G O Forward Charitable Trust
G O Forward Charitable Trust is a private foundation located in Eagan, Minnesota. It supports charitable organizations, including arts and cultural organizations and organizations working on environmental conservation and climate issues.
G O Forward Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: G O Forward Charitable Trust gave $18.6M across 18 grants in 2025 (avg $1.0M), top state District of Columbia. 22% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $18,625,800
- +43.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 18
- +20.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,034,767
- +19.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,044,700
- Total assets
- $302,737,927
- -2.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (4 of 18, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (17% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to G O Forward Charitable Trust
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 2043, Milwaukee, WI 53201-2043
Phone: (651) 466-8206
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who G O Forward Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Ordway Center for Performing Arts ($1.5M). Together the top 10 received $10.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
101 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 28 grants of 101 (28%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the largest reported shares of grant dollars by recipient state were DC and NY, at 17% each, followed by MN and WY, at 14% each, and CA, at 11%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is G O Forward Charitable Trust open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 18 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $875K; repeat grants $1.1M. How we count
Medians: $1M first-time, $1M repeat.
- 72% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 245% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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 $4.2M (2023) to $18.6M (2025). In 2025 it made 18 grants totaling $18.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ordway Center for Performing Arts Saint Paul, MN | General Operating | $1,544,700 |
| Earthjustice San Francisco, CA | General Operating | $1,044,700 |
| Environmental Defense Incorporated New York, NY | General Operating | $1,044,700 |
| Greater Yellowstone Coalition Bozeman, MT | General Operating | $1,044,700 |
| Natural Resources Defense Council New York, NY | General Operating | $1,044,700 |
| Ocean Conservancy Washington, DC | General Operating | $1,044,700 |
| The Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | General Operating | $1,044,700 |
| The Schubert Club Saint Paul, MN | General Operating | $1,044,700 |
| Wilderness Society Washington, DC | General Operating | $1,044,700 |
| World Resources Institute Baltimore, MD | General Operating | $1,044,700 |
Ready to take the next step with G O Forward Charitable Trust?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $302,737,927 | $14,086,970 | $21,584,699 | $18,625,800 | 18 | $18,907,181 | $11,389,959 | $19,247,125 |
| 2024 | $310,210,172 | $266,176,174 | $14,590,126 | $12,955,000 | 15 | $12,977,175 | $6,456,684 | $11,796,910 |
| 2023 | $73,601,409 | $977,041 | $4,837,455 | $4,200,001 | 23 | $4,262,957 | $1,580,080 | $4,178,288 |
| 2022 | $77,461,823 | $4,606,970 | $6,070,211 | $5,400,000 | 23 | $5,461,031 | $4,099,321 | $5,023,280 |
| 2021 | $78,925,064 | $4,772,683 | $5,018,902 | $4,500,000 | 22 | — | $4,311,085 | $4,529,197 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, G O Forward Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $19.2M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for arts and performing arts organizations, as well as environmental and conservation organizations. For example, the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts describes its mission as providing exceptional artistic, educational, and cultural experiences. Earthjustice says it uses law and partnerships to protect health, places, and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. The Greater Yellowstone Coalition says it works to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave 18 grants totaling $18,625,800. Grants ranged from $500,000 to $1,544,700, with a median of $1,044,700. The largest listed grant was $1,544,700 to the Ordway Center for Performing Arts for general operating support. Other listed grants of $1,044,700 included awards to Earthjustice, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Nature Conservancy, the Wilderness Society, and the Wyoming Outdoor Council. Woodwell Climate Research Center also reports receiving $1,044,700 in 2025.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists U.S. Bank NA as corporate trustee.
G O Forward Charitable Trust's only listed officer is US Bank NA, Corporate Trustee since 2024 (on filings since 2021) (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
US Bank NA
Corporate Trustee
Corporarate Trustee → Corporate Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$506K (2021) → $2.7M (2025)
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 $2.7M, to US Bank NA (Corporate Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about G O Forward Charitable Trust
How much does G O Forward Charitable Trust give each year?
G O Forward Charitable Trust gave $18.6M across 18 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $13.0M across 15 grants.
What is G O Forward Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
G O Forward Charitable Trust's median grant in 2025 was $1,044,700, and its average grant was $1,034,767, across 18 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from G O Forward Charitable Trust that year got $875K on average.
Where does G O Forward Charitable Trust give grants?
G O Forward Charitable Trust's top state is District of Columbia, with 17% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (17%) and Minnesota (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (3 grants), New York, NY (3 grants), Saint Paul, MN (2 grants) and Jackson, WY (2 grants).
Does G O Forward Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of G O Forward Charitable Trust's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (18 of 18) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are G O Forward Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
G O Forward Charitable Trust's largest 2025 grantees include Ordway Center for Performing Arts ($1,544,700), Earthjustice ($1,044,700) and Environmental Defense Incorporated ($1,044,700), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is G O Forward Charitable Trust?
G O Forward Charitable Trust reported $302.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $18.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $19.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does G O Forward Charitable Trust fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for arts and performing arts organizations, as well as environmental and conservation organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from G O Forward Charitable Trust?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is G O Forward Charitable Trust's EIN?
G O Forward Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 32-6331860. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does G O Forward Charitable Trust accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 16, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 16, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in G O Forward Charitable Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
Hamill Family Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Hamill Family Foundation’s 2024 grants supported conservation, natural lands, wildlife, and related organizations, mostly in Illinois. Grants ranged from $250 to $10.9 million, with a median of $5,000, though much of the total reflected transfers to successor foundations. It accepted only requests from preselected organizations, not unsolicited applications, and its 2024 filing was marked as a final return.
Assets
—
Grants
132
Total Given
$50.2M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
Community Foundation of Jackson Hole
Jackson, WY
The Community Foundation of Jackson Hole funds local nonprofits addressing community needs, including human services, health, arts, youth, conservation, and public safety, as well as student scholarships. Its Competitive Grants typically offer $3,000–$30,000, and its grant programs focus on Teton County, Wyoming. It accepts unsolicited requests through its grant programs.
Assets
$170.9M
Grants
374
Total Given
$39.6M
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
St. Paul, MN
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation funds community-led work in areas including economic opportunity, health and human services, youth and education, housing, and organizational capacity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,000; listed programs offer up to $50,000 for eligible East Metro work and up to $15,000 for qualifying Minnesota organizations. It accepts applications through specific programs, including rolling application opportunities; the Community Solutions Grant Program serves Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington counties.
Assets
$1.7B
Grants
1,473
Total Given
$107.2M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds work in affordable housing and homelessness, community resilience and power, as well as social services, education, arts and conservation, with a focus on marginalized Marin County residents and some broader U.S. and international grantmaking. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Minnesota
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). G O Forward Charitable Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/g-o-forward-charitable-trust-morg_a801101c488f4e6aaa59faa450491f8b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_326331860_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{G O Forward Charitable Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/g-o-forward-charitable-trust-morg_a801101c488f4e6aaa59faa450491f8b},
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 G O Forward Charitable Trust'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.
G O Forward Charitable Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?