Health Forward Foundation
Health Forward Foundation is a public charity based in an individual recipient, Missouri, formed in 2003. It supports efforts to achieve health equity and a fair and just region through leadership, advocacy, and resources, with work organized around People, Power, Place, and Platform.
Health Forward Foundation at a glance
In short: Health Forward Foundation gave $26.4M across 169 grants in 2024 (avg $156K), mostly in Missouri. 20% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $26,403,576
- -11.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 169
- -24.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $156,234
- +16.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $944,651,494
- +4.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (28 of 140, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Missouri (71% 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 Health Forward Foundation
- Invitation Only
-
Review open funding opportunities and their criteria; some opportunities are invitation-based. Organizations may also discuss work or ideas that align with the foundation’s purpose areas for possible responsive funding.
- Review Cycle
- The 2025 invitation-based affordable housing and homeownership opportunity had a deadline of noon on April 9, 2025, which has passed. It budgeted $1.6 million for distribution over 12 to 24 months, with anticipated awards generally unrestricted, though some could be restricted.
- Deadline
- The 2025 invitation-based affordable housing and homeownership opportunity had a deadline of noon on April 9, 2025,…
- Contact
Mailing address: 2300 Main Street 304, Kansas City, MO 64108
Phone: (816) 241-7006
Website: https://healthforward.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Health Forward Foundation
Who Health Forward Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Community Health Council of Wyandotte County ($840K across 4 grants). Together the top 10 received $7.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,213 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 452 grants of 1,213 (37%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation prioritizes organizations located within and maintaining ongoing operations in its six-county service area: An individual recipient, Jackson, Cass, and Lafayette counties in Missouri, and Allen, Johnson, and Wyandotte counties in Kansas. It also considers organizations outside the service area if their work benefits communities of focus within it. In 2024, 71% of grant dollars went to recipients in Missouri and 28% to recipients in Kansas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 169 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Health Forward Foundation open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 28 of 140 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $94K; repeat grants $212K. How we count
Medians: $63K first-time, $150K repeat.
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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $16.6M (2021) to $30.0M (2023). In 2024 it made 169 grants totaling $26.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Care Health Center (KC Care) Kansas City, MO | 2024 People Funding | $800,000 |
| Swope Health Services Kansas City, MO | People Funding - 2024 | $800,000 |
| Truman Medical Center (DBA University Health) Charitable Foundation Kansas City, MO | 2024 People Funding | $750,000 |
| Turner House Clinic Inc DBA Vibrant Health Kansas City, KS | Vibrant Health: Community Anchor & Trusted Connector | $750,000 |
| Credit & Homeownership Empowerment Services Inc Kansas City, MO | Homeready: Turning Visions into Keys | $650,000 |
| El Centro Inc Kansas City, KS | Latino Community Health | $600,000 |
| Samuel U Rodgers Health Center Kansas City, MO | Uninsured Patient Care (Indigent Care) Support. | $600,000 |
| Community Health Council of Wyandotte County Kansas City, KS | People Funding 2024-26 | $550,000 |
| Kansas City Medical Society Foundation Merriam, KS | Project Access - Specialty Care for the Uninsured | $550,000 |
| Health Partnership of Johnson County Olathe, KS | 2024 - people funding/care for the uninsured and underinsured of Johnson county, Kansas | $510,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Health Forward Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $944,651,494 | $45,105,484 | $51,303,039 | $26,403,576 | 169 | $43,630,124 |
| 2023 | $905,273,400 | $20,187,873 | $50,327,425 | $29,976,977 | 223 | $20,182,873 |
| 2022 | $837,930,529 | $180,098,421 | $43,715,710 | $28,503,266 | 314 | $165,096,955 |
| 2021 | $962,196,550 | $44,980,077 | $30,398,674 | $16,606,663 | 256 | $44,980,077 |
| 2020 | $855,422,735 | $35,289,913 | $35,779,287 | $22,647,540 | 251 | $35,289,888 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to achieve health equity and secure a fair and just region through leadership, advocacy, and resources. Its purpose areas are People, which seeks to center equity and remove barriers in the health-care system; Power, which focuses on civic engagement, community-driven movements, and community-based nonprofits; Place, which focuses on housing and digital access; and Platform, which addresses racial equity and economic inclusion in systems, policies, and stories.
Examples of grantees’ work include accessible and comprehensive patient care, care for uninsured and underserved families, and health and wellness services. Swope Health Services describes its mission as improving community health and wellness through accessible, quality, comprehensive patient care. KC CARE Health Center says it promotes health and wellness through care, access, research, and education for underserved people and the broader community. Turner House Clinic says it provides quality health care to uninsured and underserved families in the an individual recipient metropolitan area. Other 2024 recipients included organizations whose stated missions address affordable health care, Latino community health, and housing and homeownership.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 169 grants totaling $26,403,576. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $800,000, with a median of $100,000.
Among the largest reported 2024 grants were $800,000 each to an individual recipient CARE Health Center and Swope Health Services; $750,000 to Truman Medical Center Charitable Foundation, doing business as University Health, and $750,000 to Turner House Clinic, doing business as Vibrant Health; and $650,000 to Credit & Homeownership Empowerment Services. Other notable awards included $600,000 each to El Centro and Samuel U Rodgers Health Center, and $550,000 each to the Community Health Council of Wyandotte County and an individual recipient Medical Society Foundation.
The foundation describes open opportunities as calls for applications with specified criteria. Some opportunities are invitation-based, intended to support organizations whose work is vital to the intended impact and to reduce application burden. It also welcomes conversations about ideas aligned with its purpose areas, with responsive funds subject to availability and priorities.
Before applying, organizations generally need qualifying tax-exempt status, an EIN, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and compliance with IRS annual filing requirements. Organizations that are not 501(c)(3)s are required to use a fiscal sponsor; the foundation also occasionally partners with government entities. The foundation says it does not fund individuals, biomedical research or laboratory studies, certain construction or real-property costs, or political campaigns supporting or opposing candidates. It requires funded organizations to follow its nondiscrimination expectations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Lynette Wheeler as chair, Dred Scott as vice-chair, Kent Hawkins as treasurer, and Irene Caudillo as secretary. It also lists Erica Brice, Stacey Daniels-Young, Tim Duncan, Ed Ellerbeck, Ned Holland, and Naiomi Jamal as board members.
Health Forward Foundation is led by Qiana Thomason, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 10 of 29 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Qiana Thomason
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$357K (2020) → $545K (2024)
Lynette Wheeler
Chair
Board Member → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Sykes
Director of Communications & Narrative
Director of Communications → Director of Communications & Narrative Change, 2023
Director of Communications & Narrative Change → Director of Communications & Narrative, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$129K (2020) → $155K (2024)
Angelique Williams
Director of Org. Learning & Culture
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$148K (2023) → $153K (2024)
Hayat Abdullahi
Director of Community Impact
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$140K (2023) → $156K (2024)
Teresa Toal
Director of Talent & Administrator
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$162K (2024)
Brenda Calvin
Chief Operations Officer
Culture & Inclusion Officer → Chief of Staff, 2022
Chief of Staff → Chief Operations Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$109K (2020) → $220K (2024)
Christie Zarkovich
Cafio & Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$43K (2021) → $433K (2024)
McClain Bryant Macklin
Vice President of Policy, Impact & Assistant Secretary
Director of Policy & Strategic Initiatives → Vice President of Policy, Impact & Assistant Secry, 2023
Vice President of Policy, Impact & Assistant Secry → Vice President of Policy, Impact & Assistant Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$155K (2021) → $249K (2024)
Eusebio Diaz
Vice President Slc & Assistant Secretary
Vice President Strategy & Learning → Vice President Strategy Learning, Communications & Assistant Secry, 2023
Vice President Strategy Learning, Communications & Assistant Secry → Vice President Slc & Assistant Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$92K (2022) → $225K (2024)
Jennifer Tidwell
Impact Strategist
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$145K (2024)
Ed Ellerbeck
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Irene Caudillo
Secretary
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Pryde
Board Member
Vice Chair → Chair, 2021
Chair → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kent Hawkins
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ned Holland
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stacey Daniels-Young
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Duncan
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Awais Sufi
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dred Scott
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Geoff Jolley
Board Member
Board Member → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nikki Newton
Board Member
Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Terry Trafton
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisse Regehr
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Naiomi Jamal
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Siobhan McLaughlin Lesley
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Perdomo-Morales
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erica Brice
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kia Walsh
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (20)
- Former: Jane Mosley (2020–2023) — Director of Impact Learning & Research
- Former: Andres Dominguez (2020–2022) — Impact Strategist
- Former: Graciela Couchonnal (2020–2022) — Vice President Strategy & Eval
- Former: Kimberly R. Riley (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Stephenie Smith (2020–2022) — Chair
- Former: Tonia Wright (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Angie Williams (2021–2022) — Director of Committee Investment
- Former: Christena Diven (2021–2022) — Director of Accounting
- Former: Adriana Pecina (2020–2021) — Senior Program Officer
- Former: Chuck Foudree (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jim Dockins (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Lydia Kaume (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Pat Contreras (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Richard Wright (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Richard Zimmer (2020–2021) — CFO & Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Donnie Wilson (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Marshaun Butler (2020) — Chair
- Former: Michael O'Dell (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Peg Vanwagoner (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Roy L. Robinson (2020) — Board Member
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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $545K, to Qiana Thomason (President/CEO). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Health Forward Foundation
How much does Health Forward Foundation give each year?
Health Forward Foundation gave $26.4M across 169 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $30.0M across 223 grants.
What is Health Forward Foundation's typical grant size?
Health Forward Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $100,000, and its average grant was $156,234, across 169 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Health Forward Foundation that year got $94K on average.
Where does Health Forward Foundation give grants?
Health Forward Foundation gives mostly in Missouri: 71% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Kansas (28%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kansas City, MO (89 grants), Kansas City, KS (26 grants), St. Louis, MO (11 grants) and Overland Park, KS (5 grants).
Does Health Forward Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 4% of Health Forward Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 169) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "2024 People Funding" (16 grants).
Who are Health Forward Foundation's largest grantees?
Health Forward Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Community Health Council of Wyandotte County ($840,000 across 4 grants), Kansas City Care Health Center (KC Care) ($800,000) and Swope Health Services ($800,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 9% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Health Forward Foundation?
Health Forward Foundation reported $944.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $45.1M.
What does Health Forward Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to achieve health equity and secure a fair and just region through leadership, advocacy, and resources. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Health Forward Foundation?
Review open funding opportunities and their criteria; some opportunities are invitation-based. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
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
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Health Forward Foundation funds
Health Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Health Forward Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Health Forward Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/health-forward-foundation-morg_91725edf14df4d55b5971810e0ce8c55
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_200167282_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Health Forward Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/health-forward-foundation-morg_91725edf14df4d55b5971810e0ce8c55},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Health Forward Foundation'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.
Health Forward Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?