Forward Careers Inc
Forward Careers, inc. (Forward Careers) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with over 30 years of administering and implementing job training programs across southeast Wisconsin. Our mission is to develop a thriving workforce and strong economy by being the preferred source for career exploration, education and skills training, and employment connections to every person and business.
Forward Careers Inc at a glance
In short: Forward Careers Inc gave $193K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $96K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $192,657
- +172.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 2
- -33.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $96,329
- +308.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $96,329
- Total assets
- $1,613,004
- +2.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Forward Careers Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Moraine Park Technical College ($181K). Together the top 2 received $193K.
Grant Size Distribution
7 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 6 grants of 7 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Forward Careers Inc gives
- Giving grew 676% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $25K (2022) to $227K (2020). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $193K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Moraine Park Technical College Fond Du Lac, WI | Subaward for Next Grant | $181,174 |
| University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI | Subaward for Next Grant | $11,483 |
Ready to take the next step with Forward Careers Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,613,004 | $2,321,779 | $2,320,893 | $192,657 | 2 | $15,335 |
| 2024 | $1,569,211 | $2,060,466 | $2,046,695 | $70,828 | 3 | $13,881 |
| 2023 | $1,704,458 | $2,209,735 | $2,154,556 | $48,850 | 1 | $6,210 |
| 2022 | $1,417,810 | $2,346,923 | $2,228,208 | $24,823 | 1 | $448 |
| 2021 | $1,069,063 | $1,854,305 | $1,812,179 | — | — | $1,519 |
| 2020 | $1,149,849 | $2,753,055 | $2,699,213 | $227,217 | 2 | $5,267 |
About Forward Careers Inc
Based on IRS filings
Forward Careers Inc is a public charity focused on Employment, based in Waukesha, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.6M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $193K. Net investment income was $15K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Forward Careers Inc is led by Cindy Simons, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 2 of 7 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cindy Simons
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$93K (2020) → $135K (2025)
Steve Holtan
Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Carman
Director
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rashi Khosla
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tami Martin
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Starrett
Controller, Treasurer & Secretary
Controller, Treasurer & Secretary → Controller, Treasurer & S, 2021
Controller, Treasurer & S → Controller, Treasurer & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$78K (2020) → $92K (2025)
Francisco Sanchez
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Mark Goldstein (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Mary Wehrheim (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Deonna Chambers (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $135K, to Cindy Simons (President & CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Forward Careers Inc
How much does Forward Careers Inc give each year?
Forward Careers Inc gave $193K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $71K across 3 grants.
How large is Forward Careers Inc?
Forward Careers Inc reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.3M.
What is Forward Careers Inc?
Forward Careers Inc is a public charity focused on Employment, based in Waukesha, WI. It holds $1.6M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Forward Careers Inc operate?
Forward Careers Inc has awarded grants in Wisconsin.
What is Forward Careers Inc's EIN?
Forward Careers Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1657328. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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 February 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 21, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 19, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Forward Careers Inc funds
Employment Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Forward Careers Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Newfoundland Club of America
Mount Horeb, WI
To secure donations, to manage and distribute funding in support of research grants to study health issues affecting newfoundlands, to provide necessary monetary aid for newfoundland rescue assistance, and to award educational scholarships to junior newfoundland fanciers.
Assets
$861K
Grants
3
Total Given
$41K
American Ornithological Society
Chicago, IL
See schedule othe American Ornithological Society (AOS) is an international membership organization that connects ornithologists, science, and bird conservation by supporting science that advances the understanding and conservation of birds, promoting broad access to ornithological science, supporting ornithologists throughout their career paths, and fostering a welcoming, diverse, supportive, and dynamic ornithological community.
Assets
$34.7M
Grants
4
Total Given
$57K
Richard M Connor Sr & Florence B Connor Memorial Foundation Inc
Laona, WI
Assets
$585K
Grants
4
Total Given
$43K
Haley Sperling Memorial Foundation
Chicago, IL
Assets
$1.4M
Grants
5
Total Given
$65K
Majerus Family Foundation Inc
Milwaukee, WI
Assets
$433K
Grants
5
Total Given
$38K
More similar funders
More Funders in Wisconsin
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Forward Careers Inc'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.
Forward Careers Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?