Jewish Family Service of Utah

What Jewish Family Service of Utah does

Jewish Family Service of Utah is a nondenominational 501(c)(3) nonprofit social service agency founded in 1872, headquartered in Salt Lake City with a satellite office in Park City, Utah. The organization provides an interconnected portfolio of human services including mental health counseling on a sliding scale, the Alex & Sally Lebwohl Food Pantry (serving 4,696 individuals in 2022), emergency financial assistance, older adult services (Gleeful Choir dementia program, caregiver support, in-home respite care), a 16-week DBT Skills Group, suicide loss support, couples workshops, the Exploring Creativity arts program for adults 55+, and the Change Reaction Loan Fund microloan program. JFS serves Utah residents of all backgrounds including refugees and immigrants, with a distinctive policy of not requiring photo ID or proof of citizenship for food pantry access.

The organization delivers services through a hybrid model combining direct in-office and community-based delivery (at libraries, senior centers, and partner venues), telehealth, and a referral network that includes 211, Utah Food Bank, 14 contracted home health agencies, and partnerships with organizations such as Christian Center of Park City and Thrive Center for Survivors of Torture. Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of individual donations (Monthly Mensch recurring giving, Chai Society, tribute cards, legacy planned gifts), foundation and government grants (including a $150,000 Cambia Health Foundation grant), corporate partnerships at tiered sponsorship levels, Medicaid reimbursement for clinical mental health services (added 2024), and nominal program fees. The technology platform is described as web-based service delivery with no proprietary AI or ML components; service provision is human-staff-intensive with licensed clinicians (LCSW, CMHC, MSW), a board-certified music therapist, and certified nursing assistants.

JFS is governed by a Board of Directors that transitioned to a Co-Presidency model in January 2025 under Ann Bernstein and Lisa Treiman, following a leadership change in spring 2024 when Executive Director Melissa Zimmerman, MSW, succeeded Ellen Silver after her 19-year tenure. The organization holds a 4-star Charity Navigator rating and Platinum Candid Seal, and has received regional recognition including the 2023 Zero Hunger Hero Award and 2025 Informed Decision Maker of the Year Award from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.

Name

Jewish Family Service of Utah

Legal name

Jewish Family Service

Website

https://jfsutah.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1872

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Jewish Family Service of Utah is a 150-year-old nondenominational nonprofit in Salt Lake City providing mental health counseling, food assistance, emergency financial aid, and older adult services to Utah residents of all backgrounds.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Other Individual and Family Services (62419), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD), Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

Keywords

• Mental health counseling
• Food assistance
• Emergency financial aid
• Older adult services
• Caregiver support

Headquarters

HQ city

Salt Lake City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donors contribute through direct donations, monthly giving (Monthly Mensch program), tribute cards, and legacy planned gifts. The Chai Society represents recurring donor supporters.
2. Foundation and Government Grants: Foundation grants from Cambia Health Foundation and other institutional funders support specific programs like respite care. Government partnerships provide additional funding.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsors at various levels (Principal, etc.) provide financial support and in-kind contributions in exchange for recognition and visibility.
4. Medicaid Reimbursement: JFS now accepts Medicaid for mental health counseling services, providing reimbursement for clinical services delivered to eligible clients.
5. Fee-for-Service Programs: Some programs charge nominal fees - DBT workshop at $10/session or $160 for the full program, Couples Workshop at $20/couple. Most services are free or heavily subsidized.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Jewish Family Service of Utah is a nondenominational nonprofit social service agency providing mental health counseling (sliding-scale, Medicaid-accepted), food assistance through the Alex & Sally Lebwohl Food Pantry, emergency financial assistance (rent, utilities, medical equipment, transportation), and older adult services including caregiver support and dementia programming. Services are delivered at offices in Salt Lake City and Park City, Utah, plus virtual/telehealth and community-based locations.

Product overview

Jewish Family Service of Utah is a nondenominational nonprofit social service agency offering a portfolio of interconnected human services. The core offerings include the Alex & Sally Lebwohl Food Pantry (food assistance), Mental Health Counseling (sliding-scale therapy accepting Medicaid), Older Adults Services (including Gleeful Choir, Dementia-Friendly Activities, caregiver support), and the Safety Net Emergency Assistance Program (financial crisis support). Additional programs include Exploring Creativity (arts classes for seniors 55+), Affordable Respite Care (in-home caregiver relief), DBT Skills Groups, Suicide Loss Support Groups, and the Change Reaction Loan Fund (microloans). These services work together to address food insecurity, mental health needs, aging-related challenges, and financial crises faced by Utah residents of all backgrounds.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Alex & Sally Lebwohl Food Pantry: Food pantry providing assistance to individuals and families in need
• Gleeful Choir
• Exploring Creativity
• JFS Safety Net Emergency Assistance Program

Products and services

• Alex & Sally Lebwohl Food Pantry A food pantry providing food assistance to individuals and families in need. Operates as part of the Utah Food Bank network and does not require proof of citizenship or financial documents to receive food.
• Mental Health Counseling Affordable, sliding-scale mental health counseling services for individuals, couples, and families. Now accepts Medicaid and offers long-term therapy without session limits. Bilingual Spanish-speaking counselors available.
• Older Adults Services Comprehensive services for seniors including Aging Services, Caregiver Support programs, the Gleeful Choir for individuals with dementia and their caregivers, and Dementia-Friendly Activities.
• Safety Net Emergency Assistance Program Emergency financial assistance program helping individuals and families facing crisis with rent, utilities, medical equipment, and transportation to prevent homelessness and utility shutoffs.
• Exploring Creativity Free online arts-based program for adults 55+ featuring monthly classes in various art forms (watercolor, acrylics, Zen Doodling, memoir writing, nature journaling) taught by professional artists. Materials included at no charge.
• Affordable Respite Care Program Program providing free in-home respite care for caregivers of older adults, contracted through 14 home health agencies to help older adults age in place. Funded by Cambia Health Foundation.
• DBT Skills Group 16-week Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills workshop covering mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Priced at $10/session or $160 for the full program with scholarships available.
• Suicide Loss Support Group Free virtual support group for those grieving the loss of a loved one due to suicide, offered in collaboration with Caring Connections.
• Strengthening the Couple Workshop Workshop for couples to enhance relationships through greater empathy, intimacy, and communication skills. Priced at $20 per couple with scholarships available.
• Gleeful Choir Chorus for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers, meeting weekly at Day-Riverside Library, providing music, social connection, and cognitive stimulation.
• Memory Cafe/Dementia-Friendly Activities Activities program for individuals with dementia and their caregivers, meeting bi-weekly for crafts and stimulating activities.
• Caregiver Support Groups Monthly support groups for caregivers of loved ones with dementia or other illnesses, providing education and community.
• Change Reaction Loan Fund Interest-free microloans provided to community members in need, primarily assisting refugees with purchases such as vehicles.

Quantifiable outcome

• 162 clients received 1,000+ hours of affordable mental health counseling
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

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

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Park City Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Partner for Live PC Give PC annual giving campaign. Facilitated nonprofit participation in community giving event. Promoted JFS programs to Park City community.
• Regence BlueCross BlueShield of UtahcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable arm Cambia Health Foundation funds respite care. Media partnership featured JFS on Fox13's Healthier Together segment. JFS accepts Medicaid which may interface with Regence coverage.
• Saltz Plastic SurgeryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Partner at Principal Level. Dr. Renato Saltz serves as Founder & Chairman of Image Reborn Foundation. Family has multi-generational history of philanthropy.
• Easterseals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCSEP partnership bringing volunteers to Alex & Sally Lebwohl Food Pantry. New collaboration in 2024 bringing new volunteers including David.
• Christian Center of Park CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish Clinical Consultation Group established at CCPC with JFS bilingual counselors. Addresses culturally competent mental health services for Spanish-speaking community.
• Thrive Center for Survivors of TorturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered for years to leverage services for shared clients. JFS Board member Mara Rabin serves as Medical Director of Thrive Center.
• Utah Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Utah Food Bank network of food pantries. Receives food inventory and support through network.
• 14 Home Health AgenciescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRespite care program contracted with 14 home health agencies to provide in-home respite services to older adults and their caregivers.
• Utah Diaper BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supplies diapers to Alex & Sally Lebwohl Food Pantry monthly. Featured in Fox13 diaper drive coverage.
• Esther's GardenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity garden donating fresh produce to JFS food pantry. Helps provide healthy food to clients.
• SkullcandyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted Winter Friend-Raiser event at their Park City headquarters. In-kind venue donation for community outreach.
• Julie Nester GalleryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted friend-raiser event introducing new Executive Director to supporters in Park City.
• HomeAid UtahminorStrategic or Co-development Partner7th Annual Diaper Drive benefiting Utah Diaper Bank which supplies JFS pantry.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Valley Behavioral Health: Largest Utah-based community mental health provider offering therapy, substance use treatment, and crisis services on a sliding scale. Direct competitor for JFS's counseling services in the same market.
• Catholic Community Services of Utah: Faith-based nonprofit providing refugee resettlement, food assistance, counseling, and older adult services across Utah. Operates in the same Salt Lake service area with overlapping programs.
• Family Caregiver Alliance: National nonprofit focused on caregiver support and dementia services — same vertical as JFS's caregiver support groups, Gleeful Choir, and respite care program. Recently awarded JFS for caregiver programming.
• The Road Home: Utah nonprofit providing emergency shelter, housing, and case management — a current referral partner for JFS food pantry and a peer in crisis social services within the same geography.
• Utah Food Bank: Statewide hunger-relief network of which JFS's Alex & Sally Lebwohl Food Pantry is a member. Direct operational peer for the food assistance component and a strategic partner/supplier.
• Jewish Family & Children's Service of Southern Arizona: JFCS affiliate where JFS Utah's new Executive Director previously served as Chief Behavioral Health Officer. Directly comparable portfolio of counseling, older adult, and social services with shared JFCS movement DNA.
• Jewish Family Service LA (Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles): One of the largest Jewish-affiliated social service agencies in the U.S., offering counseling, food assistance, refugee services, and older adult programs. Direct peer in mission, service mix, and faith-based heritage, with broader scale.
• Alzheimer's Association Utah Chapter: State chapter providing dementia caregiver education, support groups, and Memory Cafés — overlapping heavily with JFS's Gleeful Choir, Dementia-Friendly Activities, and caregiver support programs.

Broad incumbents

• Huntsman Mental Health Institute (University of Utah): Academic medical center-affiliated behavioral health provider in Salt Lake City offering outpatient therapy, research-backed programs, and crisis care. Larger incumbent competing for the same Medicaid counseling clients.

Emerging players

• JFCS (Jewish Family and Children's Service) National Network: Umbrella association for the JFCS movement; connects JFS Utah with peer agencies nationwide for advocacy, training, and resource sharing. Comparable mission-aligned network peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPv-m4e7n1QUXt_knmkMgzw
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=100064801923869
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jewish-family-service-utah
• Instagraminstagram.com/jfsutah

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

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 Service of Utah