Heartland Forward Inc
A think and do tank dedicated to being a resource for states and communities - helping to advance the economic opportunity in the heartland.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.4M
-10.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$710K
+102.3% YoY
Grant Count
15
+150.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$47K
-19.1% YoY
About Heartland Forward Inc
Based on IRS filings
Heartland Forward Inc is a nonprofit organization focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in BENTONVILLE, AR. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $6.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 15 grants totaling $710K. Net investment income was $16K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,426,256 | $7,184,313 | $2,791,171 |
| Revenue | $11,882,702 | $15,261,912 | $10,819,582 |
| Expenses | $12,640,759 | $10,868,770 | $11,129,013 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $15,500 | $837 | $30 |
| 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
26 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Heartland Action Inc ($300,000), American Library Association ($60,000), Benton Institute for Broadband and Society ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Girl Revolution LLC Detroit, MI | To provide funding to businesses operating in economically depressed and/or blighted underserved areas in order to combat community deterioration, address unemployment and underemployment and ensure the sustainability of economic development in particular communities. | $25,000 |
| Abily LLC Fayetteville, AR | To provide funding to businesses operating in economically depressed and/or blighted underserved areas in order to combat community deterioration, address unemployment and underemployment and ensure the sustainability of economic development in particular communities. | $25,000 |
| American Library Association Chicago, IL | To further the acceleration of digital learning, skills and training for the benefit of the general public, in a manner as each party hereto may reasonably determine in good faith, and shall collaborate on the design, enhancement, announcement and promotion of the DigitalLearn.org educational web site. | $60,000 |
| Benton Institute for Broadband and Society Wilmette, IL | To increase Oklahoma community leaders' ability to stimulate broadband infrastructure investment that supports economic development, telehealth delivery, distance learning, and civic engagement. | $50,000 |
| Domes by Joshua LLC Coweta, OK | To provide funding to businesses operating in economically depressed and/or blighted underserved areas in order to combat community deterioration, address unemployment and underemployment and ensure the sustainability of economic development in particular communities. | $25,000 |
| Film Delta LLC Clarksdale, MS | To provide funding to businesses operating in economically depressed and/or blighted underserved areas in order to combat community deterioration, address unemployment and underemployment and ensure the sustainability of economic development in particular communities. | $25,000 |
| Gnargo Bike LLC Bentonville, AR | To provide funding to businesses operating in economically depressed and/or blighted underserved areas in order to combat community deterioration, address unemployment and underemployment and ensure the sustainability of economic development in particular communities. | $25,000 |
| Heartland Action Inc Bentonville, AR | To support the Heartland Health Caucus. | $300,000 |
| Heiss Mug LLC Birmingham, AL | To provide funding to businesses operating in economically depressed and/or blighted underserved areas in order to combat community deterioration, address unemployment and underemployment and ensure the sustainability of economic development in particular communities. | $25,000 |
| Nehisi Ventures LLC Tulsa, OK | To provide funding to businesses operating in economically depressed and/or blighted underserved areas in order to combat community deterioration, address unemployment and underemployment and ensure the sustainability of economic development in particular communities. | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUDDY D PHILPOT | DIRECTOR, SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| Michael Malone | BOARD DIRECTOR, TREASURER | 2 | — |
| ROSS DeVOL | BOARD DIRECTOR, PRESIDENT | 40 | — |
| OLIVIA WALTON | BOARD DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ANGIE COOPER | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER | 35 | — |
| BLAKE WOOLSEY | CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT | 40 | — |
| DAVE SHIDELER | CHIEF RESEARCH OFFICER | 40 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Heartland Forward Inc?
Heartland Forward Inc is a nonprofit organization focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in BENTONVILLE, AR. It holds $6.4M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Heartland Forward Inc?
As of 2024, Heartland Forward Inc holds $6.4M in total assets with $11.9M in annual revenue. It awarded 15 grants totaling $710K in 2024.
Where does Heartland Forward Inc operate?
Heartland Forward Inc has awarded grants in Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee.
What size grants does Heartland Forward Inc award?
In 2024, Heartland Forward Inc awarded 15 grants totaling $710K — an average of about $47K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Heartland Forward Inc's EIN?
Heartland Forward Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-2515642. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Heartland Forward Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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