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Nonprofiteer
← FOREFRONT

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by FOREFRONT.

Totals

Total revenue
$16,091,692
Total expenses
$9,454,921
Contributions and grants received
$15,146,964
Grants paid
$4,600,931
Program service revenue
$748,109
Investment income
$188,070
Other revenue
$8,549
Total assets, end of year
$18,548,679
Total liabilities, end of year
$2,272,413
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$16,276,266
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$8,068,857
Management and general expenses
$1,031,669
Fundraising expenses
$354,395
Program service expenses (Part III)
$8,068,857

Program services were 85.3% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1b · Membership dues

    $872,737

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $280,000

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $13,994,227

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $750

  • 2a · Program service revenue: CONSULTING

    total $397,880 · unrelated business $397,880

  • 2b · Program service revenue: WORKSHOPS & MEETINGS

    total $195,254 · related or exempt $32,746 · excluded $162,508

  • 2c · Program service revenue: SPONSORSHIPS

    total $146,500 · excluded $146,500

  • 2d · Program service revenue: CAAIP EVENTS

    total $8,475 · related or exempt $8,475

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $188,070 · excluded $188,070

  • 11a · Other revenue: SPEAKER FEE

    total $660 · related or exempt $660

  • 11d · All other revenue

    total $7,889 · excluded $7,889

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $8,549

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $4,600,931 · program services $4,600,931

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $401,570 · program services $101,847 · management and general $168,893 · fundraising $130,830

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $1,729,713 · program services $1,376,894 · management and general $200,675 · fundraising $152,144

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $92,365 · program services $80,716 · management and general $7,837 · fundraising $3,812

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $192,006 · program services $166,408 · management and general $9,143 · fundraising $16,455

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $150,240 · program services $108,362 · management and general $24,076 · fundraising $17,802

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $276,926 · program services $195,773 · management and general $79,447 · fundraising $1,706

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $1,307,574 · program services $924,390 · management and general $375,129 · fundraising $8,055

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $22 · fundraising $22

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $12,094 · program services $9,438 · management and general $2,645 · fundraising $11

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $128,227 · program services $92,285 · management and general $35,241 · fundraising $701

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $198,245 · program services $142,057 · management and general $39,479 · fundraising $16,709

  • 17 · Travel

    total $34,830 · program services $31,283 · management and general $3,443 · fundraising $104

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $169,670 · program services $152,393 · management and general $16,772 · fundraising $505

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $20,310 · program services $3,378 · management and general $16,932

  • 24a · Other expenses: DUES AND MEMBERSHIPS

    total $104,752 · program services $48,472 · management and general $50,741 · fundraising $5,539

  • 24b · Other expenses: BOOK STORE PURCHASES AN

    total $22,289 · program services $22,289

  • 24c · Other expenses: STAFF DEVELOPMENT

    total $2,604 · program services $1,388 · management and general $1,216

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $10,553 · program services $10,553

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $1,976,776 · end of year $1,620,213

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $5,041,617 · end of year $8,245,984

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $4,219,379 · end of year $7,205,622

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $64,964 · end of year $0

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $83,951 · end of year $124,054

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $0

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $0

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $1,470,245 · end of year $1,352,806

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $429,169 · end of year $206,417

  • 18 · Grants payable

    beginning of year $897,600 · end of year $450,000

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $16,467 · end of year $0

  • 24 · Unsecured notes and loans payable

    beginning of year $150,000 · end of year $150,000

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $1,583,990 · end of year $1,465,996

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $635,683 · end of year $702,910

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $9,144,023 · end of year $15,573,356

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

WE MOBILIZE OUR MEMBERS TO WORK COLLECTIVELY AROUND ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM AND TO THE SECTOR BY ENHANCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF (A) THE ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE THE MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION AND (B) ALL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS THROUGH DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES AND THROUGH THE PROVISION OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE; IDENTIFYING AND PROMOTING THE ROLE OF PHILANTHROPY IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS; PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERACTION AND COMMUNICATION AMONG THE MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION AND ALL NONPROFIT CHARITABLE, RELIGIOUS, LITERARY, SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS; FOSTERING INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE NONPROFIT SECTOR, AND PROVIDING SUPPORT, TRAINING AND FISCAL SPONSORSHIP TO ADVANCE THE GROWTH, MANAGEMENT AND IMPACT OF MISSION DRIVEN ORGANIZATIONS TO MORE EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS SOCIAL CHALLENGES WITH SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO BUILD A VIBRANT SOCIAL IMPACT SECTOR FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS.

  • FRESH TASTE IS A SPONSORED PROJECT OF FOREFRONT. IT IS A STAFFED FUNDER INITIATIVE FORMED IN 2002 BY A GROUP OF ILLINOIS-BASED FOUNDATIONS AND CHICAGO CITY OFFICIALS INTERESTED IN CHANGING HOW FOOD IS PRODUCED FOR, AND PROCESSED AND CONSUMED IN THE CHICAGO REGION.

    Expenses $5,248,958 · Grants $4,555,931

  • FOREFRONT LEVERAGES THE COLLECTIVE POWER OF PHILANTHROPY AND NONPROFITS TO IMPROVE LIVES AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES. FOUNDED IN 1974, FOREFRONT IS THE ONLY MEMBERSHIP ASSOCIATION IN ILLINOIS FOR FUNDERS AND NONPROFITS OF ALL KINDS, AS WELL AS THEIR ADVISORS AND CONSULTANTS. SOME 1,100 INDIVIDUALS AND INSTITUTIONS BELONG TO FOREFRONT, AND THOUSANDS MORE BENEFIT FROM ITS RESOURCES, SOME OF WHICH ARE FREE. FOREFRONT IS BASED IN CHICAGO BUT SERVES THE ENTIRE STATE. IT IS A HUB FOR CONNECTION AND COLLABORATION AS WELL AS A SOURCE OF RESEARCH, PROGRAMS, PUBLICATIONS, AND OTHER TOOLS, INCLUDING A FREE LIBRARY, THAT STRENGTHEN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PHILANTHROPY AND NONPROFITS. THROUGH PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY AND MEDIA RELATIONS, FOREFRONT ALSO SERVES AS A LEADER AND VOICE FOR PHILANTHROPY AND NONPROFITS, PROTECTING AND PROMOTING THEIR CRITICAL MISSIONS AND WORK.

    Expenses $2,326,850 · Grants $45,000

  • CONVERGE CONSULTING IS A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE OWNED AND MANAGED BY FOREFRONT THAT DELIVERS FINANCIAL, ACCOUNTING, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SOLUTIONS TO NONPROFITS AND FOUNDATIONS SO THAT THEY CAN FOCUS ON THEIR MISSION. WE WORK WITH ORGANIZATIONS TO ADDRESS THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS ONAN INTERIM OR CONTINUING BASIS.

    Expenses $285,142 · Revenue $397,880

  • PUBLIC POLICY, CHICAGO AFRICAN AMERICANS IN PHILANTHROPY (CAAIP), OTHERS.

    Expenses $207,907 · Revenue $350,889

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Monique B Jones

    PRESIDENT, CEO

    Total calculated
    $310,826
    From this org
    $286,886
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,940
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $285,402
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $1,484
    Deferred
    $19,330
    Nontaxable benefits
    $4,610
    Filer's total
    $310,826

  • Lisa May Simpson

    CHIEF OF STAFF

    Total calculated
    $146,697
    From this org
    $106,797
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $39,900
    Hours/week
    40

  • Aerica Camille Love

    SR CONSULTANT, CONVERGE

    Total calculated
    $132,054
    From this org
    $113,249
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,805
    Hours/week
    40

  • Diane Sotiros

    CFO (FROM DEC '24)

    Total calculated
    $6,040
    From this org
    $5,194
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $846
    Hours/week
    40

  • Anna Lee

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Vickie Lakes-Battle

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Kim Tyler

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Mary O'Donnell

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Lawrence Benito

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Adela Carlin

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Julie Christman

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Latoya Egwuekwe-Smith

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Celeste Flores

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Theodia Gillespie

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • John S Herring Sr

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ianna Kachoris

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Tracy Kremer

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kristen Mack

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Santrice R Martin

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Antonio Tony Martinez Jr

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Dorri McWhorter

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Alex Pleasant

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mary Pounder

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • John Shaw

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Maria Socorro Pesqueira

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Karen M Tamley

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Alison Upton Lopez

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Luara Zumdahl

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Written employment contract
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Disregarded entities

Part I: entities that legally are the filer and file no return of their own.

  • CONVERGE CONSULTING LLC

    CONSULTING · IL · income $397,880 · assets $594,679

    Directly controlled by FOREFRONT

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
22 April 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.5
Source object
202601139349300900

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

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