Education Forward DC
Education Forward DC is a public charity based in Washington, DC, formed in 2016. It supports education leaders and organizations working to improve public schools across both of the District’s public school sectors through grants, hands-on partnerships, and citywide coordination.
Education Forward DC at a glance
In short: Education Forward DC gave $5.9M across 39 grants in 2025 (avg $151K), mostly in District of Columbia. 10% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,894,452
- -30.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 39
- -18.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $151,140
- -14.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $26,876,440
- +77.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (4 of 39, 2025)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (71% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Education Forward DC
- How to Apply
-
The website directs prospective grantees to review its strategy areas and learn about its grantmaking process. It describes grants as rolling and subject to thorough diligence; it does not specify required application materials in the available information.
- Contact
Mailing address: 650 Massachusetts Ave Nw, Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 870-5259
Website: https://edforwarddc.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Education Forward DC
Who Education Forward DC funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Pave Inc ($1.2M). Together the top 10 received $3.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
208 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 75 grants of 208 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Education Forward DC describes its work as focused on DC public schools and education leaders. In 2025, 71% of its grant dollars went to recipients in DC; other listed recipient-state shares were Louisiana (10%), New York (8%), Massachusetts (4%), and Maryland (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 39 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Education Forward DC open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 39 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $66K; repeat grants $161K. How we count
Medians: $33K first-time, $100K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $5.9M (2025) to $10.2M (2023). In 2025 it made 39 grants totaling $5.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pave Inc Washington, DC | General Operations | $1,190,000 |
| DC Charter School Alliance Washington, DC | General Operations | $430,000 |
| DC Policy Center Washington, DC | General Operations | $350,000 |
| Education Reform Now Brooklyn, NY | General Operations | $350,000 |
| Ednavigator New Orleans, LA | General Operations | $325,000 |
| DC International School Washington, DC | General Operations | $260,000 |
| Bellwether Education Partners Inc Sudbury, MA | General Operations | $253,100 |
| Lee Montessori Public Charter School Washington, DC | General Operations | $208,000 |
| Citybridge Education Washington, DC | General Operations | $200,000 |
| Special Education Leader Fellowship New Orleans, LA | General Operations | $200,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Education Forward DC?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $26,876,440 | $21,929,078 | $10,010,181 | $5,894,452 | 39 | $1,051,573 |
| 2024 | $15,185,897 | $10,058,346 | $12,615,203 | $8,509,790 | 48 | $744,003 |
| 2023 | $17,641,749 | $4,967,525 | $14,774,190 | $10,186,767 | 49 | $331,139 |
| 2022 | $28,133,967 | $25,991,844 | $13,348,935 | $8,753,000 | 38 | $58,000 |
| 2021 | $16,282,669 | $11,794,669 | $12,820,122 | $7,435,500 | 34 | $44,100 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Education Forward DC states that it works to ensure every DC student thrives by supporting and advancing high-quality, equitable educational experiences. Its strategy areas include Quality Education, Outstanding Talent, Supportive Ecosystem, and Innovation and Rapid Response. Examples of the work it describes include increasing access to quality school seats, strengthening school leadership and teacher support, improving data and policy conditions, and helping partners respond to uncertainty.
Its filing describes a portfolio that includes schools intended to serve at-risk and special education students, human-capital organizations supporting teachers and leaders, and organizations that help create conditions for schools to open and grow. Grantees’ own missions illustrate the range of this work: DC Charter School Alliance describes itself as a voice for public charter schools and an advocate for policies supporting a strong education system; SchoolTalk says it supports youth with disabilities and their peers to thrive in school and achieve fulfilling postsecondary outcomes; and School Leader Lab says it works with schools to strengthen instructional leadership and develop diverse leadership teams.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Education Forward DC reported 39 grants totaling $5,894,452. Grant amounts ranged from $5,170 to $1,190,000, with a median of $100,000. The largest awards included $1,190,000 to PAVE Inc., $430,000 to DC Charter School Alliance, $350,000 to DC Policy Center, $350,000 to Education Reform Now, and $325,000 to EdNavigator; each was listed for general operations.
The organization says it makes grants on a rolling basis following a diligence process. Its stated criteria include strategic alignment with transforming education in DC, a strong program model, a capable and diverse team, a demonstrated need and role for the work in the local education landscape, and a path to financial sustainability. Its website describes grantmaking as paired with advisory support and says it provides grantees with strategic guidance, connections, and other support. The 2024 filing says grants are conditional on milestones, with disbursements generally made after milestones are completed; it also describes regular reporting and possible board-level monitoring for organizations receiving significant grants.
The New Start Grant is described as supporting leaders opening new schools in DC, including teams with PCSB-approved charter applications serving underserved students. The School Quality and Equity Strategy Grants are described as supporting work related to school-based mental health, special education, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. A School Support Center RFP had a November 1, 2023 deadline; that cycle is past.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Bisi Oyedele as CEO and Josh Edelman as board chair. It also lists Abigail Smith as secretary; Claudia Lujan as treasurer; and Dane Anderson, Ademuyiwa Bamiduro, Kevin Borgmann, Patrick Dobard, Christina Grant, and Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy as directors.
Education Forward DC is led by Bisi Oyedele, CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2021); 10 of 23 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bisi Oyedele
CEO
Managing Partner → CEO, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$213K (2021) → $306K (2025)
Josh Edelman
Board Chair
Treasurer → Director, 2024
Director → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Borgmann
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Dobard
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marisa Parrella
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tiffany Williams
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ademuyiwa Bamiduro
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christina Grant
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dane Anderson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeanie Lee
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nick Rodriguez
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erin Sheehy
Partner
Partner & External Relations → Partner & External Relation, 2024
Partner & External Relation → Partner, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$177K (2021) → $197K (2025)
Fonda Sutton
Partner
Partner & Public Engagement → Partner, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$181K (2021) → $196K (2025)
Margie Yeager
Managing Partner
Partner & Advocacy → Managing Partner, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$161K (2021) → $248K (2025)
Michael Delgado
Senior Manager
Senior Manager & Development → Senior Manager, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$122K (2023) → $129K (2025)
Alaina Smith
Senior Manager
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$125K (2025)
Caitlin Campbell-Hahn
Senior Manager
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$126K (2025)
Erin Garratt
Senior Manager
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$122K (2025)
Matt Nocella
Senior Manager
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$131K (2025)
Rashida Young
Partner
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$187K (2025)
Abigail Smith
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Claudia Lujan
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Kendrick E. Curry (2021–2024) — Chair
- Former: Shivam Mallick Shah (2021–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Vicki Koussoglou (2021–2024) — Chief Operating Officer
- Former: Matthew Nocella (2022–2024) — Senior Manager & Communications
- Former: Thaly Germain (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Ariana Quinones (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Marlon Marshall (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Sean O'Neill (2021–2023) — Chief Strategy Officer
- Former: Shalini Shybut (2021–2023) — Partner & Schools
- Former: Bisi Oyedele Managing Partner (2023)
- Former: Margie Yeager Part Advc (2023) — Manag.partn. · Filing note: Until
- Former: Maura Marino Ceo (2023) — Senior Advisor · Filing note: Until
- Former: Andrew D. Klingenstein (2021–2022) — Treasurer -
- Former: Maura Marino (2021–2022) — Chief Executive Officer
- Former: Naa Ammah-Tagoe (2022) — Senior Manager
- Former: Gabrielle Wyatt (2021) — Director -
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $306K, to Bisi Oyedele (CEO). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Education Forward DC
How much does Education Forward DC give each year?
Education Forward DC gave $5.9M across 39 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $8.5M across 48 grants.
What is Education Forward DC's typical grant size?
Education Forward DC's median grant in 2025 was $100,000, and its average grant was $151,140, across 39 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Education Forward DC that year got $66K on average.
Where does Education Forward DC give grants?
Education Forward DC gives mostly in District of Columbia: 71% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Louisiana (10%) and New York (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (27 grants), New Orleans, LA (3 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Education Forward DC give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Education Forward DC's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (39 of 39) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Education Forward DC's largest grantees?
Education Forward DC's largest 2025 grantees include Pave Inc ($1,190,000), DC Charter School Alliance ($430,000) and DC Policy Center ($350,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Education Forward DC?
Education Forward DC reported $26.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $21.9M.
What does Education Forward DC fund?
Education Forward DC states that it works to ensure every DC student thrives by supporting and advancing high-quality, equitable educational experiences. Its strategy areas include Quality Education, Outstanding Talent, Supportive Ecosystem, and Innovation and Rapid Response. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Education Forward DC?
The website directs prospective grantees to review its strategy areas and learn about its grantmaking process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Education Forward DC's EIN?
Education Forward DC's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-1823628. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 19, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Education Forward DC's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Education Forward DC funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/education-forward-dc-morg_8a7808dde96a4fa599f835c5c43329d3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_811823628_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Education Forward DC funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/education-forward-dc-morg_8a7808dde96a4fa599f835c5c43329d3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Education Forward DC'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.
Education Forward DC down — hundreds of funders to go?