Foot Forward Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
We work with Tanzanian women Artisans as they create beautiful, handmade artisan products. We provide a fair wage for their exceptional work, along with unique opportunities which enrich their lives and those of their families (this includes clean water accessible to them and their families, access to tools and equipment for micro-business, school fees and uniforms, and English lessons). Ultimately, after expenses, proceeds from artisan products are invested in US charities which invest in clean water, girls education, and women and children's health. We have no paid employees and though costs for starting up the organization have been higher (with potential for revenue from artisan products uncertain) we endeavor to ensure that we are achieving important social good for the Artisans and the charitable beneficiaries.
- Income
- $256,484
- Spending
- $265,130
- Spent on programs
- 93%
- Reserves
- 2.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 82%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 60
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 28% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1593% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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)
- $78,453 spent. ARTISAN PROGRAM: Our commitment to female empowerment and economic mobility has a deep and lasting impact on the 30 women Artisans currently engaged in our program in East Africa (Tanzania), allowing them to structurally exit poverty while preserving their rich cultural heritage. Through this program, we partner directly with local women to produce handcrafted, high-quality African Maasai sandals, jewelry, dog collars, and other accessories. These items utilize traditional, intricate beadwork coupled with sustainable, up-cycled materials-such as thread salvaged from grain bags and plastic templates given a second life. By providing a reliable marketplace and ensuring the payment of fair wages, we empower these women with financial stability and independence, allowing them to better provide for their households and families. The creative and collaborative process builds robust self-esteem, cultivating leadership skills that the Artisans carry forward into all aspects of their community lives. Furthermore, our investment extends beyond commerce into active educational and enrichment support for the Artisans. This access to education significantly increases the likelihood that these women will educate their own children, creating a compounding multi-generational cycle of literacy and opportunity. Finally, 100% of the net proceeds generated from these artisan product sales directly fund our organizational infrastructure and our signature humanitarian initiatives, creating an unbroken circle of women helping women elevate themselves with dignity and hope.
- $121,005 spent. PERIOD OUTREACH & MENSTRUAL HEALTH INITIATIVE (UHURUPADS): Operated the 'UhuruPads' initiative, Africa's first compostable sanitary pad production and humanitarian distribution program based in East Africa (Tanzania). This initiative directly provides dignified employment for local women who manufacture eco-friendly, 100% compostable menstrual pads. Through this targeted outreach period, approximately 8,000 school-aged girls were directly impacted and two dozen local women were empowered to present vital menstrual health education within their communities. The program successfully coordinates the distribution of these essential hygiene products to girls in need, removing a critical barrier to education and ensuring they can remain in school with confidence and dignity. In addition to physical supplies, the initiative delivers vital health, wellness, and menstrual hygiene education, alongside providing new undergarments to program participants to restore confidence, promote health equity, and foster long-term community empowerment.
- $45,864 spent. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: Driven by the foundational belief and Swahili proverb, 'Elimu ni mali ambayo adui hawezi kuiteka'-Education is a possession that no enemy can take-our Scholarship Program provides critical academic access and educational enrichment to young women and the children of our local community partners in East Africa (Tanzania), supporting 5 students in full to be able to pursue college. Realizing that secondary and higher education costs create an insurmountable barrier for vulnerable families, this initiative provides targeted tuition support, fees, and essential academic resources. By securing these educational pathways, we ensure that talented and driven students can remain continuously enrolled in school, build lasting self-reliance, and unlock their full leadership potential. This program acts as a vital bridge to long-term empowerment, dramatically increasing multi-generational literacy rates and economic resiliency within the community. Through deep relationship-building, mentorship, and financial transparency, our team works to break down gender disparities in education, helping young women cultivate the confidence, skills, and agency necessary to build a stronger, more equitable future for themselves and their families.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2016.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Food Forward Inc (North Hollywood, CA), EIN 90-0678872. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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.