The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation
The Way Forward Foundation is a public charity based in Coconut Grove, Florida. It supports efforts to improve the quality of life, independence, and activity of people living with paralysis, including grants to organizations and programs such as adaptive activities, assistive devices, and education scholarships.
The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation at a glance
In short: The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation gave $173K across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $16K), mostly in Florida. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $172,882
- +50.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- +57.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $15,717
- -4.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,626
- Total assets
- $341,726
- -18.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Florida (70% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s community grants page provides an application form. The filing says prospective grantees are reviewed for purpose and financial status and must provide receipts or a plan for use of the grant before funds are received. The W.H.E.E.L. scholarship application calls for documentation of paralysis, a personal recommendation, a financial-need statement, and a personal statement. The website lists community grant application deadlines of February 23, May 1, August 1, and November 1; the year for these dates is not specified.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 330221, Coconut Grove, FL 33133
Phone: (305) 669-2119
Website: https://wayforwardfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Jackson Health Foundation Inc ($40K). Together the top 9 received $145K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($28,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
36 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 36 grants of 36 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grants went to recipients in multiple states. Florida received 70% of grant dollars, followed by New York at 9%, and Massachusetts, California, and Indiana at 6% each. The website’s W.H.E.E.L. scholarship eligibility is for applicants residing in the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation gives
- Giving grew 76% 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 $75K (2020) to $173K (2024). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $173K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson Health Foundation Inc East Miami, FL | Equip. & Rehab Patients Programming | $39,669 |
| Sabrina Cohen Foundation Miami Beach, FL | Adaptive Beach Programming | $26,000 |
| Shake-a-Leg Miami Inc Miami, FL | Program Funding | $20,000 |
| 2 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $28,000 |
| The Impossible Dream Inc New York City, NY | Sailing Trips for Disabled | $15,000 |
| Empower SCI Summer Camp Waltham, MA | Scholarship | $10,626 |
| Active Disabled Americans Key Largo, FL | Adaptive Equipment | $10,000 |
| PossAbility Unlimited Fort Wayne, IN | Program Funding | $10,000 |
| Northeast PassageUNH System Durham, NH | Program Funding | $7,000 |
| Spinal Cord Injury Gr So Fl Coral Springs, FL | Program Financing | $6,587 |
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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 | $341,726 | $248,584 | $335,498 | $172,882 | 11 | $14,066 |
| 2023 | $417,009 | $216,388 | $236,353 | $115,169 | 7 | $12,584 |
| 2022 | $437,871 | $222,193 | $243,722 | $129,644 | 7 | $3,863 |
| 2021 | $461,792 | $242,352 | $178,995 | $98,175 | 6 | $2,106 |
| 2020 | $417,422 | $187,569 | $142,643 | $75,359 | 5 | $3,227 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to enhance the quality of life for people living with paralysis, with a vision of helping them live active and independent lives. Its 2024 filing says it makes grants to organizations that advance this mission and describes the Woody Pack, a backpack of assistive devices for people with limited hand function. The filing also describes scholarships for people who have suffered a spinal cord injury and support for para-athletes’ prize money and entry fees for the Miami Marathon.
The foundation’s 2024 grantees include organizations whose own stated missions involve adaptive recreation, wellness, and independence. The Sabrina Cohen Foundation says it develops adaptive fitness and recreational programs and funds therapies to improve quality of life for people living with paralysis and various disabilities. Shake-a-Leg Miami says it uses marine equipment to improve health, education, and independence for people with disabilities, disadvantaged youth, and their families. Empower Spinal Cord Injury says it supports people living with spinal cord injuries through immersive programming and community support.
The foundation’s W.H.E.E.L. scholarship program is for people pursuing further education at a university, college, or trade school. Its website describes eligibility for U.S. residents with paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and notes that other conditions causing paralysis may also qualify.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 11 grants totaling $172,882. Grant amounts ranged from $6,587 to $39,669, with a median grant of $10,626. Notable grants included $39,669 to Jackson Health Foundation for equipment and rehabilitation patient programming, $26,000 to the Sabrina Cohen Foundation for adaptive beach programming, and $20,000 to Shake-a-Leg Miami for program funding. Other grants included $15,000 to The Impossible Dream for sailing trips for people with disabilities, $10,626 to Empower SCI for a scholarship, and $10,000 to Active Disabled Americans for adaptive equipment. The filing also lists grants to individual recipients for scholarships.
The foundation says it reviews a prospective grantee’s purpose and financial status before voting on a grant. Grantees must provide receipts or a plan for use of the grant before receiving funds. Its community grants page invites applicants to submit a form to help assess program suitability in relation to the foundation’s mission and values; it also says grant reports help evaluate impact and promote grantees’ organizations and missions.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Lucy Foerster as Executive Director and William E. Beckham III as Vice President. Directors listed are Richard P. Tonkinson, David Mills, Leslie Jones, James Woody Beckham, Sabrina Cohen, Jason Pensky, and Steven Tonkinson. Allison Beckham is listed as Secretary.
The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation is led by Lucy Foerster, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 13 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lucy Foerster
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Ann Stith
President
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Mills
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Woody Beckham
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Jones
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard P Tonkinson
Director
Vice President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven Tonkinson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason Pensky
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sabrina Cohen
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
George Puyana
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
William E Beckham III
Vice President
President → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$28K (2024)
Allison Beckham
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anthony Poppe
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Robert Burlington (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Haley Alonso (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Mary Mills (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Otto F Foerster (2020) — Director
- Former: William Beckham IV (2020) — Treasurer
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 $28K, to William E Beckham III (Vice President).
Frequently asked questions about The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation
How much does The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation give each year?
The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation gave $173K across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $115K across 7 grants.
What is The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation's typical grant size?
The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,626, and its average grant was $15,717, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation give grants?
The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation gives mostly in Florida: 70% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (9%) and Massachusetts (6%).
Does The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Funding" (3 grants).
Who are The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation's largest grantees?
The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Jackson Health Foundation Inc ($39,669), Sabrina Cohen Foundation ($26,000) and Shake-a-Leg Miami Inc ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($28,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation?
The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation reported $342K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $249K.
What does The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to enhance the quality of life for people living with paralysis, with a vision of helping them live active and independent lives. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation?
The foundation’s community grants page provides an application form. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation's EIN?
The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4971953. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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 November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 28, 2023)
- 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 January 21, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 15, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-woody-foundation-inc-dba-the-way-forward-foundation-morg_3686654b23d546798f8d30026dcb1f90
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_204971953_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-woody-foundation-inc-dba-the-way-forward-foundation-morg_3686654b23d546798f8d30026dcb1f90},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 The Woody Foundation Inc dba The Way Forward Foundation'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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