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Alabama Forward

EIN 85-3077637 · Montgomery, AL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ALABAMA FORWARD IS A STATE-BASED 501 (C) (3) CIVIC ENGAGEMENT COORDINATING TABLE COMMITTED TO ADVANCING MOVEMENT TOWARDS GREATER FREEDOM AND PROGRESSIVE, SOLUTION-ORIENTED POLICY AMONG A DIVERSE COALITION OF ALABAMA-BASED PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, SO THAT EVERY ALABAMIAN CAN ENGAGE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. IN PURSUIT OF THIS MISSION, ALABAMA FORWARD WILL PRIORITIZE RACE AND GENDER EQUITY TO ENGAGE EVERY ALABAMIAN IN ALL ASPECTS OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
17.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
13
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$102,512, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 36% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 87% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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 (3)
  1. $1.7 million spent. ALABAMA FORWARD PROVIDES A VARIETY OF CAPACITY-BUILDING SERVICES, PROGRAMS, AND RESOURCES TO ITS NETWORK OF MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING SUBGRANTS, TRAININGS, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, ACCESS TO CAPACITY-BUILDING TOOLS AND RESOURCES, AND PROGRAMS THAT AMPLIFY THEIR INDIVIDUAL MISSIONS AND ACTIVITIES.
  2. $329,245 spent. SHAKE THE FIELD IS A NARRATIVE CAMPAIGN, INTERACTIVE WEBSITE, COMMUNITY, AND LIFESTYLE BRAND TARGETING ALABAMIANS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18-45 WHO LIVE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND/OR IN THE ALABAMA DIASPORA. THE GOAL OF EACH OF THESE COMPONENTS IS TO CREATE AN ENCOURAGING AND FUN SPACE FOR TARGET AUDIENCE MEMBERS TO CULTIVATE PRO-DEMOCRACY CIVIC IDENTITIES AND RELATIONSHIPS WHILE ALSO EMBRACING COMMITMENT TO LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN ALABAMA'S CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, ARTISTIC, AND CULTURAL COMMUNITIES.
  3. $183,971 spent. POWER ON THE LINE IS A STATEWIDE NARRATIVE CAMPAIGN INTENDED TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE MERRIL V. MILLIGAN CASE BROUGHT BEFORE THE US SUPREME COURT AND THE IMPACT THE CENSUS AND THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS HAS ON EVERYDAY LIFE FOR ALABAMIANS ACROSS THE STATE.

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 April 2021.

    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.