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Forefront

EIN 23-7376023 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE MOBILIZE OUR MEMBERS TO WORK COLLECTIVELY AROUND ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM AND TO THE SECTOR BY ENHANCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF (A) THE ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE THE MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION AND (B) ALL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS THROUGH DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES AND THROUGH THE PROVISION OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE; IDENTIFYING AND PROMOTING THE ROLE OF PHILANTHROPY IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS; PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERACTION AND COMMUNICATION AMONG THE MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION AND ALL NONPROFIT CHARITABLE, RELIGIOUS, LITERARY, SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS; FOSTERING INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE NONPROFIT SECTOR, AND PROVIDING SUPPORT, TRAINING AND FISCAL SPONSORSHIP TO ADVANCE THE GROWTH, MANAGEMENT AND IMPACT OF MISSION DRIVEN ORGANIZATIONS TO MORE EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS SOCIAL CHALLENGES WITH SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS.

Income
$16.1 million
Spending
$9.5 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
31
Volunteers
65
Highest pay
$310,826, president, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 75% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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 June 30, 2025, 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 (4)
  1. $5.2 million spent. FRESH TASTE IS A SPONSORED PROJECT OF FOREFRONT. IT IS A STAFFED FUNDER INITIATIVE FORMED IN 2002 BY A GROUP OF ILLINOIS-BASED FOUNDATIONS AND CHICAGO CITY OFFICIALS INTERESTED IN CHANGING HOW FOOD IS PRODUCED FOR, AND PROCESSED AND CONSUMED IN THE CHICAGO REGION.
  2. $2.3 million spent. FOREFRONT LEVERAGES THE COLLECTIVE POWER OF PHILANTHROPY AND NONPROFITS TO IMPROVE LIVES AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES. FOUNDED IN 1974, FOREFRONT IS THE ONLY MEMBERSHIP ASSOCIATION IN ILLINOIS FOR FUNDERS AND NONPROFITS OF ALL KINDS, AS WELL AS THEIR ADVISORS AND CONSULTANTS. SOME 1,100 INDIVIDUALS AND INSTITUTIONS BELONG TO FOREFRONT, AND THOUSANDS MORE BENEFIT FROM ITS RESOURCES, SOME OF WHICH ARE FREE. FOREFRONT IS BASED IN CHICAGO BUT SERVES THE ENTIRE STATE. IT IS A HUB FOR CONNECTION AND COLLABORATION AS WELL AS A SOURCE OF RESEARCH, PROGRAMS, PUBLICATIONS, AND OTHER TOOLS, INCLUDING A FREE LIBRARY, THAT STRENGTHEN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PHILANTHROPY AND NONPROFITS. THROUGH PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY AND MEDIA RELATIONS, FOREFRONT ALSO SERVES AS A LEADER AND VOICE FOR PHILANTHROPY AND NONPROFITS, PROTECTING AND PROMOTING THEIR CRITICAL MISSIONS AND WORK.
  3. $285,142 spent. CONVERGE CONSULTING IS A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE OWNED AND MANAGED BY FOREFRONT THAT DELIVERS FINANCIAL, ACCOUNTING, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SOLUTIONS TO NONPROFITS AND FOUNDATIONS SO THAT THEY CAN FOCUS ON THEIR MISSION. WE WORK WITH ORGANIZATIONS TO ADDRESS THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS ONAN INTERIM OR CONTINUING BASIS.
  4. $207,907 spent. PUBLIC POLICY, CHICAGO AFRICAN AMERICANS IN PHILANTHROPY (CAAIP), OTHERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.

    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 June 1974.

    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.