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A Way Forward Inc

EIN 85-2676751 · Longmont, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO SMASH BARRIERS TO RECOVERY AND CREATE MORE ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED SERVICES FOCUSED ON SUBSTANCE USE AND MILD TO MODERATE MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS WHILE CREATING A COMMUNITY OF BELONGING AND HEALING IN THE ST. VRAIN VALLEY. A WAY FORWARD (AWF) IS A COMMUNITY RECOVERY CENTER OFFERING EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS WITH STRUCTURED CLASSES, INCLUDING AN INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM, A VARIETY OF RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORT.

Income
$286,064
Spending
$334,686
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
15
Volunteers
21
Highest pay
$40,334, executive dir.

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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $263,963 spent. DURING 2024, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED SERVICES FOR 650 INDIVIDUALS. CLIENT CONTACTS TOTALED 14,839, A 33% INCREASE OVER 2023. IN 2024, AWF RECEIVED FUNDING FOR AND WERE ABLE TO STRENGTHEN SERVICES TO VETERANS, THE SPANISH SPEAKING COMMUNITY, YOUTH AND THE NEWLY HOUSED. SERVICES INCLUDED: A NEWLY FUNDED 12-WEEK INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM, RUNNING CONCURRENTLY WITH A VARIETY OF OTHER GROUPS; CLASSES AND EVIDENCE BASED SERVICES TO SUPPORT MANY PATHS TO RECOVERY AND A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS GROUP CLASSES AS WELL AS INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORT 7 DAYS A WEEK. ALL SERVICES ARE OFFERED AT NO CHARGE.SERVICE RECIPIENTS SELF-REPORTED THE FOLLOWING: 97% FEEL THEIR LIFE IS MORE STABLE, 100% REPORTED FEELING MORE HOPEFUL, 97% BENEFITED FROM GROUP SUPPORT AND 100% BENEFITED FROM THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2020.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.