Education Forward DC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, dedicated to supporting the transformation of public schools across the city. Founded in 2016, the organization works to ensure that every DC student has access to high-quality, equitable educational experiences. The organization combines strategic grantmaking, technical assistance to grantees, and citywide coordination to accelerate improvements in the DC education system.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$26.9M
+77.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.9M
-30.7% YoY
Grant Count
39
-18.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$151K
-14.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Education Forward DC works to make sure every DC student thrives by supporting and advancing high-quality and equitable educational experiences that ensure every student excels.
Vision: A DC where students starting furthest from opportunity can chart their own path and thrive.
The organization focuses on three strategic investment areas:
Schools and Talent — Supporting a portfolio of schools designed to serve at-risk and special education students well, and funding human capital organizations to ensure schools have great teachers and leaders.
Advocacy and Public Engagement — Advocating for policies that sustain the city's progress and ensure schools reflect the diversity of student needs.
Systemic Conditions — Supporting organizations creating and sustaining the conditions under which great schools can open and grow.
The organization places particular emphasis on serving students furthest from opportunity, particularly Black and Latinx students who face systemic racism in current education structures and practices.
Grantmaking
Average Grant
amount: $5,170–$1,265,000
How to Apply
** Education Forward DC makes grants on a rolling basis using a thorough diligence process. Interested organizations can contact the team through their website or reach out directly to discuss initiatives aligned with their funding strategy.
Ready to take the next step with Education Forward Dc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Education Forward DC focuses its grantmaking primarily in the District of Columbia, with some activity in New York and Louisiana.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending June 2025:
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $21,929,078 |
| Total Expenses | $10,010,181 |
| Net Income | $11,918,897 |
| Total Assets | $26,876,440 |
| Total Liabilities | $622,000 |
| Number of Employees | 16 |
Rating: Education Forward DC holds a Four-Star rating with a 97% score based on accountability and finance metrics.
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since July 2016; EIN: 81-1823628
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $26,876,440 | $15,185,897 | $17,641,749 |
| Revenue | $21,929,078 | $10,058,346 | $4,967,525 |
| Expenses | $10,010,181 | $12,615,203 | $14,774,190 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,051,573 | $744,003 | $331,139 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
208 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Education Forward Dc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Abidemi B. Oyedele — Principal Officer/CEO. Oyedele delivered testimony to the DC Council's Committee of the Whole on March 4, 2026, regarding OSSE performance oversight.
Erin Sheehy — Partner for External Relations
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BISI OYEDELE | CEO | 40 | $306,001 |
| JOSH EDELMAN | BOARD CHAIR | 1 | — |
| ABIGAIL SMITH | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| CLAUDIA LUJAN | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| DANE ANDERSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ADEMUYIWA BAMIDURO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KEVIN BORGMANN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PATRICK DOBARD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRISTINA GRANT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHERYL HOLCOMB-MCCOY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEANIE LEE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARISA PARRELLA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NICK RODRIGUEZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TIFFANY WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARGIE YEAGER | MANAGING PARTNER | 40 | $248,085 |
| ERIN SHEEHY | PARTNER | 40 | $196,625 |
| RASHIDA YOUNG | PARTNER | 40 | $186,765 |
| FONDA SUTTON | PARTNER | 40 | $196,442 |
| MICHAEL DELGADO | SENIOR MANAGER | 40 | $129,302 |
| MATT NOCELLA | SENIOR MANAGER | 40 | $131,435 |
| ALAINA SMITH | SENIOR MANAGER | 40 | $125,311 |
| ERIN GARRATT | SENIOR MANAGER | 40 | $122,231 |
| CAITLIN CAMPBELL-HAHN | SENIOR MANAGER | 40 | $126,239 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Since its founding in 2016, Education Forward DC has invested over $40 million of philanthropic capital across more than 80 unique grantees over a five-year period to build greater equity within the DC education ecosystem.
Education Forward DC: HomeThe organization has contributed to meaningful improvements in the DC education landscape, including increases in resources, improvements in academic achievement, and additional quality options for students. However, the organization notes that not every student has benefited equitably—only about one-third of DC public school students meet the measure designated as an indicator for college and career readiness, with significant gaps for students starting furthest from opportunity.
Turning data into action to support student well-being - Education ForwardEducation Forward DC continues to work toward its goal of investing more than $100 million in educational opportunities for DC students over a five-year period.
Education Forward DC: HomeSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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