JCUA

What JCUA does

JCUA (Jewish Council on Urban Affairs) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, member-driven community organizing organization founded in 1964 in Chicago by Rabbi Robert J. Marx out of the Civil Rights Movement. It mobilizes Jewish communities in the Chicagoland area in partnership with multiracial and multifaith coalitions to pursue racial and economic justice through grassroots campaigns focused on immigration justice, community safety and police accountability, housing and economic justice, and combating antisemitism. The organization serves approximately 2,000 dues-paying members, 17 congregation partners, and 12+ coalition partners, operating from a Chicago headquarters with roughly 25 staff.

JCUA's program portfolio includes community organizing campaigns (e.g., the Empowering Communities for Public Safety ordinance passed in 2021, the S.A.L.T. immigrant-protection platform), the Community Ventures Program (a revolving zero-interest loan fund that has deployed over $10.6 million across 75 affordable housing projects in 31 neighborhoods since 1991, preserving or creating approximately 5,400 units and 1,600 jobs), youth leadership programs (Or Tzedek teen fellowship, Youth Organizing Caucus), the Kol Or Jews of Color Caucus, and training curricula on racial justice and antisemitism. The organization also operates JCUA Votes, an affiliated political/electoral program, and an annual fundraising gala (Acts of Change). JCUA does not operate a proprietary technology platform; its website is a WordPress site integrated with EveryAction for donations/email, FastAction (NGPVAN) for political actions, and standard calendar/social media tools.

JCUA's revenue model is contribution-based across three streams: individual one-time donations at tiers from $54 to $3,600, recurring membership dues (suggested at $6/month or $72 annually), and foundation/institutional grants (specific funders not prominently disclosed). The go-to-market is community-led organizing—engaging members via committee meetings, canvassing, phone-banking, cohort trainings, and congregational partnerships—rather than commercial product distribution. Since 2014, governance has been structured around a member-driven model in which dues-paying members vote on campaigns and participate in committee work; the organization is currently led by Interim Executive Director Anna Rubin following the January 2026 announced departure of Jessica Schaffer.

Name

JCUA

Legal name

Jewish Council on Urban Affairs

Website

https://jcua.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

JCUA is a Chicago-based nonprofit founded in 1964 that organizes Jewish communities and multiracial coalitions to advance racial and economic justice through grassroots campaigns, training, and affordable-housing lending.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Justice Advocacy and Community Organizing

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAKAN

Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

Keywords

• Community organizing
• Social justice advocacy
• Affordable housing loans
• Youth leadership training
• Grassroots coalition building

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: JCUA accepts individual donations at various levels ($54, $72, $100, $180, $540, $1,000, $1,800, $3,600) and encourages monthly or one-time contributions to support organizing campaigns.
2. Membership Dues: Monthly dues of any amount (suggested $6/month) or one-time annual donation of at least $72 makes individuals members of JCUA. Dues-paying members can vote on campaigns and participate in trainings.
3. Foundation Grants: JCUA likely receives foundation and institutional funding as part of its social justice work, though specific foundation names are not prominently disclosed on the website.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

JCUA is a member-driven, grassroots community organizing nonprofit that mobilizes Jewish communities in Chicago and Illinois, alongside multiracial allies, to pursue racial and economic justice through policy campaigns on immigration, community safety, and housing. It runs the Community Ventures Program, a zero-interest revolving loan fund for affordable housing developers that has deployed over $10.6 million across 75 projects since 1991, and operates youth leadership programs, racial justice and antisemitism trainings, and the JCUA Votes electoral engagement program.

Product overview

JCUA (Jewish Council on Urban Affairs) is a member-driven, grassroots community organizing organization—not a technology product company. The organization offers a portfolio of organizing programs, training initiatives, affinity groups, and financial programs aimed at mobilizing Chicago's Jewish community for racial and economic justice. Core offerings include community organizing campaigns (immigration justice, community safety, housing justice), youth leadership programs (Or Tzedek fellowship, Youth Organizing Caucus), the Kol Or Jews of Color caucus, and the Community Ventures Program (a $10.6M+ revolving loan fund for affordable housing). JCUA also provides educational trainings on racial justice, antisemitism, and restorative practices. JCUA Votes and Acts of Change represent its electoral and annual flagship event programs. The organization has no software products, applications, or developer-facing offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Organizing
• Or Tzedek
• Youth Organizing Caucus
• Kol Or Jews of Color Caucus
• Community Ventures Program (CVP)
• JCUA Votes
• JCUA Membership
• Acts of Change
• Immigration Justice Organizing
• Treatment Not Trauma Campaign
• Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ECPS)
• Housing & Economic Justice Committee

Quantifiable outcome

• $10.6 million in zero-interest loans deployed for 75 projects creating 5,400 affordable housing units and 1,600 jobs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• AvodahcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Avodah Jewish Service Corps places young Jewish adults in social justice fellowships. JCUA hosts Avodah organizers as part of this program. Benetta Mansfield served as Board Chair of Avodah.
• Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJCUA participates in ICIRR campaigns to protect and expand immigrant rights at local and state levels. Coalition successfully passed S.A.L.T. platform legislation. JCUA organizes Jewish community to support ICIRR's policy agenda.
• Treatment Not Trauma CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJCUA works with Treatment Not Trauma to advocate for non-carceral approaches to mental health crises, including reopening Chicago's public mental health clinics and expanding Crisis Assistance Response & Engagement (CARE) Vans.
• Bring Chicago HomecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJCUA is part of coalition fighting to establish dedicated revenue stream to fund housing and wraparound services for individuals experiencing homelessness in Chicago.
• Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ECPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJCUA organized for six years to implement civilian oversight of Chicago Police Department through ECPS ordinance passed in 2021. Continues working to implement and build on the new system.
• Grassroots CollaborativemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of labor and community organizations JCUA partners with for progressive policy advocacy and organizing campaigns.
• Illinois Revenue Alliance (IRA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition advocating for $6 billion+ in new progressive revenue to protect social safety nets including affordable housing, healthcare, and public transit.
• Jewish Social Justice RoundtablemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Jewish social justice coalition for sharing resources, best practices, and coordinated advocacy across Jewish organizing organizations.
• Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability (GAPA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition focused on police accountability and civilian oversight of law enforcement in Chicago.
• Collaborative for Jewish OrganizingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJCUA collaborates with CJO on antisemitism training curriculum and Jewish organizing best practices.
• Illinois Green New Deal CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition advancing green social housing policy in Illinois. JCUA helped pass Green Social Housing Ordinance in Chicago City Council.
• Free2Move CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransportation and mobility justice coalition operating in Chicago.
• Obama CBA CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition working on Community Benefits Agreement for Obama Presidential Center to ensure affordable housing, local jobs, and support for Black-owned businesses.
• Temple SholomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor congregation partner. Rabbi Scott Gellman serves on JCUA Board. Congregation actively participates in JCUA campaigns.
• Beth Emet SynagoguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCongregation partner where Rabbi Andrea London served as Senior Rabbi before joining JCUA Board. Active in JCUA organizing campaigns.
• Mishkan ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCongregation partner. Rabbi Steven Philp serves on JCUA Board. Progressive spiritual community focused on transformative Judaism.
• National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) - Great Lakes RegionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer Executive Director Jessica Schaffer transitioning to role at NCJW Great Lakes. Organizations continue collaboration within Jewish social justice ecosystem.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bend the Arc: Jewish Action: National Jewish social justice organizing network leading progressive campaigns on economic inequality, immigration, and democracy. Most direct peer to JCUA at the national level — comparable organizing model, similar member-driven advocacy, overlapping policy priorities.
• National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW): National Jewish women's organization advocating on social justice, women's rights, and immigration. Direct peer in the Jewish social justice ecosystem; JCUA's departing ED moved to NCJW Great Lakes, evidencing direct overlap in leadership pipelines and mission.
• Avodah Jewish Service Corps: Jewish service corps placing young adults in social justice fellowships at partner organizations including JCUA. Directly comparable as a Jewish social justice infrastructure organization, and explicitly partnered with JCUA through hosted organizers and shared board leadership.
• Jewish Social Justice Roundtable: Coalition of Jewish social justice organizations JCUA is a member of. Directly comparable peer in the Jewish social justice organizing ecosystem, coordinating shared resources, advocacy, and best practices across member organizations.
• T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights: Jewish rabbinic human rights organization mobilizing Jewish communities on immigrant rights, refugee protection, and human rights in Israel-Palestine. Directly comparable as a Jewish human rights advocacy org, with similar coalition-driven campaigns and Jewish values framing.
• Faith in Action (formerly PICO National Network): National faith-based community organizing network running congregational-based campaigns on economic and racial justice. Directly comparable in methodology (member-led organizing, congregation-based structure, coalition-driven legislative wins); JCUA explicitly models itself on this tradition.

Broad incumbents

• HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society): Major Jewish refugee resettlement and immigrant advocacy organization operating nationally and globally. Overlaps with JCUA's immigration justice work at scale but operates a much larger institutional footprint with refugee resettlement services JCUA does not provide.
• ADL (Anti-Defamation League): Major Jewish civil rights organization focused on combating antisemitism and hate. Overlaps with JCUA's antisemitism training work but operates at a national scale with a much larger staff and different methodology (defense/education rather than grassroots organizing).
• Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA): National Jewish community relations umbrella coordinating Jewish organizations on public policy. Operates as a broader institutional umbrella where JCUA's grassroots organizing is a specialized complement.

Regional players

• ISAIAH (Minnesota): Faith-based community organizing network in Minnesota running member-led campaigns on housing, immigration, and racial equity. Highly comparable to JCUA in organizing methodology and issue portfolio, but operates in a different regional geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/jcua_chicago
• Facebookfacebook.com/JCUAchicago
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jcua
• Instagraminstagram.com/jcua_chicago

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about JCUA