FWDUS Inc logo

FWDUS Inc

501(c)(4) organization Washington, DC EIN: 46-2223015 Website

FWDUS Inc is a public charity based in Washington, DC. Founded in 2013, it is a policy organization focused on advancing policy solutions in immigration and criminal justice. Its stated mission is to organize constituencies around the country to support policy changes that create opportunity and unlock America’s potential through comprehensive immigration reform and criminal justice reform.

FWDUS Inc at a glance

In short: FWDUS Inc gave $559K across 23 grants in 2024 (avg $24K), top state Texas. 57% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2024)
$558,500
-52.1% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
23
-8.0% vs 2023
Average grant
$24,283
-47.9% vs 2023
Median grant
$25,000
Total assets
$55,230,657
-8.0% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
57% first-time grantees (13 of 23, 2024; small sample)
Primary geography
Texas (46% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to FWDUS Inc

Contact

Mailing address: PO Box 34506, Washington, DC 20043
Phone: (415) 589-1222
Website: https://fwd.us

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who FWDUS Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

House Majority Forward: $60KHouse Majority Forward$60KTexas Restaurant Association: $50KTexas Restaurant Association$50KChurch World Service Inc: $40KChurch World Service Inc$40KTexas Nursery & Landscape Association: $40KTexas Nursery & LandscapeAssociation$40KTexas Association of Business: $35KTexas Association of Business$35KNorth Texas Commission: $30KNorth Texas Commission$30KTexas Business Leadership Council: $30KTexas Business LeadershipCouncil$30KCenter for Community Alternatives Inc: $25KCenter for CommunityAlternatives Inc$25KCollective Future: $25KCollective Future$25KDefending Democracy Together Institute: $25KDefending Democracy TogetherInstitute$25K

The largest 2024 recipient was House Majority Forward ($60K). Together the top 10 received $360K.

Grant Size Distribution

178 grants across all recorded years

92<$50K34$50–100K38$100–250K11$250–500K1$500K–1M2$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 92 grants of 178 (52%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

FWDUS Inc says it works with partners in red, blue, and purple jurisdictions. Its 2024 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in multiple states: Texas received 46%, Washington, DC 23%, Maryland 9%, New York 8%, and Indiana 7%.

Grant Distribution by State

22states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.

Cities

WashingtonAustinNew YorkAtlantaBrooklynIrvingHoustonSan FranciscoSyracuseAlbanyAlexandriaBaltimoreChicagoJacksonLos AngelesNew OrleansPhoenixRidgelandSan AntonioSan Juan

Is FWDUS Inc open to new grantees?

57%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 13 of 23 grantees (57%) were first-time recipients. With only 23 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $32K. How we count

Medians: $20K first-time, $30K repeat.

  • 35% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving fell 93% from 2021 to 2024. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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

$0$2M$4M$6M$8M36 grants2020 56 grants2021 38 grants2022 25 grants2023 23 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $559K (2024) to $7.5M (2021). In 2024 it made 23 grants totaling $559K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
House Majority Forward Washington, DCImmigration Education Grant$60,000
Texas Restaurant Association Austin, TXImmigration Advocacy Grant$50,000
Church World Service Inc Elkhart, INImmigration Advocacy Grant$40,000
Texas Nursery & Landscape Association Austin, TXImmigration Advocacy Grant$40,000
Texas Association of Business Austin, TXImmigration Advocacy Grant$35,000
North Texas Commission Irving, TXImmigration Advocacy Grant$30,000
Texas Business Leadership Council Austin, TXImmigration Advocacy Grant$30,000
Center for Community Alternatives Inc Syracuse, NYCriminal Justice Advocacy Grant$25,000
Collective Future Washington, DCCriminal Justice Advocacy Grant$25,000
Defending Democracy Together Institute Washington, DCImmigration Advocacy Grant$25,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

The 2024 grant total covered 23 grants; the 2023 total covered 25, and the 2022 total covered 38.

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2024$55,230,657$12,736,177$17,927,363$558,50023$551,679
2023$60,051,184$37,497,725$15,965,095$1,165,50025$622,131
2022$38,915,493$2,418,786$21,766,267$3,006,75038$133,795
2021$54,494,409$65,150,482$36,502,920$7,495,36056$17,841
2020$26,057,638$24,963,103$25,270,028$6,743,27336$25,981

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

FWDUS Inc’s 2024 filing describes grassroots mobilization connecting hundreds of thousands of Americans through a technology-based campaign supporting immigration reform and criminal justice policy change at the state, federal, and local levels. The program included in-person events, online communications, earned and paid media, coalition-building, and online technology intended to improve communications and mobilization.

The 2024 grants included immigration education and advocacy, as well as criminal justice advocacy. Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations supported: Center for Community Alternatives says it promotes reintegrative justice and reduced reliance on incarceration through advocacy, services, and public policy development; Texas Association of Business describes itself as a state chamber of commerce advocating on public policy issues affecting Texas business; and Church World Service describes its work as responding to hunger, poverty, displacement, and disaster.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2024, FWDUS Inc reported 23 grants totaling $558,500. Grant amounts ranged from $6,500 to $60,000, with a median of $25,000. The largest grants included $60,000 to House Majority Forward for an immigration education grant; $50,000 to Texas Restaurant Association and $40,000 each to Church World Service and Texas Nursery & Landscape Association for immigration advocacy grants; and $25,000 each to Center for Community Alternatives and Collective Future for criminal justice advocacy grants. Other $25,000 grants included immigration advocacy grants to Defending Democracy Together Institute, MomsRising Together, and National Redistricting Action Fund.

No application instructions or information about unsolicited requests are stated in the available materials.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Todd Schulte as president and Zoe Towns as executive director and secretary. Other listed officers and directors are Mark Delich, director of congressional; Christopher Coger, vice president and chief digital officer; Tiffany Lawrence, vice president and chief human resources officer; Rena Karefa-Johnson, vice president of national initiatives; Bina Surgeon, COO and treasurer; Juan Pachon, vice president of communications; and directors Lorella Praeli and David Plouffe.

FWDUS Inc is led by Todd Schulte, President on every filing since 2020; 9 of 12 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Todd Schulte

    President

    On filings since 2020

    32 hrs/week

    $325K (2020) → $300K (2024)

  • Zoe Towns

    Executive Director & Secretary

    Vice President of Criminal Justice Ref → Senior Director of Criminal Justice Ref, 2023

    Senior Director of Criminal Justice Ref → Executive Director & Secretary, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    32 hrs/week

    $207K (2020) → $260K (2024)

  • Mark Delich

    Director of Congressional

    Director of Congressional Affairs → Director of Congressional, 2021

    On filings since 2020

    38 hrs/week

    $225K (2020) → $263K (2024)

  • Lorella Praeli

    Director

    Director → Director -, 2022

    Director - → Director, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    4 hrs/week

    $28K (2021) → $16K (2024)

  • Andrew Pincus

    Director

    Director → Director -, 2022

    Director - → Director, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • David Plouffe

    Director

    Director → Director -, 2022

    Director - → Director, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jordan Fox

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Christopher Coger

    Vice President & Chief Digital Officer

    Head of Technology → Vice President & Chief Digital Officer, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    26 hrs/week

    $133K (2020) → $176K (2024)

  • Bina Surgeon

    COO & Treasurer

    On filings since 2022

    32 hrs/week

    $72K (2022) → $140K (2024)

  • Tiffany Lawrence

    Vice President & Chief Hr Officer

    Vice President Chief Hr Officer → Vice President & Chief Hr Officer, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    26 hrs/week

    $132K (2022) → $161K (2024)

  • Juan Pachon

    Vice President Communications

    New on the 2024 filing

    25 hrs/week

    $145K (2024)

  • Rena Karefa-Johnson

    Vice President & Of National Initiatives

    New on the 2024 filing

    20 hrs/week

    $117K (2024)

Former officers (11)
  • Former: Alida Garcia (2020–2023) — Vice President of Advocacy & Secretary
  • Former: Elissa Johnson (2023) — Vice President Criminal Justice Campaigns
  • Former: Corey Wiggins (2020–2022) — Director -
  • Former: Surin Ramkissoon (2020–2022) — COO & Treasurer
  • Former: Erika Rottenberg (2021–2022) — Director -
  • Former: Emiliano Martinez (2022) — Director -
  • Former: Felicity Rose (2022) — Vice President Criminal Justice Research & Policy
  • Former: Cammie Croft (2020–2021) — Chief Community Officer
  • Former: Felicia Escobar (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Peter Boogaard (2020–2021) — Communications Director
  • Former: Mike Troncoso (2020) — Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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

Todd Schulte — President: $300KTodd SchultePresident$300KMark Delich — Director of Congressional: $263KMark DelichDirector of Congressional$263KZOE Towns — Executive Director & Secretary: $260KZOE TownsExecutive Director & Secretary$260KChristopher Coger — VP, Chief Digital Officer: $176KChristopher CogerVP, Chief Digital Officer$176KTiffany Lawrence — VP, Chief HR Officer: $161KTiffany LawrenceVP, Chief HR Officer$161KJuan Pachon — VP Communications: $145KJuan PachonVP Communications$145KBina Surgeon — COO & Treasurer: $140KBina SurgeonCOO & Treasurer$140KRena Karefa-Johnson — VP, of National Initiatives: $117KRena Karefa-JohnsonVP, of National Initiatives$117KLorella Praeli — Director: $16KLorella PraeliDirector$16K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $300K, to Todd Schulte (President). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about FWDUS Inc

How much does FWDUS Inc give each year?

FWDUS Inc gave $559K across 23 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.2M across 25 grants.

What is FWDUS Inc's typical grant size?

FWDUS Inc's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $24,283, across 23 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from FWDUS Inc that year got $19K on average.

Where does FWDUS Inc give grants?

FWDUS Inc's top state is Texas, with 46% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were District of Columbia (23%) and Maryland (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Austin, TX (5 grants), Washington, DC (4 grants), Baltimore, MD (3 grants) and Atlanta, GA (2 grants).

Does FWDUS Inc give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 23 grants with a stated purpose on FWDUS Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Immigration Advocacy Grant" (17 grants) and "Criminal Justice Advocacy Grant" (5 grants).

Who are FWDUS Inc's largest grantees?

FWDUS Inc's largest 2024 grantees include House Majority Forward ($60,000), Texas Restaurant Association ($50,000) and Church World Service Inc ($40,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is FWDUS Inc?

FWDUS Inc reported $55.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.7M.

What does FWDUS Inc fund?

FWDUS Inc’s 2024 filing describes grassroots mobilization connecting hundreds of thousands of Americans through a technology-based campaign supporting immigration reform and criminal justice policy change at the state, federal, and local levels. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from FWDUS Inc?

FWDUS Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check fwd.us for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is FWDUS Inc's EIN?

FWDUS Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-2223015. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.

Data update history

(6)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

FWDUS Education Fund Inc

Washington, DC

FWDUS Education Fund supports public education, research, policy analysis, and related work on immigration and criminal justice, including immigrants’ rights and incarceration. Its 2024 grants ranged from $6,000 to $294,500, with a median of $25,000; funding went mainly to organizations in DC, California, and New York, with grants also reaching other states. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$18.1M

Grants

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Total Given

$2.7M

Center for Community Change Action

Washington, DC

The Center for Community Change Action funds grassroots organizing, voter engagement, leadership development, and policy and advocacy work focused on low-income people, especially people of color, and economic, racial, and immigrant justice. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $250,000, with a median of $100,000, and supported organizations in several states, including Washington, DC, New York, Oregon, California, and Minnesota. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$16.4M

Grants

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Total Given

$1.6M

Open Society Action Fund Inc

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Open Society Action Fund supports domestic and international policy advocacy and organizations working on democracy, civil and human rights, racial and gender justice, reproductive freedom, economic security, and related issues. In 2024, its grants had a median of $400,000, with awards ranging from about $40,000 to $16.4 million; its work spans U.S. issues and regions worldwide, though most reported grant dollars went to recipients in the District of Columbia and New York. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$13.6M

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Total Given

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Center for Community Change

Washington, DC

Community Change funds community organizing, civic engagement, policy advocacy, leadership development, and related movement-building work, especially with low-income communities and people of color. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $700,000, with a median of $40,000, supporting organizations across the country. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

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NEO Philanthropy Action Fund Inc

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NEO Philanthropy Action Fund supports advocacy and organizing on immigrant justice, civic participation and voter education, and climate change and clean energy. In 2024, its 56 grants ranged from $10,000 to $3.25 million, with a median of $90,000; grants went to organizations in multiple states, led by New York and California. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy

Assets

$11.1M

Grants

56

Total Given

$10.2M

North Fund

Washington, DC

North Fund supports U.S. work in civil rights and advocacy, health equity, education, economic opportunity, voting rights, and technology and innovation. Its 2024 grants ranged from $7,500 to $5.7 million, with a median of $200,000. It evaluates applications, but the profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$50.5M

Grants

70

Total Given

$34.0M

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). FWDUS Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/fwdus-inc-morg_e4071f3d2d984419a1cb572fd170c1d1

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_462223015_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{FWDUS Inc funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/fwdus-inc-morg_e4071f3d2d984419a1cb572fd170c1d1},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 FWDUS 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.

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