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Forest Forward

EIN 85-1581238 · Dallas, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 46% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

Forest Forward works with the community to combat the causes and effects of systemic inequities through neighborhood revitalization that centers efforts to accelerate the advancement of marginalized people. The centerpoint of the project is the restoration and renovation of the historic Forest Theater in South Dallas.

Income
$14.8 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
46%
Reserves
10.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
8
Volunteers
127
Highest pay
$248,846, president & ceo

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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 77% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 88% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    46% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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. $1.6 million spent. FOREST THEATER PROJECT PRESERVING OUR CULTURAL IDENTITY AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY, THE FOREST THEATER, ONCE KNOWN FOR ITS MARQUEE AND BECKONING LIGHTS, WILL BE RESTORED, YIELDING 45,000 SQUARE FEET DEDICATED TO FOUR CRITICAL SPACES: CONCERT HALL CREATIVE LABORATORY-13,000 SQUARE FEET OF SPACE TO HOUSE MOVEMENT AND RECORDING STUDIO, FLEX SPACE, RESOURCE CENTER, SENSORY IMMERSION ROOM, ARTIST CLASSROOMS, AND LABS ROOF DECK STUDIO THEATER Forest Theater groundbreaking was in April 2024. This officially launched the beginning of an $80m renovation and restoration project, with opening slated for mid-2026. The theater will be a centerpiece of this revitalized South Dallas neighborhood (located three blocks from the MLK Jr. Arts Academy).CRADLE TO COLLEGE EDUCATION PATHWAY & COMMUNITY OUTREACH - A MULTI-YEAR PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DALLAS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO ADVANCE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES BY PROVIDING STUDENT ACCESS TO THE RESTORED FOREST THEATER AND ITS COMPONENT FEATURES SUCH AS THE SENSORY IMMERSION ROOM, STUDIO THEATER WITH ABILITY TO CONVERT FOR ANIMATION AND CGI TECHNOLOGY, AND PODCAST, BROADCAST, AND RECORDING STUDIO. THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP, THE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING CENTER HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO THE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ARTS ACADEMY, EXTENDING ITS CURRICULAR OFFERINGS FROM PRE-K THROUGH THE EIGHTH GRADE.MLK Jr. Arts Academy moved from struggling school to high-performing, with several graduates accepted into the prestigious Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.Housing - Understanding that neighborhoods are impacted by their housing stock, Forest Forward works to establish collaborative relationships to support the development and construction of mixed-income housing. The approach to housing creation will focus on no displacement of residents and preserving affordability.

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 2021.

    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.