Health Forward Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Kansas City, Missouri, established in 2003. Operating as a supporting organization of Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, the foundation is dedicated to supporting work that builds health and wealth for all communities. The organization employs 35 staff members and maintains an active grantmaking program focused on achieving health equity and advancing community well-being.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$944.7M
+4.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$26.4M
-11.9% YoY
Grant Count
169
-24.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$156K
+16.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Health Forward Foundation's mission is to achieve health equity and secure a fair and just region through leadership, advocacy, and resources.
Core Values: Trust, partnership, learning, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and stewardship.
Strategic Purpose Areas: People, Power, Place, and Platform
Primary Funding Focus: The foundation's grant-making emphasizes education, philanthropy, voluntarism, grantmaking, and human services. Dental health is among the identified funding focus areas.
Grantmaking
Organizations must meet the following criteria to apply:
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $5,300 to $800,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Health Forward Foundation prioritizes organizations located within and maintaining ongoing operations in its six-county service area:
- Missouri: Kansas City, Jackson, Cass, and Lafayette counties
- Kansas: Allen, Johnson, and Wyandotte counties
The foundation will consider organizations located outside this service area whose work benefits communities of focus living within the service area. The foundation also funds work in the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $944,651,494 (as of 2024)
Total Annual Giving: $27,846,208
Revenue: $45.1 million (2024)
Expenses: $51.3 million (2024)
Total Liabilities: $15.6 million (2024)
Investments: $348.7 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $944,651,494 | $905,273,400 | $837,930,529 |
| Revenue | $45,105,484 | $20,187,873 | $180,098,421 |
| Expenses | $51,303,039 | $50,327,425 | $43,715,710 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $43,630,124 | $20,182,873 | $165,096,955 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Health Forward Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Credit & Homeownership Empowerment Services Inc ($650,000), El Centro Inc ($600,000), Community Health Council of Wyandotte County ($550,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 100 BLACK MEN OF GREATER KANSAS CITY KANSAS CITY, MO | 100 BLACK MEN OF GREATER KC 2025 PROGRAMS | $50,000 |
| ACLU FOUNDATION OF KANSAS OVERLAND PARK, KS | IMPROVING VOTER ACCESS THROUGH RESTORE MY VOTE AND ELECTION PROTECTION | $50,000 |
| ACTION ST LOUIS INC ST LOUIS, MO | REGISTER314 | $100,000 |
| AD HOC GROUP AGAINST CRIME KANSAS CITY, MO | HEALING GENERATIONAL TRAUMA | $350,000 |
| ADVOCATES FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RECONCILIATION KANSAS CITY, KS | KANSAS VOTER ENGAGEMENT 2024 | $20,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR A HEALTHY KANSAS TOPEKA, KS | MEDICAID EXPANSION EDUCATION, ORGANIZING AND COALITION SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| ALTRUISM MEDIA INC KANSAS CITY, MO | THE MAIH CENTER - RURAL MATERNAL HEALTH PROGRAM | $170,000 |
| ARCHCITY DEFENDERS INC ST LOUIS, MO | FREEDOM SUMMER | $10,000 |
| ARGENTINE BETTERMENT CORPORATION KANSAS CITY, KS | EMPOWERING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN ARGENTINE: A COMMUNITY-LED VOTER OUTREACH INITIATIVE | $15,000 |
| BE GREAT TOGETHER KANSAS CITY, MO | NARRATIVE FEST | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key Executives:
- Jim Casselberry, Chief Investment Officer (joined October 2025)
- Brenda Calvin, Chief Operations Officer
- Rick Zimmer, CFO
- Anthony C Lloyd, Chief Financial Officer
- Hayat Abdullahi, Director, Community Impact
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LYNETTE WHEELER | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| DRED SCOTT | VICE-CHAIR | 1 | — |
| KENT HAWKINS | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| IRENE CAUDILLO | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| ERICA BRICE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| STACEY DANIELS-YOUNG | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TIM DUNCAN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ED ELLERBECK | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| NED HOLLAND | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| NAIOMI JAMAL | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| GEOFF JOLLEY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SIOBHAN MCLAUGHLIN LESLEY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| NIKKI NEWTON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ANDREA PERDOMO-MORALES | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JIM PRYDE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LISSE REGEHR | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| AWAIS SUFI | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TERRY TRAFTON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KIA WALSH | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| QIANA THOMASON | PRESIDENT/CEO | 40 | $545,477 |
| CHRISTIE ZARKOVICH | CAFIO/ASST TREASURER | 40 | $432,670 |
| MCCLAIN BRYANT MACKLIN | VP OF POLICY & IMPACT/ASST SECRETARY | 40 | $249,303 |
| EUSEBIO DIAZ | VP SLC & ASST SECRETARY | 40 | $225,273 |
| BRENDA CALVIN | CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER | 40 | $220,025 |
| JENNIFER SYKES | DIR. OF COMMUNICATIONS & NARRATIVE | 40 | $154,717 |
| TERESA TOAL | DIRECTOR OF TALENT & ADMIN | 40 | $162,000 |
| ANGELIQUE WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR OF ORG. LEARNING & CULTURE | 40 | $153,217 |
| HAYAT ABDULLAHI | DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY IMPACT | 40 | $156,110 |
| JENNIFER TIDWELL | IMPACT STRATEGIST | 40 | $145,452 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Health Forward Foundation has demonstrated active grantmaking in recent periods:
Health Forward gifts $515,000 to provide greater economic opportunities throughAwarded $5.4 million in a final round of mental health grants to support mental health initiatives in the region
Health Forward gifts $515,000 to provide greater economic opportunities throughDistributed $7.5 million in grants to 140 area nonprofits
Health Forward awards $5.4 million in final round of Mental Health GrantsProvided $515,000 in funding to increase broadband access and economic opportunities in the Kansas City region, recognizing digital connectivity as essential to health and economic advancement
Health Forward gifts $515,000 to provide greater economic opportunities throughThe foundation maintains one active grant opportunity for event sponsorship.
Health Forward Foundation awards $7.5M in grants to 140 area nonprofitsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Health Forward Foundation fund?
**Mission:** Health Forward Foundation's mission is to achieve health equity and secure a fair and just region through leadership, advocacy, and resources. **Core Values:** Trust, partnership, learning, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and stewardship. **Strategic Purpose Areas:** People, Power, Place, and Platform **Primary Funding Focus:** The foundation's grant-making emphasizes education, philanthropy, voluntarism, grantmaking, and human services. Dental health is among the identified fundin…
How do I apply for a grant from Health Forward Foundation?
**Grant Ranges:** Typical awards range from $5,300 to $800,000. **Funding Approaches:** Health Forward Foundation employs three distinct funding strategies: • **Open Funding:** Throughout the year, the foundation releases calls for applications with specific funding criteria designed to achieve outcomes within its purpose areas. • **Invitation-Based Funding:** Some opportunities are by invitation only. The foundation uses this approach to address historical racial bias in philanthropy and to re…
Where does Health Forward Foundation make grants?
Health Forward Foundation prioritizes organizations located within and maintaining ongoing operations in its six-county service area: • **Missouri:** Kansas City, Jackson, Cass, and Lafayette counties • **Kansas:** Allen, Johnson, and Wyandotte counties The foundation will consider organizations located outside this service area whose work benefits communities of focus living within the service area. The foundation also funds work in the District of Columbia.
What size grants does Health Forward Foundation award?
In 2024, Health Forward Foundation awarded 169 grants totaling $26.4M — an average of about $156K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Health Forward Foundation's EIN?
Health Forward Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-0167282. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Health Forward Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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