Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Go to
www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.
| (i) Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 10 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
|
Total |
||||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | ||||||
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf .... | ||||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | ||||||
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f) .. | ||||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | ||||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | ||||||
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | ||||||
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | ||||||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal
year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | 4,536,764 | 5,113,401 | 9,011,579 | 5,894,596 | 6,801,293 | 31,357,633 |
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose | 134,158 | 126,360 | 26,733 | 197,670 | 206,731 | 691,652 |
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513 ..... | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5 | 4,670,922 | 5,239,761 | 9,038,312 | 6,092,266 | 7,008,024 | 32,049,285 |
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons | 2,373 | 11,588 | 16,131 | 28,347 | 25,678 | 84,117 |
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | 0 | |||||
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | 2,373 | 11,588 | 16,131 | 28,347 | 25,678 | 84,117 |
| 8 | Public support. (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | 31,965,168 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | 4,670,922 | 5,239,761 | 9,038,312 | 6,092,266 | 7,008,024 | 32,049,285 |
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | 188,247 | 155,135 | 150,589 | 255,534 | 320,460 | 1,069,965 |
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | 188,247 | 155,135 | 150,589 | 255,534 | 320,460 | 1,069,965 |
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included on line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.) .. | 73 | 73 | ||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | 4,859,242 | 5,394,896 | 9,188,901 | 6,347,800 | 7,328,484 | 33,119,323 |
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
||||
| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
||||
| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e |
Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): |
|||||
| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 0.015 of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by 0.035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | 1 | |
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
2 | |
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | 3 | |
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | 4 | |
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required - provide details in Part VI) | 5 | |
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | 6 | |
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | 7 | |
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
8 | |
| 9 Distributable amount for 2024 from Section C, line 6 | 9 | |
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | 10 | |
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2024 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2024 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2024 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2024 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI).
See instructions. |
||||
| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2024: | ||||
| a From 2019....... | ||||
| b From 2020....... | ||||
| c From 2021....... | ||||
| d From 2022....... | ||||
| e From 2023....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2024 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2019 not applied (see instructions) |
||||
| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2024 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2024 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2024, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
||||
|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2024. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
||||
|
7 Excess distributions carryover to 2025. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
||||
| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2021..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2022..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2023..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2024..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
|---|
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| SCHEDULE A, PART III, LINE 12, EXPLANATION OF OTHER INCOME: | MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE - 2020 AMOUNT: $ 73. |
| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| FORM 990 PART III, LINE 4A | EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA (EDFORWARDAZ) IS A LEADING ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO ADVANCING EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AND EQUITY ACROSS ARIZONA. OUR VISION IS TO CREATE AN ARIZONA WHERE EDUCATION IS THE FOUNDATION FOR INDIVIDUAL PROSPERITY AND COLLECTIVE PROGRESS. BY ESTABLISHING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND ELEVATING THE VOICES OF UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES, ALIGNING WELL WITH OTHER EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY EFFORTS WITHIN THE STATE, EDFORWARDAZ PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN SHAPING THE STATE'S EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE. OUR OVERALL ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS ARE AS FOLLOWS: - DEVELOP OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STATEWIDE EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT SUCCESS AND GALVANIZE SUPPORT FOR IMPROVED OUTCOMES ON EDUCATION PROGRESS METER INDICATORS. - REACH THE STATEWIDE ATTAINMENT GOAL BY 2030, STARTING WITH EARLY LEARNING AND WORKING THROUGH AN ALIGNED P-20 CONTINUUM. - CLOSE OPPORTUNITY AND ACHIEVEMENT GAPS AT ALL LEVELS. - ADVOCATE FOR STATE-LEVEL FUNDING THAT IS ALLOCATED MORE INTENTIONALLY TO THOSE MOST IN NEED OF ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. SUMMARY OF 2024 ORGANIZATIONAL RESULTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA CONTINUED ITS WORK IN 2024 TO CREATE A COHESIVE CASE FOR EDUCATION AND HOW IT BENEFITS ALL ARIZONANS, ALIGN KNOWLEDGE AND INTERESTS TO CREATE MORE EFFECTIVE APPROACHES AND INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY, AND BUILD PUBLIC AND POLITICAL WILL FOR DRAMATIC EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT. EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA STANDS AS A NONPARTISAN, UNITED AND TRUSTING VOICE OF EDUCATION IN ARIZONA TO FIGHT FOR THE EDUCATION SYSTEM WE ALL WANT. ACHIEVING OUR GOALS REQUIRES A LARGE-SCALE EFFORT TO MOBILIZE THE EDUCATION SECTOR, BUSINESS LEADERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND THE PUBLIC TO DRIVE DRAMATIC EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT. OUR APPROACH INCLUDES PROVIDING DIRECT SERVICES TO REDUCE CHALLENGES AND MEET URGENT NEEDS OF STUDENTS TODAY AND LEADING ADVOCACY INITIATIVES TO UNITE STAKEHOLDERS, ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES, AND CREATE LASTING CHANGE FOR YEARS TO COME. EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA BEGAN 2024 WITH MOMENTUM DRIVEN BY THE BILLIONS TO GAIN ECONOMIC IMPACT REPORT AND THE EXPANSION OF THE EVERYTHING TO GAIN CAMPAIGN, WHICH ACCELERATED OUR EFFORTS IN FOCUSING ON EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT ACROSS THE STATE. WITH AMBITIOUS GOALS AND A FOCUS ON STRATEGIC PRIORITIES, THE TEAM ACHIEVED NOTABLE IMPACT, EMPOWERING EDUCATORS, ENGAGING MORE ARIZONANS, AND DRIVING PROGRESS TOWARD ARIZONA'S ACHIEVE60AZ GOAL OF INCREASING EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT FOR A STRONGER ECONOMY. SPECIFICALLY IN 2024, PURSUING THE ATTAINMENT GOAL KNOWN AS ACHIEVE60AZ UNDER A STRATEGIC THEME OF "ATTAINMENT AMPLIFIED: DRIVING ACTION TOWARDS ACHIEVE60AZ", THE ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHED AND FOCUSED ON THREE PRIORITY AREAS: 1. LEADING THE NARRATIVE: RAISING AWARENESS AND ELEVATING THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT THROUGH STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS. 2. ADVOCATING FOR EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITY: SUPPORTING STUDENTS' SUCCESS VIA POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE GOALS. 3. BUILDING CAPACITY FOR IMPACT: STRENGTHENING INTERNAL SYSTEMS, FUNDRAISING, AND OPERATIONAL FOUNDATIONS. ACROSS THESE PRIORITY AREAS, EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES: - DIRECTED MILLIONS IN SCHOLARSHIPS AND SUCCESS SERVICES, CELEBRATING OUR 1,000TH SCHOLAR GRADUATE, AND LAUNCHING A GROUNDBREAKING WORKFORCE INITIATIVE. - GREW THE EVERYTHING TO GAIN DIGITAL NETWORK BY ALMOST 5,000 INFLUENCERS, LEADERS, AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. - CONDUCTED THREE IMPACTFUL PUBLIC OPINION POLLS, INFLUENCING THOUSANDS OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY LEADERS. - ASSISTED APPROXIMATELY 40,000 STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH FAFSA GUIDANCE AND TRAINED HUNDREDS OF COLLEGE ACCESS PROFESSIONALS. - IMPROVED DATA COLLECTION AND REPORTING, DELIVERED OUR MOST SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING EVENT ("INSPIRED EVENING"), AND ADVOCATED FOR KEY POLICIES SUPPORTING ACCESS AND ATTAINMENT. WE ALSO ACHIEVED KEY PROGRAMMATIC SUCCESSES IN 2024, INCLUDING SCHOLARSHIP EXPANSION AND NEW INITIATIVES, STUDENT SUCCESS SERVICES AND COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAMMING, MEMBERSHIPS, SUSTAINABILITY AND REVENUE GENERATION, AND NATIONAL AND STATE COLLABORATION ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF FAFSA COMPLETION ASSISTANCE. IN ADDITION, WE ACHIEVED FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL SUCCESS THROUGH SECURING OF NEW UNRESTRICTED FUNDS, EXCEEDING A MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENT FROM A KEY FUNDER, EXPANDING OTHER KEY PARTNERSHIPS, AND ACHIEVING ZERO AUDIT FINDINGS. BUILDING ON THESE ACHIEVEMENTS, THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS PROVIDE A DEEPER LOOK AT OUR PROGRESS ACROSS PRIORITY AREAS, OUTLINING THE STRATEGIES IMPLEMENTED AND THEIR IMPACT IN 2024. PRIORITY AREA: LEADING THE NARRATIVE: ELEVATING ATTAINMENT THROUGH STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS 1. AMPLIFYING PUBLIC AWARENESS - CONDUCTED THREE STATEWIDE PUBLIC OPINION POLLS TARGETING DIVERSE ARIZONA DEMOGRAPHICS, REVEALING BARRIERS LIKE COST AND AFFIRMING STRONG SUPPORT FOR ACHIEVE60AZ. - DEVELOPED A MESSAGING FRAMEWORK SHIFTING THE FOCUS FROM "COLLEGE" TO "EDUCATION AND TRAINING AFTER HIGH SCHOOL," LEADING TO A MEASURABLE INCREASE IN PUBLIC SUPPORT. - SPOTLIGHT: PUBLIC OPINION SHIFTED BY 10% IN 12 MONTHS, UNDERSCORING THE CAMPAIGN'S GROWING INFLUENCE. 2. ADVANCING STATEWIDE ADVOCACY - PARTNERED WITH BUSINESS, EDUCATION, AND PHILANTHROPIC LEADERS TO PRESENT THE CASE FOR POSTSECONDARY ATTAINMENT TO KEY DECISION-MAKERS, INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. - GARNERED SUPPORT FROM LEGISLATORS THROUGH INITIATIVES LIKE THE STATE LEGISLATORS PLEDGE, AIMED AT SECURING COMMITMENT TO THE ACHIEVE60AZ GOAL IN 2025. - SPOTLIGHT: COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS SUCCESSFULLY POSITIONED EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AS A BIPARTISAN PRIORITY, ENGAGING LEADERS ACROSS SECTORS AND SECURING COMMITMENTS TO ADVANCE ACHIEVE60AZ 3. MAXIMIZING MEDIA IMPACT - SECURED FIVE OP-EDS IN MAJOR PUBLICATIONS AND DOZENS OF ARTICLES ACROSS NEWS OUTLETS, WITH MEDIA VISIBILITY VALUED AT $1.2M. - ORGANIZED PRESS CONFERENCES AND WEBINARS THAT FACILITATED DISCUSSIONS ON POLL FINDINGS, ATTRACTING SIGNIFICANT PARTICIPATION FROM STAKEHOLDERS AND THE PUBLIC. - SPOTLIGHT: DIGITAL ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS GENERATED 1.4 MILLION IMPRESSIONS, DRIVING 6,000+ NEW VISITORS TO THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE AND THE NEWLY LAUNCHED EVERYTHINGTOGAIN.ORG. 4. BROADENING SOCIAL AND EMAIL ENGAGEMENT - RAISED AWARENESS OF THE EVERYTHING TO GAIN MESSAGE THROUGH HUNDREDS OF SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, ACHIEVING OVER 86,000 IMPRESSIONS AND 3,427 ENGAGEMENTS. - TARGETED EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS LED TO MORE THAN 800 NEW SUBSCRIBERS AND EXPANDED THE CONTACT LIST BY 4,500 IN EIGHT MONTHS. - SPOTLIGHT: EMAIL OPEN RATES EXCEEDED INDUSTRY BENCHMARKS, HIGHLIGHTING THE CAMPAIGN'S RESONANCE WITH STAKEHOLDERS. OVERALL IMPACT FOR THIS PRIORITY AREA: THE EVERYTHING TO GAIN CAMPAIGN AND BROADER COMMUNICATION EFFORTS SIGNIFICANTLY ELEVATED AWARENESS OF ARIZONA'S POSTSECONDARY ATTAINMENT IMPERATIVE. BY ALIGNING MESSAGING WITH PUBLIC SENTIMENT, ENGAGING CROSS-SECTOR LEADERS, AND LEVERAGING MEDIA OUTREACH, EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA LAID A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE ADVOCACY AND POLICY INITIATIVES, ADVANCING THE STATE'S PROGRESS TOWARD ACHIEVING THE ACHIEVE60AZ GOAL. PRIORITY AREA: ADVOCATING FOR EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITY: PRIORITIZING STUDENT SUCCESS IN LEGISLATIVE GOALS 1. CREATING A UNIFIED RESPONSE - CONVENED EXECUTIVE LEADERS FROM HELIOS, GPEC, ABOR, AND OTHER KEY ORGANIZATIONS TO FORM A COORDINATED RESPONSE TO STATE BUDGET SHORTFALLS, EXPLICITLY FOCUSING ON EDUCATIONAL PRIORITIES. - THE COLLABORATIVE GROUP DEVELOPED A SHARED "CASE FOR ATTAINMENT," ADVOCATING FOR REINSTATEMENT FUNDING FOR KEY PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE ARIZONA PROMISE, DUAL ENROLLMENT, AND THE TEACHERS ACADEMY. - SPOTLIGHT: THE GROUP SECURED A MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S TOP POLICY AND EDUCATION ADVISORS, ADVANCING DIALOGUE ON EDUCATION FUNDING PRIORITIES FOR 2025. 2. SUPPORTING LOCAL CAMPAIGNS - SUPPORTED THE PROPOSITION 486 CAMPAIGN IN MARICOPA COUNTY TO PROMOTE A MEASURE MODERNIZING COMMUNITY COLLEGE FUNDING AND SUPPORTED PROPOSITION 402 IN GRAHAM COUNTY TO ADDRESS LOCAL EDUCATION FUNDING NEEDS. - THESE MEASURES WERE SUCCESSFULLY APPROVED BY VOTERS IN NOVEMBER, SECURING CRITICAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN BOTH REGIONS. 3. ENGAGING POLICYMAKERS AND PARTNERS - COLLABORATED WITH THE GOVERNOR'S EDUCATION POLICY OFFICE AND KEY ACCESS PARTNERS TO INITIATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW ARIZONA PLAN FOR ATTAINMENT, SET TO LAUNCH IN 2025. EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA WAS ENTRUSTED WITH LEADING THIS EFFORT TO REBUILD TRUST AND MOMENTUM FOLLOWING STATEWIDE BUDGET CUTS. - PRESENTED KEY BUDGET CONCERNS AND POLICY PRIORITIES IN OVER 150 COMMUNITY MEETINGS, INCLUDING FIVE REGIONAL CONVENINGS, REACHING THOUSANDS OF ARIZONA EDUCATORS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND ADVOCATES. - SPOTLIGHT: NINE DISTINCT EDUCATION POWER HOUR WEBINARS ON KEY TOPICS LIKE HOW EDUCATION IS FUNDED IN ARIZONA DREW 900+ ATTENDEES, PROVIDING PARTICIPANTS WITH INFORMED ADVOCACY TOOLS AND STRATEGIES. |
| 4. BUILDING ADVOCACY MOMENTUM | - PRODUCED SIX EDUCATION EXPLAINERS AND ADVOCACY ALERTS, REACHING THOUSANDS OF ADVOCATES WITH ACTIONABLE RESOURCES TO PROMOTE EDUCATION FUNDING AND POLICY SOLUTIONS. - INCREASED AZCAN MEMBERSHIP FROM APPROXIMATELY 1200 TO 1400 INDIVIDUALS, ACROSS APPROXIMATELY 600 SCHOOLS. - SPOTLIGHT: ADVOCACY POSTS ON FAFSA COMPLETION AND DUAL ENROLLMENT RESULTED IN THOUSANDS OF IMPRESSIONS, ENGAGEMENTS AND SITE VISITS, EMPOWERING ADVOCATES TO INFLUENCE KEY POLICY DECISIONS. OVERALL IMPACT FOR THIS PRIORITY AREA: THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA LED A UNIFIED, STRATEGIC RESPONSE TO THE BUDGET SHORTFALLS THAT THREATENED CRITICAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. BY COLLABORATING WITH INFLUENTIAL PARTNERS AND GRASSROOTS ADVOCATES, THE ORGANIZATION HELPED SECURE CRITICAL LOCAL FUNDING AND ADVANCED DIALOGUE WITH POLICYMAKERS, LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR FUTURE BUDGET IMPROVEMENTS AND POLICY CHANGES. PRIORITY AREA: BUILDING CAPACITY FOR IMPACT: STRENGTHENING OUR ORGANIZATIONAL FOUNDATIONS - WE ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT SUCCESSES THROUGH EFFORTS FOCUSED ON ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND SUCCESSION PLANNING, ADVANCING REVENUE GOALS AND HOLDING EXPENSES BELOW PLAN WITH FINANCIAL INTEGRITY, ENHANCING DATA-DRIVEN DECISION MAKING, OPTIMIZING IT INFRASTRUCTURE, AND SUPPORTING STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND RETENTION. - SPOTLIGHT: THE ORGANIZATION PRESERVED CONTINUITY AND ENHANCED OVERSIGHT OF CRITICAL FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS WHILE PRESERVING ZERO AUDIT FINDINGS OR INTERNAL CONTROL CONCERNS AS A SINGLE AUDITEE MANAGING FEDERAL GRANT REQUIREMENTS; RAISED SIGNIFICANT NEW FUNDING FOR UNRESTRICTED OPERATING SUPPORT (INCLUDING A FUNDRAISING EVENT THAT EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS), WHILE MEETING A MATCH REQUIREMENT FOR A KEY FUNDER (HELIOS EDUCATION FOUNDATION) AND THEREBY UNLOCKING $1M FOR FUTURE IMPACT; DEPLOYED NEW DATA VISUALIZATION TOOLS TO EMPOWER TEAMS TO FORECAST FUTURE NEEDS AND OPTIMIZE DECISION-MAKING; REDUCED RELIANCE ON EXTERNAL CONSULTANTS BY BUILDING INTERNAL EXPERTISE; AND USED GALLUP EMPLOYEE SURVEY DATA TO BOOST STAFF ENGAGEMENT, ENABLING GREATER CONTRIBUTIONS TO ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS. OVERALL IMPACT FOR THIS PRIORITY AREA: THROUGHOUT 2024, EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA FORTIFIED ITS ORGANIZATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH STRATEGIC INITIATIVES, ACHIEVING GREATER FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY, OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY, AND ENHANCED STAFF CAPACITY. WITH A SOLID FOUNDATION, THE ORGANIZATION IS WELL-POSITIONED TO DRIVE MEANINGFUL IMPACT IN ARIZONA'S EDUCATION LANDSCAPE IN 2025. PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS AND RESULTS EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA'S STUDENT AND EDUCATOR FOCUSED PROGRAMMING REMAINED A VITAL PIECE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS MISSION TO INCREASE EDUCATION OUTCOMES AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL ARIZONANS, AND A KEY PIECE OF THE SUSTAINABILITY MODEL FOR THE ORGANIZATION. IN 2024, WE SAW GROWTH IN ALL CONTINUING PROGRAMS, AND DELIVERED ON OUR PROMISE TO SYSTEMICALLY EVALUATE EACH PROGRAM FOR RELEVANCY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND IMPACT WHEN FACED WITH RENEWAL AND CONTINUATION DECISIONS. IN 2024 WE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROGRAMMATIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS, INCLUDING: 1. SCHOLARSHIP EXPANSION AND NEW INITIATIVES - AWARDED A RECORD 641 SCHOLARSHIPS, TOTALING $2.9 MILLION, INCLUDING 300+ FOR NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS FUNDED BY THE FREEPORT-MCMORAN NATIVE AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. - LAUNCHED THE FIRST-EVER GRADUATE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WITH A COHORT OF 15 STUDENTS. - PARTNERED WITH ALIENTO TO ADMINISTER THE UPDATED ADELANTE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. - SELECTED TO ADMINISTER THE $1M HELIOS 20TH ANNIVERSARY TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. - RECEIVED APS COMMITMENT TO TRIPLE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING THROUGH DOE GRANT AWARD. - SPOTLIGHT: REACHED 1,000 SCHOLARS GRADUATED OVER THE PAST 19 YEARS, UNDERSCORING LONG-TERM IMPACT. 2. STUDENT SUCCESS SERVICES AND COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAMMING - SUCCESSFULLY PROVIDED THREE UNIQUE STUDENT SUCCESS OPPORTUNITIES: THE LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM, ETIQUETTE DINNER, AND CAREER DAYS. - LAUNCHED A NEW MULTI-YEAR, $1.1M WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION PATHWAYS PARTNERSHIP WITH FREEPORT-MCMORAN TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS IN ARIZONA TO ADDRESS THE SKILLED WORKFORCE NEEDS OF FREEPORT BY PROVIDING RESOURCES TO SUPPORT ALL EDUCATIONAL AND LIVING EXPENSES OF PARTICIPANTS ENROLLED IN ACADEMIC PROGRAMS. - RENEWED THE COLLEGE KNOWING AND GOING (CKG) PROGRAM GRANT THROUGH 2027, WITH A $3.4M GRANT, SUPPORTING COLLEGE RESOURCE TEAMS IN 30 HIGH SCHOOLS ACROSS NINE COUNTIES AND FUNDING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 60 CKG AMBASSADORS. - CONCLUDED A THREE-YEAR AMERICORPS GRANT IN SEPTEMBER 2024, WITH OVER 23,000 HOURS OF SERVICE BY 48 AMERICORPS MEMBERS ACROSS 20 SITES AND 76 HIGH SCHOOLS. - SPOTLIGHT: ENGAGED NEARLY 40,000 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND FAMILIES STATEWIDE THROUGH ASK BENJI, A KEY RESOURCE FOR FAFSA COMPLETION AND COLLEGE ACCESS, INCLUDING A NEWLY LAUNCHED PILOT PROGRAM THAT PROVIDED COLLEGE AND CAREER NUDGES TO 6,000 HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS. 3. MEMBERSHIPS, SUSTAINABILITY, AND REVENUE GENERATION - INCREASED AZCAN MEMBERSHIP FROM 1,200 TO 1,400 MEMBERS, REPRESENTING APPROXIMATELY 600 SCHOOLS. - SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITIONED THE COLLEGE ACCESS PROFESSIONAL (CAP) TRAINING FROM A "FREE" TO A "PAID" MODEL, REALIZING A NET INCOME OF $12,000 FROM AUGUST TO DECEMBER OF 2024. - DELIVERED ENHANCED CAP TRAINING TO 590 INDIVIDUALS, 300 FULLY COMPLETING THE PROGRAM. - SPOTLIGHT: AZCAN REMAINS A LEADER IN ARIZONA'S COLLEGE ACCESS FIELD, FOSTERING A GROWING NETWORK OF PROFESSIONALS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING STUDENT SUCCESS. 4. NATIONAL AND STATE COLLABORATION - COLLABORATED WITH THE US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, NCAN, ABOR, AND AZED TO BETA TEST THE 2025 FAFSA AND JUMPSTART FSA ID COMPLETION EFFORTS, POSITIONING ARIZONA AS ONE OF THE TOP 10 STATES IN FSA ID COMPLETIONS. - SPOTLIGHT: THESE COLLABORATIONS STRENGTHENED ARIZONA'S ROLE IN NATIONAL COLLEGE ACCESS INITIATIVES AND PROVIDED CRITICAL SUPPORT TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES NAVIGATING FINANCIAL AID PROCESSES. OVERALL IMPACT FOR PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION: THESE PROGRAMMATIC ACHIEVEMENTS DEMONSTRATE THE BREADTH AND DEPTH OF EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA'S INFLUENCE ON ARIZONA'S EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE. BY EXPANDING SCHOLARSHIPS, INNOVATING IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND FOSTERING NATIONAL COLLABORATIONS, THE ORGANIZATION DRIVES ACCESS TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, PROMOTES WORKFORCE READINESS, AND SUPPORTS LONG-TERM STUDENT SUCCESS. LOOKING AHEAD AS WE PREPARE FOR 2025 AND BEYOND, EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA IS POISED TO BUILD ON THESE ACHIEVEMENTS. THE ORGANIZATION REMAINS STEADFAST IN ENSURING THAT EVERY ARIZONAN HAS EVERYTHING TO GAIN THROUGH POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, ADVANCING THE ACHIEVE60AZ GOAL, AND MAKING A LASTING IMPACT STATEWIDE. EDFORWARDAZ HAS LAID A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY AND EQUITY IN ARIZONA, POSITIONING ITSELF AS A LEADING FORCE IN THE STATE'S EDUCATIONAL REFORM EFFORTS. THE ORGANIZATION'S ABILITY TO FORM STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS, ADVOCATE FOR POLICY CHANGE, AND ENGAGE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGH DIRECT SERVICES HAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES. TO SUSTAIN THIS MOMENTUM, EDFORWARDAZ WILL CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN ITS PARTNERSHIP, DEEPEN ITS ENGAGEMENT WITH UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, AND EXPAND ITS INFLUENCE ACROSS THE STATE. BY CONTINUING TO REFINE ITS KEY STRATEGIES AND ADAPT TO ARIZONA'S EVOLVING EDUCATIONAL AND POLITICAL LANDSCAPE, EDFORWARDAZ WILL REMAIN A KEY DRIVER OF EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND ATTAINMENT. EDUCATION IS THE CORNERSTONE OF INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE SUCCESS IN A STATE AS DIVERSE AND DYNAMIC AS ARIZONA. EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA HAS EMERGED AS A PIVOTAL PLAYER IN THE MISSION TO ADVANCE EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND ATTAINMENT. FROM URBAN CENTERS TO RURAL COMMUNITIES, EDFORWARDAZ IS LEADING CHANGE AND FORGING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS, ADVOCATING FOR IMPACTFUL POLICIES, AND ELEVATING THE VOICES OF THOSE WHO HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN UNDERREPRESENTED. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO PARTNER WITH OR SUPPORT EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA, VISIT EDUCATIONFORWARDARIZONA.ORG OR EMAIL US AT INFO@EDUCATIONFORWARDARIZONA.ORG. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B | THE FORM 990 IS PREPARED BY AN OUTSIDE ACCOUNTING FIRM AND THEN REVIEWED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT/CEO AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BEFORE IT IS FILED WITH THE IRS. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C | THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND SIGN CONFLICT OF INTEREST QUESTIONNAIRES ANNUALLY. THE CEO AND TREASURER REVIEW AND APPROVE ALL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION ACCORDING TO THE ORGANIZATION'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST WOULD BE DETECTED DURING THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCESS. THE PROCEDURES STATED IN THE CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST POLICY WOULD BE FOLLOWED TO DEAL WITH ANY ISSUE ARISING. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 | THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REVIEW EXTERNAL COMPENSATION/BENEFIT INFORMATION IN MAKING THE DETERMINATION EACH YEAR IF SALARY INCREASES ARE WARRANTED FOR THE PRESIDENT/CEO BASED ON PERFORMANCE AND EXPERIENCE. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 | THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT MAKE ITS ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, BYLAWS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, OR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. IT MAY PROVIDE DOCUMENTS UPON WRITTEN REQUEST. FORM 990 IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON GUIDESTAR OR UPON REQUEST. |
| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |