Forward Denver

501(c)(4) organization Denver, CO EIN: 88-2391613

Forward Denver seeks a stronger, safer, denver with a thriving economy for every resident through support of denver's civic institutions, development of common-sense approaches to problems facing denver as well as issue education and advocacy related to denver's economy, public safety, and communities.

Forward Denver at a glance

In short: Forward Denver gave $420K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $84K), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2025)
$419,661
+133.1% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
5
+400.0% vs 2024
Average grant
$83,932
-53.4% vs 2024
Median grant
$62,000
Total assets
$21,496
-73.0% vs 2024
Primary geography
Colorado (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 Denver funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 5 recipients in 2025

Hands Off My Hat Denver: $150KHands Off My Hat Denver$150KFighting for a Stronger CO: $138KFighting for a Stronger CO$138KServicios Sigue Action Fund: $62KServicios Sigue Action Fund$62KStop the Ban Protect Jobs: $50KStop the Ban Protect Jobs$50KBuilding a Safe & Prosperous: $20KBuilding a Safe & Prosperous$20K

The largest 2025 recipient was Hands Off My Hat Denver ($150K). Together the top 5 received $420K.

Grant Size Distribution

10 grants across all recorded years

1<$50K2$50–100K6$100–250K1$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 6 grants of 10 (60%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.

States

Cities

DenverAuroraCo SpringsLafayette

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$250K$500K$750K$1M4 grants2023 1 grant2024 5 grants2025

From 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $180K (2024) to $915K (2023). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $420K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Hands Off My Hat Denver Denver, COIssue Committee Contribution$150,000
Fighting for a Stronger CO Denver, COIe Contribution$137,661
Servicios Sigue Action Fund Denver, COGeneral Operating Grant$62,000
Stop the Ban Protect Jobs Denver, COIssue Committee Contribution$50,000
Building a Safe & Prosperous Lafayette, COGeneral Operations$20,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Forward Denver?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrants
2025$21,496$439,500$497,543$419,6615
2024$79,539$353,969$384,319$180,0001
2023$109,889$2,085,952$1,976,063$915,0004

About Forward Denver

Based on IRS filings

Forward Denver is a public charity, based in Denver, CO. IRS filing data is available from 2023 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $21K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $420K.

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Forward Denver is led by Rachel Gordon, President, Secretary & Treasurer since 2024 (on filings since 2023) — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Rachel Gordon

    President, Secretary & Treasurer

    Treasurer → President, Secretary & Treasurer, 2024

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (1)
  • Former: Elizabeth Scully (2023) — President

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Frequently asked questions about Forward Denver

How much does Forward Denver give each year?

Forward Denver gave $420K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $180K across 1 grant.

What is Forward Denver's typical grant size?

Forward Denver's median grant in 2025 was $62,000, and its average grant was $83,932, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Where does Forward Denver give grants?

Forward Denver gives mostly in Colorado: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (4 grants).

Does Forward Denver give general operating support?

Yes: 40% of Forward Denver's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Who are Forward Denver's largest grantees?

Forward Denver's largest 2025 grantees include Hands Off My Hat Denver ($150,000), Fighting for a Stronger CO ($137,661) and Servicios Sigue Action Fund ($62,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 83% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Forward Denver?

Forward Denver reported $21K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $440K.

What is Forward Denver's EIN?

Forward Denver's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-2391613. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

Data update history

(3)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 13, 2024)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 10, 2025)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 20, 2026)

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Forward Denver's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Gopac Education Fund Inc

Arlington, VA

The Gopac Education Fund promotes conservative ideas and policies for state and local governments that lower taxes, limit the size of government, and set the right business environment for job creation so individuals can pursue their dreams and live in freedom.

Assets

$553K

Grants

6

Total Given

$1.1M

Protect Our Kids Inc

Highlands Ranch, CO

The mission of Protect Our Kids, inc. (POK) is to promote sound drug policies that protect children and their families. POK will educate the public regarding issues including the harms of drugs to children and their families, the harms caused by retail drug sales, and the impact of harmful drug policies on neighborhoods and schools. POK will serve as an informational resource for the general public and support public policies consistent with its mission.

Mental Health & Crisis Intervention

Assets

$715K

Grants

3

Total Given

$89K

Center for American Ideas

McLean, VA

The Center for American Ideas (CFAI) is dedicated to the promotion of policy solutions that advance economic opportunities for American innovators and entrepreneurs. Our purpose is to identify and educate both elected officials and citizens about ideas that advance and enhance prosperity through personal empowerment and limited government.

Public, Societal Benefit

Assets

$133K

Grants

1

Total Given

$6.1M

Unite for Colorado

Denver, CO

To promote the common good and general welfare of americans by promoting public policy that strengthens the economy, promotes job growth, and supports fair and reasonable business regulations.

Assets

$234K

Grants

5

Total Given

$5.3M

Advance Colorado

Englewood, CO

Advance Colorado is a charitable non-profit organization that serves a public education mission. Advance Colorado educates citizens on principles to enhance and strengthen active citizenship in a democracy. Specific public education issues include: government fiscal responsibility; government transparency and accountability; limited government; free enterprise; lower taxes, strong public safety, and an accountable education system. Advance Colorado makes public education materials available to the general public.

Assets

$1.7M

Grants

5

Total Given

$2.4M

Ready Colorado

Littleton, CO

Ready Colorado supports efforts to improve education in Colorado, particularly school choice, accountability, and education reform. In 2024, it made 9 grants ranging from $7,500 to $410,000, with a median of $75,000; all reported grants went to Colorado organizations. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$141K

Grants

9

Total Given

$1.2M

More similar funders

More Funders in Colorado

The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open

Figures come from Forward Denver'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 Denver down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?