The Way Ahead Trust
The Way Ahead Trust is a private foundation, based in Westhoff, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.0M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $1.2M. Net investment income was $671K.
The Way Ahead Trust at a glance
In short: The Way Ahead Trust gave $1.2M across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $146K), mostly in Georgia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,167,500
- +386.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- +14.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $145,938
- +325.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $2,024,383
- -21.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Georgia (91% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Way Ahead Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was National Christian Foundation ($1.0M). Together the top 8 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
40 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 34 grants of 40 (85%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Way Ahead Trust gives
- Giving grew 349% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 889% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $240K (2024) to $1.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Christian Foundation Alpharetta, GA | Support Educare Programs | $1,000,000 |
| Covenant College Foundation Lookout Mountain, GA | Scholarship to Covenant College | $62,500 |
| Palmer Home for Children Lake Cormorant, MS | Support Orphaned Children | $40,000 |
| Ligonier Ministries Sanford, FL | Promote Christian Ministry | $25,000 |
| Salvation Army Poteet, TX | Homeless and Emergency Support | $15,000 |
| Presbyterian Evan Fellowship Bristol, TN | Missionary Support | $10,000 |
| Sociedad Lucas Lake City, MI | Health Care & Evangelism Support | $10,000 |
| Reformed University Fellowship Charlotte, NC | College Ministry Support | $5,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,024,383 | $822,928 | $1,349,796 | $1,167,500 | 8 | $1,303,519 | $671,195 | $146,609 |
| 2024 | $2,561,178 | $1,200,938 | $357,047 | $240,200 | 7 | $249,790 | $905,327 | $105,008 |
| 2023 | $1,707,360 | $30,682 | $284,138 | $250,200 | 8 | $258,220 | $131,550 | $79,926 |
| 2022 | $1,963,626 | $247,019 | $298,523 | $260,200 | 8 | $267,525 | $196,202 | $68,979 |
| 2021 | $2,015,130 | $362,442 | $299,240 | $265,200 | 9 | $272,865 | $308,234 | $118,565 |
| 2020 | $1,951,928 | $139,836 | $304,280 | $275,200 | 11 | — | $102,826 | $85,621 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Way Ahead Trust reported a distributable amount of $147K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Way Ahead Trust's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; 1 of 2 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ted W. Aven
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$12K (2020) → $12K (2025)
Blanca Hough
Trustee
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Frances J. Aven (2020–2023) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $12K, to Ted W Aven (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The Way Ahead Trust
How much does The Way Ahead Trust give each year?
The Way Ahead Trust gave $1.2M across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $240K across 7 grants.
What is The Way Ahead Trust's typical grant size?
The Way Ahead Trust's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $145,938, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Way Ahead Trust give grants?
The Way Ahead Trust gives mostly in Georgia: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does The Way Ahead Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on The Way Ahead Trust's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Way Ahead Trust's largest grantees?
The Way Ahead Trust's largest 2025 grantees include National Christian Foundation ($1,000,000), Covenant College Foundation ($62,500) and Palmer Home for Children ($40,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 94% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Way Ahead Trust?
The Way Ahead Trust reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $147K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Way Ahead Trust's EIN?
The Way Ahead Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-6533936. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 24, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work The Way Ahead Trust funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Way Ahead Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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