Race Forward
Race Forward is a public charity based in Washington, DC, formed in 1981. It supports communities and public institutions working toward racial justice through governance, organizing, capacity building, and convening.
Race Forward at a glance
In short: Race Forward gave $492K across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $33K), top state Arizona. 73% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $491,626
- -72.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- -25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $32,775
- -62.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $32,403,473
- -12.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 73% first-time grantees (11 of 15, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Arizona (16% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Race Forward
- How to Apply
-
The website describes a competitive application process for the 2024 Cultural Week of Action sponsorship, but says that cycle’s funding had been dispersed.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 96353, Washington, DC 20090
Phone: (212) 513-7925
Website: https://raceforward.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Race Forward funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Alliance for Global Justice ($80K). Together the top 10 received $445K.
Grant Size Distribution
111 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 63 grants of 111 (57%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Race Forward is based in Washington, DC. Its reported 2024 grants went to recipients in multiple states. The filing reports grant-dollar shares of 16% each for Arizona, New Mexico, Georgia, New York, and Missouri. Listed recipients also include organizations in North Carolina, California, and Rhode Island.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Race Forward open to new grantees?
73%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 15 grantees (73%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $70K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $80K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $492K (2024) to $1.8M (2023). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $492K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alliance for Global Justice Tucson, AZ | Environmental Justic | $80,000 |
| Earth Care International Santa Fe, NM | Environmental Justic | $80,000 |
| West Atlanta Watershed Alliance Atlanta, GA | Environmental Justic | $80,000 |
| Food for the Spirit Inc Prattsburgh, NY | Environmental Justic | $80,000 |
| North Carolina Environmental Justic Raleigh, NC | Racial Justice | $40,000 |
| The Michael Brown Sr Chosen for Ch Ferguson, MO | Art Exhibit | $30,000 |
| Cair-SV Sacramento, CA | Community Support | $20,000 |
| Olneyville Housing Corporation Providence, RI | Housing Justice | $15,000 |
| Freedom Community Center St. Louis, MO | Incarceration Justic | $10,000 |
| Humans of St Louis St. Louis, MO | Storytellers and EDI | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Race Forward?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $32,403,473 | $20,527,906 | $25,481,528 | $491,626 | 15 | $653,930 |
| 2023 | $37,006,218 | $27,224,723 | $25,934,156 | $1,760,145 | 20 | $428,100 |
| 2022 | $34,918,779 | $16,435,117 | $25,022,006 | $1,488,500 | 34 | $356,956 |
| 2021 | $41,775,681 | $35,206,795 | $15,756,644 | $1,020,000 | 20 | $17,317 |
| 2020 | $23,950,967 | $20,857,248 | $13,030,036 | $874,470 | 22 | $9,385 |
| 2019 | $15,252,581 | $11,012,148 | $12,081,094 | $714,000 | 8 | $19,177 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Race Forward’s mission is to support communities and public institutions to achieve a just multiracial democratic society through governance that advances racial justice. Its stated vision is a society in which people of color thrive with purpose and power.
In its 2024 filing, Race Forward described work that included institutional and sectoral change, movement capacity building, narrative and storytelling, applied research, place-based strategies, and training. Its website describes the Policy Innovation Lab as supporting local coalitions at the intersection of race and climate justice through tools, training, pass-through funding, and strategic support.
Grantees’ own mission statements show a range of community-based work among 2024 recipients. Food for the Spirit says it uses arts and creative facilitation to support racial healing, ecological justice, and equitable food systems. Earth Care International describes its work as growing grassroots leadership through youth and parent leaders organizing for a healthy, just, and sustainable world. West Atlanta Watershed Alliance says it works to improve quality of life in its watershed by protecting, preserving, and restoring natural resources. Alliance for Global Justice says it supports social change and economic justice by helping build a stronger grassroots movement. Other recipients describe work in affordable housing and community development, maternal and infant health, and alternatives to systems of punishment.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Race Forward reported 15 grants totaling $491,626. The grants ranged from $8,000 to $80,000, with a median of $15,000.
Notable 2024 grants included $80,000 each to Alliance for Global Justice, Earth Care International, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, and Food for the Spirit. Other reported grants included $40,000 to North Carolina Environmental Justice; $30,000 to The Michael Brown Sr Chosen for Change; $20,000 to CAIR-SV; and $15,000 to Olneyville Housing Corporation. Freedom Community Center, Humans of St Louis, Jamaa Birth Village, and The Mission Attempt each received $10,000.
Race Forward’s website describes a competitive sponsorship process for the 2024 Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy. That funding had been dispersed; the website encouraged organizations to consider the following year’s project. Applicants could include local governments, 501(c)(3) organizations, groups with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, or other organizations with a history of community-based programming. Projects were to be nonpartisan; local groups were encouraged to collaborate, with only one sponsorship available per local area. There was no matching requirement. Selected projects were expected to recognize Race Forward and Americans for the Arts in promotional materials, participate in national marketing, survey participants using a standard evaluation, and join a debrief call. Selection criteria were alignment, racial justice, innovation and creativity, and impact, sustainability, and feasibility.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Glenn Harris as president; Eric Ward as vice president; Julie Nelson as SVP, program; Cheryl Blakemore as VP, strategy; Carlton Eley as SD, federal strategy; Candace Moore as senior strategist; Dmitri Holtzman as senior fellow; Crystal Jones as COO; Simone Bermudez as SVP, development; and Karla Bruce as chief of staff.
Race Forward is led by Glenn Harris, President since 2020 (on filings since 2019); 10 of 26 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Glenn Harris
President
President & Executive Director → President, 2020
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$188K (2019) → $291K (2024)
Christi Tran
Chairperson
Director → Vice Chairperson, 2021
Vice Chairperson → Chairperson, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leeann Hall
Director Se
Treasurer → Director, 2023
Director → Director Se, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ramon Ramirez
Director Se
Director → Director Se, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ron Shifman
Director Se
Director → Director Se, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aletha Maybank
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Allis
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ralph Remington
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alberto Retana
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Fox
Director Se
Director → Director Se, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sean Thomas-Breitfeld
Director Se
Director → Director Se, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim Desmond
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Murad Awawdeh
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rocio Inclan
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Nelson
Senior Vice President & Program
Senior Vice President Program → Senior Vice President & Programs, 2020
Senior Vice President & Programs → Senior Vice President & Program, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$150K (2019) → $205K (2024)
Carlton Eley
Sd & Fed. Str
Senior Director Federal Strategies → Sd & Fed. Str, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$161K (2022) → $176K (2024)
Cheryl Cato Blakemore
Vice President & Strategi
Vice President, Strategic Comms & Public Engagement → Vice President & Strategi, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$145K (2022) → $173K (2024)
Eric Ward
Vice President
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$215K (2023) → $221K (2024)
Candace Moore
Senior Strat
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$180K (2024)
Crystal Jones
COO
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$108K (2024)
Dmitri Holtzman
Senior Fello
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$175K (2024)
Karla Bruce
Chief of Sta
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$54K (2024)
Simone Bermudez
Senior Vice President & Development
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$92K (2024)
Kavitha Mediratta
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lori Bezahler
Vice Chair S
Chairperson → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Vice Chair S, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rodney Foxworth
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (29)
- Former: Randall Oakley (2019–2023) — Vice President & Finance
- Former: Richard Kim (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Cathy Albisa (2021–2023) — Vice President Inst & Secretary
- Former: Charlene Sinclair (2022–2023) — Chief of Sta
- Former: Faron McLurkin (2022–2023) — Senior Vice President & Development
- Former: Magnada Dory (2023) — Vice President Human Res
- Former: Genia Wright (2020–2022) — Senior Vice President, Finance & Administrator
- Former: Sean Thomas Breitfeld (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Timarie Harrigan (2022) — Vice President, Development & Partnerships
- Former: Jane Levison (2019–2021) — Senior Vice President, Development & Partnerships
- Former: Rachael Decruz (2019–2021) — Chief of Staff
- Former: Gordon F. Goodwin (2020–2021) — Senior Director & Gare
- Former: Vina Kay (2020–2021) — Vice President & Movement Capacity Building
- Former: Leslie Grant Spann (2021) — Director, Conferences & Convenings
- Former: Dianne Yamashiro-Omi (2019–2020) — Vice Chairperson
- Former: Dominique Apollon (2019–2020) — Vice President & Research
- Former: Scot Nakagawa (2019–2020) — Secretary
- Former: Terrence Keleher (2019–2020) — Senior Director & Strategic Innovation
- Former: Jeffrey Chang (2020) — Vice President, Narrative, Arts & Culture
- Former: Akiba Solomon (2019) — Senior Editorial Director
- Former: Andy Shallal (2019) — Director
- Former: Chris Rabb (2019) — Director
- Former: Dwayne Marsh (2019) — Vice President Institutional Transformation
- Former: John Powell (2019) — Director
- Former: Michell Speight (2019) — Chief of Staff
- Former: Nora Liu (2019) — Northwest Regional Manager
- Former: Paulette Martin (2019) — Senior Vice President, Finance & Administrator
- Former: Rosa Anna Cruz (2019) — Vice President Movement & Capacity
- Former: Susan Smith-Richardson (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 $291K, to Glenn Harris (President). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Race Forward
How much does Race Forward give each year?
Race Forward gave $492K across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.8M across 20 grants.
What is Race Forward's typical grant size?
Race Forward's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $32,775, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Race Forward that year got $19K on average.
Where does Race Forward give grants?
Race Forward's top state is Arizona, with 16% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were New Mexico (16%) and Georgia (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were St. Louis, MO (3 grants) and Ferguson, MO (2 grants).
Does Race Forward give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Race Forward's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Environmental Justic" (4 grants) and "Community Support" (3 grants).
Who are Race Forward's largest grantees?
Race Forward's largest 2024 grantees include Alliance for Global Justice ($80,000), Earth Care International ($80,000) and West Atlanta Watershed Alliance ($80,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Race Forward?
Race Forward reported $32.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $20.5M.
What does Race Forward fund?
Race Forward’s mission is to support communities and public institutions to achieve a just multiracial democratic society through governance that advances racial justice. Its stated vision is a society in which people of color thrive with purpose and power. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Race Forward?
The website describes a competitive application process for the 2024 Cultural Week of Action sponsorship, but says that cycle’s funding had been dispersed. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Race Forward's EIN?
Race Forward's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-2759879. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS November 14, 2020)
- 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 10, 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 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 6, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Race Forward's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Race Forward funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/race-forward-morg_1e54892373eb4b9ea09a07aba75da226
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_942759879_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Race Forward funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/race-forward-morg_1e54892373eb4b9ea09a07aba75da226},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Race Forward'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.
Race Forward down — hundreds of funders to go?