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Forward Momentum Chicago NFP

EIN 46-4011034 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE QUALITY DANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES WITH LIMITED ARTS ACCESS.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
58%
Reserves
8.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 70%
Employees
10
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$147,630, executive dir.

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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    58% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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 (1)
  1. $652,517 spent. DANCE PROGRAMS TO NOT ONLY INCREASE DANCE SKILLS AND AWARENESS, BUT TO FOSTER CREATIVITY, CRITICAL THINKING, AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING.FROM CLASSROOMRESIDENCIES TO FORMAL STUDIO TRAINING, THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS A VARIETY OF DANCEEXPERIENCES FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITY LEVELS.THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM SERVICES CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING:IN-SCHOOL AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS/SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS -THE ORGANIZATION PARTNERSWITH SCHOOLS AND YOUTH SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS TO BUILD RESIDENCIES THAT ARE CUSTOMDESIGNED TO SERVE THE SCHOOLS, COMMUNITIES, AND STUDENTS TO ENSURE ENGAGING PROGRAMS.INSTRUCTORS TRAVEL INTO SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES TO BRING THE ARTS INTO COMMUNITIES WITH LIMITED ACCESS. INSTRUCTION IS TRAUMA-INFORMED, HEALING CENTERED, AND FOCUSED ON UTILIZING MOVEMENT AND DANCE TO IMPROVE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND 21ST CENTURY SKILLS.THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PARTNERS WITH AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS TO PROVIDE YEAR-LONGPROGRAMMING IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA THROUGH AN ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIP THAT SUPPORTSCOLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS. IN THIS PROGRAM, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THECITY MEET DOWNTOWN TO WORK AT FMC DANCE COLLABORATIVE AS A PART OF A DANCE COMPANY. THE FMC DANCE COLLABORATIVE IS MADE UP OF TWO SESSIONS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR THATMEETS THREE TIMES A WEEK AFTER SCHOOL AND A SUMMER DANCE INTENSIVE THAT MEETS FORSEVEN WEEKS.SUMMER DANCE CAMP-THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES TWO CAMPUSES FOR SUMMER DANCE CAMP ONEIN THE ENGLEWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD AND ONE IN THE AVONDALE NEIGHBORHOOD. EACH YEARHUNDREDS OF STUDENTS ATTEND CAMP FOR A FULL DAY OF INSTRUCTION IN BALLET, LATIN, HIP HOP, ANDMODERN/CONTEMPORARY DANCE. DURING THEIR TIME AT CAMP, STUDENTS ARE PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO ON WEEKLY FIELD TRIPS AND TO PERFORM THROUGHOUT THE CITY AT NAVY PIER AND 31ST STREET BEACH AMONG OTHER LOCATIONS BEFORE PRODUCING A FINAL SHOWCASE FOR FAMILIES. ATTENDEES TO THE ORGANIZATION'S CAMP RECEIVE DANCE ATTIRE, A FIELD TRIP UNIFORM, SNACKS, WATER, AND LUNCHES AS A PART OF THEIR REGISTRATION.SATURDAY CLASSES-STUDENTS FROM THE ORGANIZATION'S SUMMER CAMP AND SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS ARE INVITED TO CONTINUE THEIR STUDY OF DANCE IN A MORE STRUCTURED STUDIO SETTING FREE-OF-CHARGE ON SATURDAYS. SATURDAY CLASS STUDENTS ATTEND CLASS WEEKLY AND ARE PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES TO PERFORM THROUGHOUT THE CITY, SUCH AS AT THE ANNUAL ARTS IN THE DARK PARADE ON STATE STREET AND TO ATTEND PROFESSIONAL DANCE PERFORMANCES.

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 July 2014.

    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.