Palo Alto Forward
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our Mission is to innovate and expand housing and transportation choices for a more inclusive affordable and environmentally sustainable Palo Alto by working with residents and city government. We host educational events conduct original research on local housing and transportation-related issues and serve as a voice to our elected officials and city staff.
- Income
- $105,442
- Spending
- $92,847
- Reserves
- 25 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 47%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (3)
- $20,000 spent. We engaged in an educational campaign to stress the importance of adding housing for all income groups in Palo Alto. The activities included a kickoff event coffees tabling at Farmers markets in Palo Alto and a digital media campaign. We engaged a consultant to design the campaign and digital media outreach and contributed our Executive Director and Community Builder to the activities. We had an event at City Hall to communicate our findings. We have directly engaged several hundred residents in our community and hope our advocacy will benefit the many residents seeking more affordable housing.
- $59,647 spent. Development and maintenance of information on our website regular newsletters physical and online events including solicitation of and coordination with event cosponsor including 350 Silicon Valley and Silicon Valley at Home. Development of agendas and conduct of monthly board meetings and an annual retreat. Meetings with multiple non-profit organizations to build support for improvements in housing and transportation in Palo Alto. The work was conducted by our Executive Director with assistance from board member and other volunteers
- $13,200 spent. With VTA funding we conducted educational events on the connections between land use mobility and transit ridership.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2017.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.