Founded in 1978, Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing essential services to individuals and families of all backgrounds. Rooted in the Jewish values of tikkun olam (repairing the world), hachnasat orchim (welcoming the stranger), and kavod (respect for every individual), JFSSV has become a vital community resource. The organization supports over 700 refugees annually, assists aging Holocaust survivors, and offers a wide range of programs through the Rick and Doris Davis Center for Older Adults and Project NOAH.
The Strategic Vision
JFSSV’s leadership had built a thriving nonprofit with deep community impact. Planning to significantly expand refugee services, Holocaust survivor support, and community programs, they identified strategic priorities that would enable sustainable growth:
- Integrated Systems for Scale. Leadership envisioned unified payroll and HRIS platforms that could scale efficiently with organizational growth, creating cohesive infrastructure designed for expansion.
- Audit Excellence and Funder Confidence. They planned proactive compliance frameworks with systematic documentation, signature protocols, and thorough filing procedures to strengthen relationships with funders and donors.
- Operational Efficiency for Mission Focus. Leadership wanted to optimize back-office functions so more resources and staff capacity could flow directly to client services.
- Scalable Infrastructure. Systems needed to support current $16M operations while enabling continued expansion to serve more refugees, Holocaust survivors, and community members.
Leadership researched solutions and chose to partner with PBO Advisory Group to build the operational foundation their growth vision required.
The Partnership
PBO Advisory Group partnered with JFSSV to implement strategic systems supporting their ambitious growth trajectory:
- Implemented Integrated Systems. PBO implemented a new payroll platform and Human Resources Information System (HRIS), creating an integrated, efficient system for managing employee data, payroll, and human resources processes. This modernization created a cohesive infrastructure that scales with the organization.
- Provided Strategic Guidance. PBO Advisory Group’s team offered ongoing support and advice to help JFSSV navigate complex financial and human resources issues.
- Building Audit Readiness. The PBO team established comprehensive processes to ensure end-to-end audit readiness. This included document management systems, signature collection protocols, filing procedures, and data storage practices. The result: two consecutive clean audits with zero findings, demonstrating strong processes and building funder and donor confidence.
- Optimizing Operations. By enhancing back-office functions, PBO helped improve organizational efficiency. This enabled leadership and staff to focus more fully on mission-critical work serving the community.
The Results
Operational Excellence Achieved
- Streamlined workflows improving efficiency for administrative functions.
- Enhanced accuracy and efficiency in HR and payroll management.
- Integrated systems designed to scale with continued growth.
- Two consecutive clean audits with zero findings.
- Strengthened funder and donor confidence through demonstrated process excellence.
Mission Impact Amplified
By optimizing operations, JFSSV can dedicate more resources and focus to core programs including refugee resettlement, Holocaust survivor support, and community assistance programs. This operational foundation directly amplifies the organization’s ability to empower people.
Strategic Infrastructure Built
- Infrastructure supporting $16M in annual operations.
- Scalable systems enabling continued expansion.
- Leadership capacity maximized for mission-critical priorities.
- Operational foundation creating competitive advantage in securing funding and expanding services.
“With our astronomical growth in the last few years, we could not have done it without the support of PBO Advisory Group,” said JFS Silicon Valley CEO Susan Frazer. “We had to build our infrastructure very quickly, really, in many ways from the ground up. PBO Advisory provided us with the guidance, as well as the people, to help make that happen. Not only are they strategic with us, but also very process and operationally oriented.”
The PBO Difference
Just as JFSSV embodies the values of tikkun olam (repairing the world) in its community service, PBO Advisory helped strengthen the organization’s operational foundation, enabling even greater impact for years to come. This partnership demonstrates what forward-thinking nonprofit leadership can achieve when they recognize growth opportunities and strategically invest in infrastructure that amplifies mission impact.
“The PBO Advisory team went above and beyond to help us gather the many documents required for our recent audit. It was a massive undertaking, and their hard work paid off — the audit is complete and came back with no findings! That’s two clean audits in a row, which speaks volumes to our funders and donors and shows that the processes PBO Advisory helped us create are working. Required signatures are being collected, documents are filed correctly, and data is stored thoroughly and on time. Thanks to the PBO Advisory team, we’re set up for continued success and smoother audits in the future.” – Susan Frazer, CEO, Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley
Ready to Amplify Your Mission Impact?
Whether your nonprofit is scaling services, preparing for growth, or seeking to optimize operations, PBO Advisory Group delivers the strategic systems and expertise that enable mission-driven organizations to achieve sustainable expansion. Contact us today to learn how we can help your organization build the operational foundation your mission deserves.
Support JFSSV
To support the incredible work of Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley, please visit jfssv.org.
