals on Wheels, congregate meals, medically tailored meals), Thrive Counseling (mental health services), JFSGO Transportation, GROW employment services, RISE resettlement and immigration services, and Youth Services. These programs are designed to work together holistically, supporting individuals and families across multiple life stages and needs—from refugee resettlement to elder care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WISE Aging Services Comprehensive aging services program for older adults in Washtenaw County, bundling WISE Safety Net emergency assistance, Wise Senior Center programming, CARES caregiver support and respite, and WISE CHOICE programs. Serves older adults, family caregivers, and seniors at risk of social isolation, food insecurity, or mobility limitations.
• Nourish Nutrition Services Food assistance program comprising the Nourish Specialty Food Pantry serving Washtenaw County, the Meals on Wheels home delivery service, Congregate Meals for older adults, and Medically Tailored Meals including those serving pregnant women with gestational diabetes. Supported by the Nourish Commercial Kitchen launched in 2023.
• Thrive Counseling Outpatient mental health and behavioral health counseling services for individuals, youth, and families, including individual therapy, group programs such as the Dungeons and Dragons summer group for social anxiety, and CARF-accredited Outpatient Treatment/Mental Health (Adults) services.
• JFSGO Transportation Transportation services providing rides to medical appointments, social outings, school, and community activities using a fleet of cars, handicap-accessible vans, and vehicles transporting up to 12 individuals. Offers business-partner transportation contracts in addition to direct client service.
• GROW Employment and Career Services Employment and career services program helping individuals achieve professional goals through job readiness training, employment support, and workforce development, supported by MIWorks! partnerships.
• RISE Resettlement and Immigration Services Refugee resettlement and immigration services including the Greater Toledo Newcomer Center, citizenship classes, ESL classes, youth empowerment programs, and JFS MADE services. Delivered under HIAS Refugee Resettlement Network membership prior to the 2025 contract cancellation.
• Greater Toledo Newcomer Center (GTNC) Satellite resettlement and integration program operated by JFS of Washtenaw County from Toledo, Ohio, providing newcomer case management and community integration services in the Greater Toledo area.
• Youth Services Programs supporting youth development and well-being, including youth empowerment, school-based mental health coordination with Ann Arbor Public Schools, and clinical youth services aligned with Thrive Counseling.
• Interpretation and Translation Business Services Multilingual interpretation and translation services covering 20+ languages, offered to local businesses, employers, and community partners under the JFS Business Partner program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2025 Walk a Mile in My Shoes raised $152,942 of $300,000 goal
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

45 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHIAS is a key strategic partner in the refugee resettlement network. JFS was part of the HIAS Refugee Resettlement Network (five new sites joined in September 2023). JFS had its U.S. State Dept contract with HIAS cancelled in early 2025, causing significant funding gaps of approximately $550K.
• Jewish Federation of Washtenaw CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJFS was originally established by the Jewish Federation of Washtenaw County in 1993 to assist refugee families. The Federation remains a core founding partner and community anchor.
• University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & DanceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUniversity of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance partnered with JFS for the Songs for Support 2026 concert — second annual event at Washtenaw Community College Morris Lawrence Building.
• Washtenaw Community CollegeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for Songs for Support 2026 concert at Morris Lawrence Building, 4800 East Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, MI.
• Chef Jordan Balduf / Side Biscuit RestaurantminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChef Jordan Balduf of Side Biscuit restaurant partnered with JFS for the Dinner with the Chef event supporting Nourish Specialty Food Pantry and Commercial Kitchen.
• WICIR (Washtenaw County Intermediate School District)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWICIR (Washtenaw County Intermediate School District) is a key partner — JFS and WICIR jointly supported through the Les Ecuries Concert fundraising events to support the immigrant and refugee community.
• Greater Toledo Newcomer Center (GTNC)coreOthersGreater Toledo Newcomer Center powered by JFS of Washtenaw County — JFS operates this satellite program providing resettlement and integration services in the Toledo, Ohio area.
• Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJFS participates in AAPS Student Mental Health Partnerships Summit alongside 19 community organizations and 30 district staff to coordinate mental health services for students using the MTSS framework.
• Area Agency on Aging (AgeWays)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a community partner supporting older adult services including WISE Senior Center programming.
• Food GathererscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood Gatherers is listed as a community partner — the regional food bank whose network JFS participates in for food distribution.
• AmeriCorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmeriCorps is listed as a community partner, supporting volunteer programming and national service within JFS operations.
• MIWorks!coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIWorks! is listed as a community partner supporting employment services and workforce development programs.
• United Way of Washtenaw CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way of Washtenaw County (Washtenaw Welcome initiative) is listed as a community partner supporting newcomer integration.
• Meals on Wheels AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeals on Wheels America affiliation supports JFS Nourish Nutrition Services' Meals on Wheels delivery program for homebound older adults.
• Jewish Federation of North AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational federation partner supporting JFS operations and advocacy efforts through the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies.
• DTE EnergyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDTE Energy is a Gold sponsor of Walk a Mile 2025. DTE Energy Senior Manager Tray McGuire serves as Event Chair for Walk a Mile 2026, leading customer and community engagement initiatives.
• VerizonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVerizon is a Platinum sponsor of Walk a Mile 2025 and digital-ready partner supporting community connectivity initiatives.
• Bank of Ann ArborminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBank of Ann Arbor is a Gold sponsor of Walk a Mile 2025 and sponsor for Walk a Mile 2026.
• Old National BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOld National Bank is a Gold sponsor of Walk a Mile 2025 and has a Walk a Mile team for employee engagement.
• Domino'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDomino's is a Gold sponsor of Walk a Mile 2025.
• Zingerman's Community of BusinessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerZingerman's Community of Business is a Gold sponsor of Walk a Mile 2025 and sponsor of Walk a Mile 2026.
• Comerica BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerComerica Bank is a Bronze sponsor of Walk a Mile 2025.
• MeijerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMeijer is a Partner-level sponsor of Walk a Mile 2025.
• DoorDashminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDoorDash donated a $200 gift card as a fundraising incentive for Walk a Mile 2025 and is a Silver sponsor.
• JCC of Greater Ann ArborcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor partners with JFS for WISE Senior Center programming — the WISE at the J congregate lunch program takes place at the JCC on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
• Huntington ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHuntington Construction is a Silver sponsor of Walk a Mile 2025.
• Jewish Federation of Greater Ann ArborcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor is a Bronze sponsor of Walk a Mile 2025 and foundational community partner.
• ButzelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerButzel (law firm) is a Partner-level sponsor of Walk a Mile 2025.
• PistonsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDetroit Pistons donated an Ausar Thompson signed full-sized basketball as a fundraising incentive prize for Walk a Mile 2025.
• Retirement Income SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRetirement Income Solutions is a Gold sponsor of Walk a Mile 2025 and sponsor of Walk a Mile 2026.
• KIGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKIG is a Silver sponsor of Walk a Mile 2025.
• SnoozeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSnooze (mattress company) is a Bronze sponsor of Walk a Mile 2025.
• Swag ConsultantsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSwag Consultants is a Bronze sponsor of Walk a Mile 2025 and sponsor of Walk a Mile 2026.
• Homewatch CaregiversminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHomewatch Caregivers is a Partner-level sponsor of Walk a Mile 2025 and Team Homewatch participates as a fundraising team.
• Habonim Dror Camp TavorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHabonim Dror Camp Tavor is a Bronze sponsor of Walk a Mile 2025 and has a fundraising team.
• Eastern Michigan University (EMU)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEMU Eagles team participates in Walk a Mile 2025 as a fundraising team, reflecting university engagement with refugee resettlement services.
• Old National Bank (Songs for Support 2026)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOld National Bank is a sponsor of Songs for Support 2026 concert.
• Runyonland ProductionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRunyonland Productions is a sponsor of Songs for Support 2026.
• Network of Jewish Human Service AgenciescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJFS participates in the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies annual Advocacy Fly-In, joining 40 professionals from 23 agencies across 17 states to advocate on SNAP, Medicaid, and Medicare issues.
• Food Is Medicine CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJFS is a member of the Food Is Medicine Coalition, advocating for the Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Program Pilot Act at the federal level.
• University Lutheran ChapelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUniversity Lutheran Chapel hosts the Les Ecuries Concert benefiting JFS and WICIR.
• Zion Lutheran ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerZion Lutheran Church hosts Les Ecuries Concert 2026 benefiting JFS and WICIR.
• Prohaska FarmsminorOthersLocal farm providing fresh produce featured in the Dinner with the Chef menu by Chef Jordan Balduf.
• Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity (LEO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan LEO is listed as a community partner supporting workforce development and economic opportunity programs.
• OCED / Housing AccesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOCED (Office of Community and Economic Development / Housing Access) is listed as a community partner supporting housing and community development programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• JFS of Metropolitan Detroit: A sister Jewish family services agency in Michigan offering older-adult care, counseling, and resettlement; nearly identical service model in an adjacent territory.
• Samaritas: Michigan-based faith-affiliated human services nonprofit delivering refugee resettlement, senior services, and family support—overlapping programs in the same state.
• Bethany Christian Services: Michigan-headquartered nonprofit providing refugee resettlement, foster care, and family services, overlapping with JFS's resettlement and family support work.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA: National faith-based social services network providing resettlement, food, counseling, and elder services—broadly overlapping but far larger and multi-regional.
• International Rescue Committee: Major refugee resettlement and integration organization; overlaps directly with JFS's RISE/newcomer programs at national scale.
• Global Refuge (Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service): National resettlement and integration nonprofit serving newcomers, directly comparable to JFS's immigrant services at larger scale.

Others

• HIAS: National Jewish refugee resettlement agency and JFS's own resettlement network partner; comparable mission but functions as an upstream affiliate/funder rather than local competitor.
• Meals on Wheels America: National home-delivered meals network and JFS Nourish affiliation partner; overlaps on senior nutrition delivery rather than the full service portfolio.

Direct peers

• Jewish Family and Children's Services (SF Bay Area): Comprehensive Jewish family services agency offering aging, counseling, food, and immigration programs—closely mirrors JFS's one-stop service model.
• Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County: Local Ann Arbor human services nonprofit offering counseling, senior, and family support in the same county—directly competes for clients, volunteers, and funders.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@JFSWashtenaw
• Facebookfacebook.com/jfsannarbor
• Xx.com/jfsannarbor

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Jewish Family Services