Forward Community Investments Inc
We invest in people, projects, and organizations that create lasting impact, addressing community needs in innovative and effective ways. By leveraging a network of partnerships and creative financing, we ensure individuals and neighborhoods across Wisconsin have access to the resources they need to prosper.
Forward Community Investments Inc at a glance
- Total assets
- $34,802,949
- +5.0% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $3,661,266
- +9.0% vs 2023
- Net investment income (2024)
- $280,969
- +24.7% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $3,006,726
- +13.4% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Forward Community Investments Inc
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Forward Community Investments Inc
Community First® Developer Program (delivered through FCI)
Forward Community Investments Inc
Amount
Varies by project (examples: $214,500, $241,000)
Deadline
Deadline not published
New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program - FCI Allocation
Forward Community Investments Inc
Amount
$55 million allocation (2025-2026 round)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Forward Community Investments Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
25 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 24 grants of 25 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
How Forward Community Investments Inc gives
- Giving grew 100% from 2020 to 2023. 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 2019 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $8K (2021) to $785K (2022). In 2023 it made 2 grants totaling $55K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Layton Boulevard West Neighbors Inc Milwaukee, WI | Affordable Housing Lush Home Project | $40,000 |
| Madison Reading Project Inc Madison, WI | New Bus Program Extension | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Forward Community Investments Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $34,802,949 | $3,661,266 | $3,006,726 | — | — | $280,969 |
| 2023 | $33,131,053 | $3,357,666 | $2,652,437 | $55,000 | 2 | $225,378 |
| 2022 | $29,924,868 | $5,155,108 | $2,939,270 | $785,177 | 21 | $120,130 |
| 2021 | $29,361,508 | $3,745,420 | $2,081,525 | $7,500 | 1 | $223,996 |
| 2020 | $27,246,396 | $2,367,453 | $2,220,339 | $27,500 | 1 | $98,538 |
| 2019 | $27,278,627 | $2,941,773 | $2,240,202 | $20,000 | 1 | $111,636 |
About Forward Community Investments Inc
Based on IRS filings
Forward Community Investments Inc is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Madison, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $34.8M in total assets. Net investment income was $281K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Forward Community Investments Inc is led by Ryan Zerwer, President & CEO on every filing since 2021; 6 of 15 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ryan Zerwer
President & CEO
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$62K (2021) → $243K (2024)
Evan Reed
Director of Lending
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$149K (2024)
Jodel Wogou
Director of Finance
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$104K (2024)
Kirby Toon
Director of Capital Strategy
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$136K (2024)
Mike Flynn
Director
Vice Chair → Co-Chair, 2022
Co-Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Laurent
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Fern Orie
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wally Orzechowski
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Beach
Chief Operating Officer
Program Manager → Director of Capital Strategy, 2022
Director of Capital Strategy → Chief Operating Officer, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$108K (2021) → $171K (2024)
Fausto Rivera
Senior Community Lender
Community Lender → Senior Community Lender, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$114K (2022) → $115K (2024)
Pamela Guthman
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Mack Jr.
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jasmine Mercado
Co-Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Co-Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Fehrenbach
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Raynetta Hill
Co-Chair
Director → Co-Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Rebecca Bains (2021–2023) — Director of Finance & Compliance
- Former: Sharron Smith (2023) — Community Lender
- Former: Jaimes Johnson (2019–2022) — Co-Chair
- Former: Tracy Hubbard (2019–2022) — COO & CFO
- Former: Anthony Gray (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Paula Tran Inzeo (2021) — Director
- Former: Alia Stevenson (2019–2020) — Co-Chair & Secretary
- Former: Ananda Mirilli (2019–2020) — Past Chair
- Former: Doug Nelson (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Michele Mackey (2020) — Interim Chief Executive Officer & President
- Former: Joaquin Altoro (2019) — Director
- Former: Mary Wright (2019) — Past Chair
- Former: Rich Arnesen (2019) — Director
- Former: Salli Martyniak (2019) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 $243K, to Ryan Zerwer (President & CEO). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Forward Community Investments Inc
How large is Forward Community Investments Inc?
Forward Community Investments Inc reported $34.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.7M.
What is Forward Community Investments Inc?
Forward Community Investments Inc is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Madison, WI. It holds $34.8M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Forward Community Investments Inc operate?
Forward Community Investments Inc has awarded grants in Wisconsin.
What is Forward Community Investments Inc's EIN?
Forward Community Investments Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1815578. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
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 2019 (received by the IRS August 6, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 15, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Forward Community Investments Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Wisconsin Voices Inc
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin Voices provides technical assistance and resources to build capacity and leadership to 501(c)(3) organizations in support of commonly held values of equal opportunity, freedom, progress, and a government that works for all.
Assets
$2.1M
Grants
9
Total Given
$288K
Wheda Foundation Inc
Madison, WI
WHEDA Foundation funds capital improvements to emergency, transitional, and permanent housing and shelters serving people with special needs across Wisconsin. Its 2026 program offered grants up to $50,000 per project, with no minimum; applications are submitted through an annual competitive process, and the 2026 cycle is closed.
Assets
$2.9M
Grants
60
Total Given
$2.4M
Otto Bremer Trust
St. Paul, MN
The Otto Bremer Trust funds organizations and projects addressing community needs and opportunities, including health care and social services, in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. In 2025, grants ranged from $3,500 to $4.2 million, with a median of $150,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests or direct grant applications; Community Responsive Fund grants are offered through selected intermediaries.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
180
Total Given
$57.2M
The Evjue Foundation Inc
Madison, WI
The Evjue Foundation supports religious, charitable, educational, civic, and cultural organizations, with grants spanning needs such as health, arts, housing, and community services. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,000 to $200,000, with a median of $15,000; nearly all grant funding went to organizations in Wisconsin. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$30.3M
Grants
70
Total Given
$1.5M
Madison Rotary Foundation
Madison, WI
The mission of the Madison Rotary Foundation is to work with the rotary club of madison to support its charitable activities, serve as a responsible steward of its resources, and ensure compliance with all regulations.
Assets
$19.4M
Grants
6
Total Given
$214K
Herbert H Kohl Charities Inc
Milwaukee, WI
Herbert H Kohl Charities funds charitable organizations, with its affiliated philanthropy emphasizing education, civic engagement, and community initiatives in Milwaukee and Wisconsin; most 2025 grant dollars went to Wisconsin recipients. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $2 million, with a median of $5,000, and Homegrown Grants offer up to $5,000. It makes contributions only to preselected charities and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.6M
Grants
258
Total Given
$14.2M
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 Community Investments 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 Community Investments Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?