Kids Forward Inc
We inspire action and promote access to opportunity for every kid, every family, and every community in Wisconsin.a Wisconsin where every child thrives, notably children and families of color and those furthest from opportunity.
Kids Forward Inc at a glance
In short: Kids Forward Inc gave $66K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $17K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $66,000
- +4.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- +33.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $16,500
- -21.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $1,799,227
- -16.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% 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 Kids Forward Inc
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Kids Forward Inc
Alternatives to Secure Detention for Juvenile Status Offenders (Formula Grant program)
Kids Forward Inc
Amount
Approximately $215,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
At-Risk Youth and Youthful Offenders Program (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funding)
Kids Forward Inc
Amount
Up to $150,000 per year for three years (maximum $450,000 total)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Juvenile Offender Substance Abuse and/or Mental Health Program Grants (Non-Direct Juvenile Accountability Grant program)
Kids Forward Inc
Amount
Approximately $275,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Kids Forward Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Milwaukee Area Service & Hospitality Workers Hiring Hall Inc ($20K). Together the top 4 received $66K.
Grant Size Distribution
20 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 19 grants of 20 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Kids Forward Inc gives
- Giving grew 166% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $25K (2021) to $235K (2020). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $66K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Area Service & Hospitality Workers Hiring Hall Inc Milwaukee, WI | Subgrant - "Worker-Centered Policies for an Equitable Recovery | $20,000 |
| Worker Justice Wisconsin Madison, WI | Work on the WCPER Grant | $20,000 |
| University of Wisconsin System Milwaukee, WI | HRSC Work on the WCPER Grant | $20,000 |
| Gardner Learning Center LLC Greenfield, WI | Subgrantee - Datcp/Comida Buena | $6,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,799,227 | $1,512,291 | $2,006,637 | $66,000 | 4 | $24,186 |
| 2023 | $2,151,233 | $1,252,189 | $1,752,296 | $62,940 | 3 | $33,382 |
| 2022 | $2,683,921 | $2,244,873 | $1,833,283 | $138,501 | 6 | $10,993 |
| 2021 | $2,036,682 | $2,103,523 | $1,473,563 | $24,800 | 2 | $1,025 |
| 2020 | $1,490,606 | $1,851,199 | $1,772,254 | $234,500 | 5 | $4,396 |
About Kids Forward Inc
Based on IRS filings
Kids Forward Inc is a public charity focused on Human Services, based in Madison, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.8M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $66K. Net investment income was $24K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Kids Forward Inc is led by Michele Mackey, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 17 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michele Mackey
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$124K (2021) → $213K (2024)
Adam Jackson
President
Director → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caroline Gomez-Tom
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jacquelyn Boggess
Director
President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Heykes
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keith Johnson
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Armando Hernandez
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Riggenbach
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Imhoff
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Winnie Karanja
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David O'Connor
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Lankau
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gigi Stahl
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Garcia Franz
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Colleen Butler
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Inman
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lu Ann Quella
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Denise Demarb (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Lucia Nunez (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Helene Nelson (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Kenneth Munson (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Celia Jackson (2020) — Director
- Former: Kenneth Taylor (2020) — Executive Director
- Former: Tania Ibarra (2020) — Director
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 $213K, to Michele Mackey (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Kids Forward Inc
How much does Kids Forward Inc give each year?
Kids Forward Inc gave $66K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $63K across 3 grants.
What is Kids Forward Inc's typical grant size?
Kids Forward Inc's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $16,500, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Kids Forward Inc give grants?
Kids Forward Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (2 grants).
Does Kids Forward Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Kids Forward Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is Kids Forward Inc?
Kids Forward Inc reported $1.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.5M.
What is Kids Forward Inc?
Kids Forward Inc is a public charity focused on Human Services, based in Madison, WI. It holds $1.8M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Kids Forward Inc's EIN?
Kids Forward Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-0806301. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
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 September 23, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 19, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 18, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Kids Forward Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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