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Forward Assoc Inc

EIN 13-0623590 · New York, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FORWARD'S MISSION IS TO STRENGTHEN ENGAGEMENT WITH JEWISH IDEAS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH A VARIETY OF MEDIA, AND IN PUBLIC EVENTS. IT CARRIES OUT THIS MISSION BY PUBLISHING COMMENTARY ON CURRENT ISSUES AND THE ARTS, IN ENGLISH AND YIDDISH, THAT MEET THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF PUBLIC SERVICE IN JOURNALISM AND CULTURAL EXPRESSION. IT FURTHERS THIS MISSION THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS THAT ENGAGE DEEPLY WITH THE HISTORY, RANGE AND VARIETY OF THE AMERICAN JEWISH EXPERIENCE.

Income
$6.7 million
Spending
$6.6 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
4.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
44
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$415,602, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)
  1. $4.8 million spent. The largest program of the Forward Assocation is its website and associated digital properties, including newsletters, videos and social media programs. It reaches approximately 1.4 million readers a month via the internet at Forward.com and other websites. The quality of its journalism has been recognized with numerous awards for news and cultural coverage, editorials, and digital innovation.
  2. $328,193 spent. YIDDISH MEDIA DIVISION: THE SECOND MAJOR PROGRAM OF THE FORWARD ASSOCIATION IS ITS YIDDISH PUBLICATION, FORVERTS. UPDATED REGULARLY ONLINE, IT IS ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING PUBLICATIONS IN YIDDISH IN THE WORLD AND PROVIDES AN INDISPENSABLE SERVICE TO ITS READERS THROUGH ITS COVERAGE OF YIDDISH CULTURE AS WELL AS NEWS FROM ISRAEL, THE UNITED STATES AND AROUND THE WORLD. THE WEBSITE INCLUDES DOZENS OF VIDEO FEATURES. FORVERTS REACHES AROUND 20,000 READERS MONTHLY VIA THE INTERNET AT FORWARD.COM/YIDDISH.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 2009.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.