California Forward
Ca fwd drives action to identify solutions that can be taken to scale to meet the challenges the state is facing. The organization is driven by the belief that regional solutions across the state will help ensure economic, environmental, and social prosperity.
California Forward at a glance
In short: California Forward gave $12K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $12K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $12,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- Average grant
- $12,000
- Median grant
- $12,000
- Total assets
- $922,279
- -55.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Who California Forward funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was California Forward Action Fund ($12K).
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 5 grants of 8 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $12K (2024, 18 months) to $330K (2022). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $12K.
*2024: Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
*2024: Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California Forward Action Fund Sacramento, CA | Program and Management Operations - Non Partisan Advocacy. | $12,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024* | $922,279 | $3,993,838 | $4,871,800 | $12,000 | 1 | $3,708 |
| 2023 | $2,091,575 | $2,661,042 | $4,762,678 | $213,000 | 1 | $11,661 |
| 2022 | $4,041,269 | $6,989,171 | $4,660,426 | $330,000 | 2 | $1,488 |
| 2021 | $2,278,761 | $1,928,668 | $2,863,337 | $297,000 | 3 | $1,411 |
| 2020 | $2,564,900 | $2,515,467 | $3,184,894 | $39,100 | 1 | $1,781 |
*2024: Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).
About California Forward
Based on IRS filings
California Forward is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Sacramento, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $922K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $12K. Net investment income was $4K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
California Forward is led by Kate Gordon, President & CEO - Non-Voting on the 2024 filing; 4 of 20 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kate Gordon
President & CEO - Non-Voting
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$148K (2024)
Annalisa Wurm
Director- Regions
Director - Regions → Director- Regions, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$102K (2023) → $115K (2024)
Sarah Walsh
Director - Communications
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$115K (2024)
Selina Williams
Controller - Finance
Controller → Controller - Finance, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$119K (2022) → $132K (2024)
Ashley Swearengin
Board Member
Board Member → Co-Chair, 2021
Co-Chair → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caroline Whistler
Board Member - Treasurer
Board Member → Board Member - Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Baker
Co-Chair
Board Member → Board Member - Vice Chair, 2021
Board Member - Vice Chair → Co-Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Chiang
Board Member
Co-Chair → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gustavo Herrera
Co-Chair
Board Member → Co-Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Wallace
Board Member - Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Board Member - Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lenny Mendonca
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chet Hewitt
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Connie Perez-Andreesen
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ej Milken
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jordan Cunningham
Board Member - Vice Chair
Board Member → Board Member - Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Decker
Csn Board Member - Non-Voting
Board Member → Csn Board Member - Non-Voting, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Jones
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alysia Bell
Csn Board Member - Non Voting
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bob Gutierrez
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mona Pasqiull Rodgers
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (35)
- Former: Ismael Herrera (2022–2024) — Executive Director - Non-Voting · Filing note: Thru 51924
- Former: Dave Regan (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jacqueline Martinez Garcel (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jennifer Hernandez (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jim Heerwagen (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Kausik Rajgopal (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Micah Weinberg (2020–2023) — President & CEO - Voting
- Former: Pete Peterson (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Sunita Cooke (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Susan Lovenburg (2020–2023) — Secretary - Non Voting
- Former: Lavera Alexander (2021–2023) — Chief Strategy Officer Non-Voting
- Former: Evan Schmidt (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Nick Ortiz (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Patrick Atwater (2022–2023) — Senior Research Analyst
- Former: Amit Thakkar (2023) — Vice President Public Policy
- Former: Araceli Palafox (2023) — Director - Programs
- Former: David Nelson (2023) — Executive Director & Shared With Action Fund
- Former: Lauren Jeglinski (2023) — Secretary - Non Voting
- Former: Bill Shireman (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Dan Whitehurst (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Duf Sundheim (2020–2022) — Board Member - Term
- Former: Van Ton-Quinlivan (2020–2022) — Board Member - Vice Chair
- Former: Heidi Hill Drum (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Kate Roberts (2021–2022) — Board Member - Elected - Term
- Former: Jania Palacios (2022) — Communications Director
- Former: Kish Rajan (2020–2021) — Board Member - Term
- Former: Oscar Chavez (2020–2021) — Board Member - Term
- Former: Peter Weber (2020–2021) — Co-Chair - Term
- Former: Wade Rose (2020–2021) — Board Member - Term
- Former: Fred Silver (2021) — Policy Director
- Former: Ish Herrera (2021) — Director
- Former: Bruce Stenslie (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Fred Silva (2020) — Policy Director
- Former: James Mayer (2020)
- Former: Joe Sanberg (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $184K, to Ismael Herrera Thru 51924 (Executive Director - Non-Voting). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about California Forward
How much does California Forward give each year?
California Forward gave $12K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. The 2024 filing year covers 18 months because its fiscal year-end changed. In 2023 it gave $213K across 1 grant.
How large is California Forward?
California Forward reported $922K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.0M.
What is California Forward?
California Forward is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Sacramento, CA. It holds $922K in total assets as of 2024.
Where does California Forward operate?
California Forward has awarded grants in California.
What is California Forward's EIN?
California Forward's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0566540. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work California Forward funds
Public, Societal Benefit Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in California Forward's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from California Forward's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
California Forward down — hundreds of funders to go?