Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics

Genetic Screening Servicesjewishgenetics.org

The Norton & Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics is a Chicago nonprofit that provides affordable carrier screening for 200+ Jewish genetic disorders, hereditary BRCA cancer testing, and genetic counseling to Jewish individuals, couples planning families, and the broader Jewish community in the Midwest.

Company typePrivate
Founded1999
HeadquartersChicago, United States
Headcount1–10
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics does

The Norton & Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics is a Chicago-based nonprofit founded in 1999 (originally as the Center for Jewish Genetics) that delivers genetic screening, counseling, and community education tailored to Jewish populations, with particular emphasis on Ashkenazi Jewish individuals and couples. Its core offerings are a Carrier Screening Program covering more than 200 recessive genetic disorders common in the Jewish community, and a Hereditary Cancer Testing Program focused on BRCA-related and other hereditary cancers prevalent in individuals of Jewish descent; both programs include access to genetic counseling before and after testing. Services are delivered primarily through online registration with home-based screening kits, supplemented by educational webinars, community events at synagogues and Jewish community centers, and a free Jewish Genetics Curriculum Kit for both youth (ages 12-18) and adult audiences.

The organization operates as a supporting foundation of the Jewish United Fund (JUF) and receives partial funding from the Michael Reese Health Trust. Its revenue model is donation- and grant-funded rather than fee-based; carrier screening is offered at low-to-no cost in alignment with its mission. The go-to-market approach is community-led, leveraging partnerships with synagogues (Chicago Loop Synagogue, Emanuel Congregation, Anshe Emet, Makom Solel Lakeside), the Chicago/Midwest Jewish Chaplains Group, healthcare professionals, the Cancer Wellness Center, Northwestern University, and peer-support organizations such as FORCE and The Magnolia Tree Foundation. Supporting the mission is a small team of six staff and a recurring Lewis Summer Intern fellowship that engages college students in genetics education and outreach.

The center is positioned as a domain specialist rather than a general genetic testing provider, differentiating on more than two decades of expertise in Jewish-specific founder-effect disorders and BRCA mutations. Its operational scale is modest — six employees, a single Chicago headquarters, and a regional Midwest geographic footprint — but its brand and partner network within the Chicago Jewish community are its primary competitive assets. Strategic activity in 2026 indicates active programmatic expansion rather than scale acceleration, with the new Hereditary Cancer Testing Program launch, additional CLE and legal-pillar partnerships, and ongoing curriculum and fellowship investments pointing to incremental diversification of services and audiences.

Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics
Legal name: Norton & Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics
Website: https://jewishgenetics.org
Company type: Private
Founded year: 1999
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 1–10 employees
Short description: The Norton & Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics is a Chicago nonprofit that provides affordable carrier screening for 200+ Jewish genetic disorders, hereditary BRCA cancer testing, and genetic counseling to Jewish individuals, couples planning families, and the broader Jewish community in the Midwest.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics industry classification

Industry

Product category: Genetic Screening Services
NAICS: Medical Laboratories (621511), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (62151)
SIC: In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)
akta.pro industry: PRIMARYHLAAALAD
Genetic & Genomic Testing (germline, somatic, carrier, pharmacogenomics)
Healthcare & Life Sciences/Biotechnology & Biologics/Diagnostics (Biotech-related)
SECONDARYHLAAALAJ
Prenatal, Newborn & Reproductive Diagnostics (NIPT, IVF/PGT, newborn screening)
Healthcare & Life Sciences/Biotechnology & Biologics/Diagnostics (Biotech-related)
SECONDARYHLAGADAF
Molecular & Genetic Testing (PCR/NGS/qPCR)
Healthcare & Life Sciences/Life Science Tools & Services (CRO/CDMO/Lab Services)/Laboratory Testing & Analytical Services

Keywords

Genetic screening services
Hereditary cancer testing
Genetic counseling
Community health education
Family planning support

Where Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Chicago
HQ country: United States
HQ region: North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

Donations and Foundation Support: The Norton & Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics is a supporting foundation of the Jewish United Fund and is supported in part by the Michael Reese Health Trust. Revenue comes from donations and foundation grants rather than service fees.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Other	Annual	Affordable carrier screening program

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics product offering

Product offering

Core offering

The Sarnoff Center provides affordable, accessible genetic carrier screening for more than 200 recessive disorders common in the Jewish community, plus hereditary cancer (BRCA) testing and risk assessment, supported by genetic counseling services before and after testing. Programs are delivered primarily through online registration with home-based screening kits, complemented by community education, webinars, and partnerships with synagogues, clergy, and healthcare providers across Chicagoland.

Product overview

The Norton & Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics offers a suite of genetic health services focused on the Jewish community. The core offerings include a Carrier Screening Program (screening for 200+ recessive genetic disorders) and a Hereditary Cancer Testing Program (BRCA and hereditary cancer risk assessment). Supporting offerings include free educational resources (Jewish Genetics Curriculum Kit for youth and adults), personal stories testimonials, and a Lewis Summer Fellowship program. All screening programs include access to genetic counseling services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

Carrier Screening Program An affordable, accessible genetic carrier screening program for Jewish individuals and couples, allowing most participants to get screened from home. Screens for more than 200 recessive genetic disorders more common in the Jewish community.
Hereditary Cancer Testing Program Hereditary cancer risk assessment and testing program providing guidance on BRCA-related and other hereditary cancers common in individuals of Jewish descent, with information about where to obtain counseling and screening.
Genetic Counseling Services Genetic counselor consultations available before and after screening to explain results, discuss family planning options, and help participants understand what results mean for their families.

Quantifiable outcome

1 in 4 Ashkenazi Jews is a carrier for a Jewish genetic disorder, and the Center provides affordable screening to help identify carriers
+2 more outcomes

Companies that use Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics

Customer profile

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

Cancer Wellness CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on webinars about genetics and cancer, including programs on precision cancer treatments and exploring genetic links to cancer.
Women's Bar Association of IllinoisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted hybrid CLE program examining intersection of genetic testing, reproductive health, and legal/policy frameworks.
Decalogue Society of LawyersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted hybrid CLE program on genetic testing, reproductive health, and policy.
Chicago/Midwest Jewish Chaplains GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to strengthen connection between Jewish chaplains and Sarnoff Center resources, exploring how chaplains can help families understand genetic health concerns.
Makom Solel LakesideminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity partnership for educational program on hereditary cancer in the Jewish community.
Chicago Loop SynagogueminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership hosting webinar on hereditary cancer testing for community members.
Emanuel CongregationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSynagogue partnership hosting Genetic Shabbat with presentation on hereditary cancer testing program.
Anshe Emet SynagogueminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership hosting inaugural Chicago Jewish Young Adult Shabbaton with genetics education programming.
JUF Young Leadership Division (YLD)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJoint programming for young adult engagement in Jewish genetics education.
Northwestern UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Kara Goldman from Northwestern presented at co-hosted CLE program on genetic testing and reproductive health.
Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing peer-to-peer support for families facing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Community members connect with FORCE after learning about their BRCA status.
The Magnolia Tree FoundationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNonprofit founded by Zach's family after his sister's breast cancer diagnosis to provide education and financial assistance to others affected by BRCA mutations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Broad incumbents

23andMe: Direct-to-consumer genetic testing company offering BRCA and carrier-status reports among a much broader ancestry/health product. Competes for Jewish-community awareness and BRCA screening demand but does not specialize in the niche or provide the counseling-led model.
Myriad Genetics: Established diagnostics company whose BRACAnalysis was the original BRCA1/2 test. Comparable on hereditary cancer testing but operates at vastly different scale and is a clinical-lab incumbent rather than a community organization.
GeneDx: Clinical genetics lab offering hereditary cancer panels and rare-disease testing at national scale. Competes in the molecular diagnostic space relevant to the Center's hereditary cancer and carrier screening offerings.
Color Health: Population-scale genetic testing provider offering hereditary cancer (including BRCA1/2) and carrier screening to clinicians and consumers. Competes directly on hereditary-cancer testing capability, but serves a broad population rather than a community-specific niche.

Direct peers

Victor Center for the Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases: Einstein Healthcare / community-funded program offering Jewish-focused carrier screening and education. Comparable service mix (carrier screening, education, community outreach) and overlapping audience of families planning children.
Dor Yeshorim: Orthodox-Jewish community organization that runs confidential premarital genetic screening for recessive disorders common in the Jewish population. Direct peer in mission (Jewish-community carrier screening) and population served, with deeper reach into Orthodox communities.
Center for Jewish Genetic Health (Johns Hopkins): Johns Hopkins Medicine program focused on hereditary cancer risk and reproductive carrier screening in the Jewish community. Closely comparable scope (carrier screening + hereditary cancer + counseling) and similar nonprofit/academic model.
JScreen: Emory University-affiliated nonprofit offering at-home carrier screening and reproductive genetic testing explicitly targeted at Jewish / Ashkenazi populations. Directly competes for the same family-planning and Ashkenazi screening audience, with comparable counseling and home-kit distribution.

Others

Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE): National nonprofit supporting families with hereditary breast, ovarian, and related cancers (HBOC). The Sarnoff Center explicitly refers BRCA-positive community members to FORCE, making it a downstream ecosystem partner rather than a competitor.
National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC): Professional society representing genetic counselors — the professional backbone of the Sarnoff Center's counseling-led value proposition. Ecosystem organization rather than a direct competitor, but shapes the labor pool and practice standards the Center relies on.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics

What does Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics do?

Is Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics a public or private company?

Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.

When was Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics founded?

Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics was founded in 1999. It employs 1 to 10 people.

Where is Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics based?

Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.

How does Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics make money?

One revenue line is on record: donations and Foundation Support.

Who are Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics's main competitors?

Broad incumbents on record are 23andMe, Myriad Genetics, GeneDx and Color Health. Direct peers are Victor Center for the Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases, Dor Yeshorim, Center for Jewish Genetic Health (Johns Hopkins) and JScreen. Others are Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE) and National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC).

Does Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics have an API?

No public API is recorded for Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics.

What industry is Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics in?

Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics's product category is Genetic Screening Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAALAD, Genetic & Genomic Testing (germline, somatic, carrier, pharmacogenomics), with a secondary code of HLAAALAJ, Prenatal, Newborn & Reproductive Diagnostics (NIPT, IVF/PGT, newborn screening). Its NAICS code is 621511 and its SIC code is 2835.