Heartland Forward Inc
Heartland Forward Inc is a public charity based in Bentonville, Arkansas. It describes itself as a nonpartisan “think-and-do tank” that uses research, community programs, policy work and convenings to advance economic growth in the heartland.
Heartland Forward Inc at a glance
In short: Heartland Forward Inc gave $710K across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $47K), mostly in Arkansas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $710,000
- +102.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- +150.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $47,333
- -19.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $6,426,256
- -10.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Arkansas (53% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Heartland Forward Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 1860, Bentonville, AR 72712
Phone: (479) 464-1570
Website: https://heartlandforward.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Heartland Forward Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Heartland Action Inc ($300K). Together the top 10 received $585K.
Grant Size Distribution
26 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 15 grants of 26 (58%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Heartland Forward describes its work as serving states and local communities across the heartland, and its website refers to its twenty states. In 2024, grant dollars went primarily to recipients in Arkansas (53%), Oklahoma (18%), and Illinois (15%); Michigan and Mississippi each received 4%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
Cities
How Heartland Forward Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $77K (2021) to $710K (2024). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $710K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Heartland Action Inc Bentonville, AR | To support the Heartland Health Caucus. | $300,000 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Ready to take the next step with Heartland Forward Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,426,256 | $11,882,702 | $12,640,759 | $710,000 | 15 | $15,500 |
| 2023 | $7,184,313 | $15,261,912 | $10,868,770 | $351,045 | 6 | $837 |
| 2022 | $2,791,171 | $10,819,582 | $11,129,013 | $235,955 | 4 | $30 |
| 2021 | $3,100,602 | $9,900,502 | $7,095,575 | $76,755 | 1 | — |
| 2020 | $296,675 | $837,132 | $541,457 | — | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Heartland Forward’s stated mission is to serve as a resource for states and communities and advance economic opportunity in the heartland. Its filing describes work to improve economic performance in the center of the United States through fact-based solutions supporting job creation, knowledge-based and inclusive growth, and improved health outcomes.
The organization identifies regional competitiveness, talent pipeline, and health and wellness as focus areas. Its website describes work on AI, high-speed internet, economic resilience, entrepreneurship, education, workforce development, human capital, and health improvements.
The 2024 grants included support for the Heartland Health Caucus, digital learning and skills, broadband-related community capacity, and businesses in underserved or economically distressed areas. Heartland Action Inc, which received $300,000, describes its mission as strengthening regional competitiveness, building a talent pipeline, and advancing health and wellness. The American Library Association, which received $60,000, describes its mission as empowering and advocating for libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Heartland Forward reported 15 grants totaling $710,000. Grant amounts ranged from $25,000 to $300,000, with a median of $25,000. The largest award was $300,000 to Heartland Action Inc in Bentonville, Arkansas, to support the Heartland Health Caucus. Other notable grants were $60,000 to the American Library Association for digital learning, skills and training, and $50,000 to the Benton Institute for Broadband and Society to help Oklahoma community leaders stimulate broadband investment.
The 2024 filing also lists $25,000 grants to several businesses, including 1 Girl Revolution LLC, Abily LLC, Domes by Joshua LLC, Film Delta LLC, Gnargo Bike LLC, Heiss Mug LLC, Nehisi Ventures LLC, NovAI LLC, and SecondKeys Inc. Their stated grant purpose was to fund businesses in economically distressed or underserved areas to address community deterioration and unemployment and support sustainable local economic development.
The 2024 filing says grantees must use grants for their specified exempt purposes and submit financial and narrative reports within one year.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Buddy D Philpot as director and secretary; Michael Malone as board director and treasurer; Ross DeVol as board director and president; and Olivia Walton as board director. It also lists Angie Cooper as chief program officer, Blake Woolsey as chief communications and development, and Dave Shideler as chief research officer.
Heartland Forward Inc is led by ROSS DeVOL, Board Director & President on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
ROSS DeVOL
Board Director & President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Buddy D. Philpot
Director & Secretary
Board Director & Secretary → Director & Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael D. Malone
Board Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Olivia Walton
Board Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Angie Cooper
Chief Program Officer
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Blake Woolsey
Chief Communications & Development
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dave Shideler
Chief Research Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Heartland Forward Inc
How much does Heartland Forward Inc give each year?
Heartland Forward Inc gave $710K across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $351K across 6 grants.
What is Heartland Forward Inc's typical grant size?
Heartland Forward Inc's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $47,333, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Heartland Forward Inc give grants?
Heartland Forward Inc gives mostly in Arkansas: 53% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Oklahoma (18%) and Illinois (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Tulsa, OK (3 grants) and Bentonville, AR (2 grants).
Does Heartland Forward Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 87% of Heartland Forward Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (13 of 15) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Heartland Forward Inc's largest grantees?
Heartland Forward Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Heartland Action Inc ($300,000), American Library Association ($60,000) and Benton Institute for Broadband and Society ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Heartland Forward Inc?
Heartland Forward Inc reported $6.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.9M.
What does Heartland Forward Inc fund?
Heartland Forward’s stated mission is to serve as a resource for states and communities and advance economic opportunity in the heartland. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Heartland Forward Inc?
Heartland Forward Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check heartlandforward.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
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.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Heartland Forward Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/heartland-forward-inc-morg_784881a0eac646d7a91d1560f2b89fa0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_842515642_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Heartland Forward Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/heartland-forward-inc-morg_784881a0eac646d7a91d1560f2b89fa0},
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 Heartland Forward 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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