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Kids Forward Inc

EIN 39-0806301 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE INSPIRE ACTION AND PROMOTE ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY KID, EVERY FAMILY, AND EVERY COMMUNITY IN WISCONSIN.A WISCONSIN WHERE EVERY CHILD THRIVES, NOTABLY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF COLOR AND THOSE FURTHEST FROM OPPORTUNITY.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
13
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$230,093, executive director

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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    60% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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 (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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 (1)
  1. $1.2 million spent. STATE EDUCATION AND PUBLIC ISSUES - KIDS FORWARD ADVOCATES FOR EFFECTIVE, LONG-LASTING SOLUTIONS THAT BREAK DOWN BARRIERS TO SUCCESS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN WISCONSIN, NOTABLY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF COLOR AND THOSE FURTHEST FROM OPPORTUNITY. USING RESEARCH AND A COMMUNITY-INFORMED APPROACH, KIDS FORWARD WORKS TO HELP EVERY CHILD, EVERY FAMILY, AND EVERY COMMUNITY THRIVE. KIDS FORWARD SEEKS TO ENSURE THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS WITH A FOCUS ON ENSURING EQUITY WITHIN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM. RESEARCH HAS CONSISTENTLY CONFIRMED THAT CHILDREN WHO PARTICIPATE IN HIGH QUALITY EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS ARE MORE LIKELY READY TO START SCHOOL READY TO LEARN AND ARE MORE SUCCESSFUL IN ACHIEVING POSITIVE LONG-TERM OUTCOMES RELATED TO GRADUATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND HEALTH. GOALS FOR THE EARLY LEARNING WORK INCLUDE EMBEDDING PARENT AND CAREGIVER VOICE INTO REFORM OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM, ELIMINATING RACIAL DISPARITIES IN ACCESS AND OUTCOMES, INCREASING INVESTMENTS (PRIVATE AND PUBLIC) IN TRAINING EARLY LEARNING TEACHERS, PROVIDING SUPPORT TO EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE HIGHER QUALITY SERVICES, AND SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT AND MONITORING OF AN EFFECTIVE QUALITY RATING AND IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM THAT HELPS PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE QUALITY OF PROGRAMS THEY SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO AND PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK FOR MAKING OVERALL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE EARLY LEARNING SYSTEM IN WISCONSIN. KIDS FORWARD SEEKS TO ENSURE THAT ALL CHILDREN AND ADULTS WHO NEED HEALTH CARE HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE AND SERVICES THAT MEETS THEIR HEALTH CARE NEEDS. WISCONSIN HAS MADE PROGRESS IN THE PAST IN INCREASING COVERAGE FOR LOW-INCOME CHILDREN AND MANY ADULTS, AND KIDS FORWARD SEEKS TO PROMOTE POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT AT LEAST MAINTAIN, IF NOT EXPAND, THAT COVERAGE. KIDS FORWARD IS ACTIVE IN WORKING TO EXPAND BADGERCARE (MEDICAID), PROTECT THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AS CRITICAL SOURCES OF ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, AND REDUCE HEALTH DISPARITIES THROUGH A FOCUS ON HEALTH EQUITY IN ALL POLICIES. KIDS FORWARD WORKS TO ACHIEVE RACIAL AND ETHNIC EQUITY AT THE LOCAL AND STATE LEVEL. USING AN ANTIRACIST POLICY ADVOCACY MODEL - RESEARCH, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, POLICY ANALYSIS AND PERSUASIVE COMMUNICATION - OUR TEAM APPLIES A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO ENGAGING LEADERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ACROSS WISCONSIN IN A BROADER, SOLUTION-ORIENTED DIALOGUE AIMED AT REDUCING THE PROFOUND AND PERSISTENT RACIAL DISPARITIES IN HEALTH, EDUCATION, CHILD WELFARE, YOUTH JUSTICE, EMPLOYMENT, AND INCOME THAT PLAGUE THE STATE AND NATION. THROUGH REIMAGINE WISCONSIN WE WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES TO DEVELOP AND ADVANCE AN ANTIRACIST, ANTI-AUSTERITY, PRO WORKER POLICY AGENDA DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT EVERY WISCONSIN CHILD, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY THRIVES. KIDS FORWARD PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS AND EDUCATION ON STATE BUDGET AND TAX ISSUES, PARTICULARLY THOSE RELATING TO COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND THOSE FURTHEST FROM OPPORTUNITY. OUR WORK SEEKS TO EMBED THE PERSPECTIVES OF MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE BROADER DEBATE ON BUDGET AND TAX POLICY THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION AND BY ENCOURAGING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ON THESE ISSUES.

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 February 1942.

    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.