2026-08-19T09:19:46-05:00 2025-12-31 341884125 CBIZ ADVISORS LLC 4722 N 24TH ST STE 300 PHOENIX AZ 85016 990 2025-01-01 202366755 EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA EDUC 6026361850 4747 NORTH 32ND STREET 150 PHOENIX AZ 850183306 RICH NICKEL PRESIDENT & CEO 6026361850 2026-08-18 1 KRISTEN M BASS P01247587 6022646835 2026-08-18 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z RICH NICKEL 4747 NORTH 32ND STREET 150 PHOENIX AZ 850183306 11928797 0 X EDUCATIONFORWARDARIZONA.ORG X 2005 AZ TO ADVOCATE FOR HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION AND TRAINING THAT ALIGNS WITH CAREER AND WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL ARIZONANS. 17 16 38 17 0 0 6801293 5386833 116560 58664 358324 471629 0 0 7276177 5917126 2648911 2765065 0 0 3588225 3440026 0 0 417126 1848759 1629530 8085895 7834621 -809718 -1917495 20515483 19811044 1969000 2516416 18546483 17294628 X TO ADVOCATE FOR HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION AND TRAINING THAT ALIGNS WITH CAREER AND WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL ARIZONANS. 0 0 6369082 2765065 58664 EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA IS A STATEWIDE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO ADVANCING EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AND EQUITY ACROSS ARIZONA. THE ORGANIZATION WORKS TO ENSURE THAT ALL ARIZONANS HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION AND TRAINING THAT ALIGN WITH CAREER AND WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES. BY CONVENING CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERS, ADVANCING DATA-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS, AND DIRECTLY SUPPORTING SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS, EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA WORKS TO STRENGTHEN THE CONNECTION AMONG EDUCATION ATTAINMENT, WORKFORCE READINESS, AND LONG-TERM ECONOMIC MOBILITY. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA ADVANCES ITS MISSION THROUGH SEVERAL INTEGRATED PROGRAM AREAS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE POSTSECONDARY ACCESS, PERSISTENCE, AND COMPLETION FOR ARIZONA STUDENTS. 6369082 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 14 0 1 38 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 17 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 X RICH NICKEL PRESIDENT & CEO 6026361850 4747 N 32ND ST SUITE 150 PHOENIX AZ 85018 RICH NICKEL PRESIDENT & CEO 40.00 X X 297623 0 25448 RON BUTLER VICE CHAIR & TREASURER 0.25 X X 0 0 0 JOHN FEES DIRECTOR & CHAIR 0.25 X X 0 0 0 SHELLEY MELLON DIRECTOR & SECRETARY 0.25 X X 0 0 0 TRACY BAME DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 TENIQUA BROUGHTON DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 DR DANIEL CORR DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 JASON COOCHWYTEWA DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 GONZALO DE LA MELENA DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 KATE HICKMAN DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 EDMUNDO HIDALGO DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 CHEVY HUMPHREY DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 PAUL KOEHLER DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 VINCE ROIG DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 CRISTIE STREET DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 SCOTT VANDERPOOL DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 SHELLEY WATSON DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 JENNIFER M MURPHY VP OF POSTSECOND. ACCESS & ATTAINMENT 40.00 X 106000 0 16131 DIANA FIGUEROA SR VP MARCOMM & STRATEGIC 40.00 X 152000 0 8616 TEENA OLSZEWSKI SR VP & CHIEF OF STAFF 40.00 X 152000 0 8582 STEPHEN HART VP OF FINANCE/ADMIN 40.00 X 122300 0 7058 MYRNA M CARDENAS VP OF SUCCESS SERVICES PARTNERSHIPS 40.00 X 109200 0 16277 939123 0 82112 7 0 1 0 COLLABORATIVE COMMUNICATION GROUP 1029 VERMONT AVE NW 9TH FLOOR WASHINGTON DC 20005 CONSULTING 457600 1 380986 5005847 5386833 SUCCESS SERVICES FEES 611710 47084 47084 AZCAN & TRAINING PROGRAMS 611710 11580 11580 58664 323259 323259 6061462 5913092 148370 148370 148370 98579 380986 98579 0 5917126 58664 0 471629 68200 68200 2696865 2696865 323071 207059 87131 28881 2468422 1582028 665731 220663 126050 80786 33995 11269 312850 200507 84376 27967 209633 134355 56538 18740 434524 434524 32265 32265 1328 1328 38231 38231 94006 81414 486 12106 4260 4260 107962 104746 2348 868 239405 202064 25834 11507 10747 10747 105578 94025 5828 5725 19066 19066 19548 17562 1986 PARTNERING EXPENSES 269841 269841 RECIPIENT SEMINARS 88071 88071 OTHER FUNDRAISING EVENT 73650 73650 MEMBERSHIP DUES 20365 20365 70683 51269 13664 5750 7834621 6369082 1048413 417126 3188051 1818779 6916779 8348829 2813636 1519385 165514 199790 63738 54688 96326 82997 37643 13329 7290622 7816644 39500 39600 20515483 19811044 170888 175999 1798112 2340417 1969000 2516416 X 6261420 5904578 12285063 11390050 18546483 17294628 20515483 19811044 -1917495 643053 22587 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 5113401 9011579 5894596 6801293 5386833 32207702 126360 26733 197670 206731 58664 616158 5239761 9038312 6092266 7008024 5445497 32823860 11588 16131 28347 25678 19864 101608 0 11588 16131 28347 25678 19864 101608 32722252 155135 150589 255534 320460 323259 1204977 155135 150589 255534 320460 323259 1204977 5394896 9188901 6347800 7328484 5768756 34028837 0.96160 0.96520 0.03540 0.03230 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1328 1328 7833293 7834621 541731 135433 0 0 458244 510979 554295 541731 2065249 3097874 44856 21525 1354 1328 69063 114561 127745 138574 135433 516313 774470 44856 21525 1354 1328 69063 7088946 850298 345703 7593541 6725291 698955 335300 7088946 6363611 681580 319900 6725291 8308207 -869599 324997 750000 6363611 7987903 1249006 178702 750000 8308207 0.00000 0.79126 0.20873 0 0 96326 82997 13329 13329 X 6997044 643053 475096 1118149 5878895 38231 38231 5917126 8248899 452509 452509 7796390 38231 38231 7834621 PART V, LINE 4: THE ENDOWMENT FUNDS ARE HELD AS INVESTMENTS. THE EARNINGS FROM THE INVESTMENTS ARE HELD FOR SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS AND COLLEGE SUCCESS SERVICE EXPENSES. THESE EXPENSES INCLUDE PROFESSIONAL AND PEER MENTORING, AS WELL AS TECHNICAL AND PROGRAM COSTS. PART X, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION QUALIFIES AS A TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE ( IRC ) AND, ACCORDINGLY, THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION QUALIFIES FOR THE CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION DEDUCTION UNDER SECTION 170 OF THE IRC AND HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS NOT A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION. INCOME DETERMINED TO BE UNRELATED BUSINESS TAXABLE INCOME WOULD BE TAXABLE. THE ORGANIZATION EVALUATES ITS UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS, IF ANY, ON A CONTINUAL BASIS THROUGH REVIEW OF ITS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, REVIEW OF ITS REGULAR TAX FILINGS, AND DISCUSSIONS WITH OUTSIDE EXPERTS. AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2025 AND 2024, MANAGEMENT DOES NOT BELIEVE ANY UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS EXIST. THE ORGANIZATION'S FEDERAL RETURN OF ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAX (FORM 990) FOR 2022, 2023, AND 2024 ARE SUBJECT TO EXAMINATION BY THE IRS, GENERALLY FOR THE THREE YEARS AFTER THEY WERE FILED. INSPIRED 479565 380986 98579 98579 479565 380986 98579 98579 98579 0 1 SCHOLARSHIPS 601 2696865 N/A N/A PART I, LINE 2: GRANTS ARE AWARDED ON A SEMESTER-TO-SEMESTER BASIS. AN AWARDEE MUST MEET TWO TIMES PER SEMESTER WITH A STAFF COACH/MENTOR, MEET A GPA REQUIREMENT BY PROVIDING THEIR TRANSCRIPT AND PROVIDE THEIR MENTOR WITH A CLASS REGISTRATION SCHEDULE FOR THE NEXT SEMESTER. IF AT ANY TIME AN AWARDEE IS NOT CURRENT IN THEIR REQUIREMENTS, FUNDING MAY BE WITHHELD OR WITHDRAWN. X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 RICH NICKEL PRESIDENT & CEO 257900 0 26000 0 13723 0 14300 0 11148 0 323071 0 0 0 DIANA FIGUEROA SR VP MARCOMM & STRATEGIC 142000 0 10000 0 0 0 7600 0 1016 0 160616 0 0 0 TEENA OLSZEWSKI SR VP & CHIEF OF STAFF 143000 0 9000 0 0 0 7600 0 982 0 160582 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 7 BONUS PAYMENTS WERE MADE BASED ON MEETING ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS AND ARE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. FORM 990 PART III, LINE 4A 1. SCHOLARSHIPS AND STUDENT SUCCESS SERVICES EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS AND STRUCTURED ADVISING SERVICES TO FIRST-GENERATION AND LOW-INCOME ARIZONA STUDENTS PURSUING POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, HELPING THEM ENROLL IN COLLEGE, PERSIST TO GRADUATION, AND TRANSITION INTO CAREER PATHWAYS. IN 2025, THE ORGANIZATION AWARDED 886 SCHOLARSHIPS AND PROVIDED INDIVIDUALIZED ADVISING AND CAREER GUIDANCE TO PARTICIPATING SCHOLARS. THESE EFFORTS CONTRIBUTED TO STRONG STUDENT OUTCOMES, INCLUDING A 94% PERSISTENCE RATE AND AN 80% GRADUATION RATE AMONG PARTICIPATING SCHOLARS. IN 2025, THE ORGANIZATION ALSO CELEBRATED 20 YEARS OF SCHOLARSHIP IMPACT, SURPASSING 1,000 CUMULATIVE GRADUATES WHOSE EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT HAS GENERATED AN ESTIMATED $2.2 BILLION IN LONG-TERM ECONOMIC IMPACT FOR ARIZONA. 2. POST-SECONDARY ACCESS INITIATIVES EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA WORKS WITH ARIZONA HIGH SCHOOLS, COUNSELORS, COLLEGE ACCESS PROFESSIONALS, AND STATEWIDE PARTNERS TO STRENGTHEN COLLEGE ACCESS SYSTEMS AND SUPPORT STUDENTS IN TRANSITIONING SUCCESSFULLY FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION. THROUGH THE COLLEGE KNOWING & GOING (CKG) INITIATIVE, THE ORGANIZATION PARTNERED WITH 30 HIGH SCHOOLS ACROSS ARIZONA TO IMPLEMENT A SHARED FRAMEWORK FOR COLLEGE READINESS, STUDENT ADVISING, AND DATA-DRIVEN IMPROVEMENT. PARTICIPATING IN SCHOOLS IMPLEMENTED COMMON WORK PLANS AND TRACKED PROGRESS USING SHARED PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES DESIGNED TO INCREASE POSTSECONDARY ENROLLMENT AND READINESS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO SUPPORTS STATEWIDE EFFORTS TO IMPROVE COMPLETION OF THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA) AND COORDINATES THE ARIZONA COLLEGE ATTAINMENT NETWORK (AZCAN), A STATEWIDE PROFESSIONAL NETWORK FOR COLLEGE ACCESS PRACTITIONERS. IN 2025, EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA CO-LED ARIZONA'S FAFSA COALITION AND HOSTED STATEWIDE CONVENINGS THAT BROUGHT TOGETHER COUNSELORS, EDUCATORS, AND ACCESS PROFESSIONALS TO STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL AID COMPLETION AND POSTSECONDARY ADVISING. ARIZONA WAS SELECTED AS ONE OF FIVE STATES NATIONALLY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FAFSA BETA TEST, REFLECTING THE STATE'S GROWING LEADERSHIP IN COLLEGE ACCESS COORDINATION. 3. STATEWIDE ENGAGEMENT AND ATTAINMENT ADVOCACY EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA CONDUCTS NONPARTISAN PUBLIC EDUCATION AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES THAT HELP COMMUNITIES, EDUCATORS, AND POLICYMAKERS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF POSTSECONDARY ATTAINMENT AND WORKFORCE READINESS. IN 2025, THE ORGANIZATION RELEASED THE FUTURE OF ATTAINMENT IN ARIZONA, A STATEWIDE REPORT EXAMINING ARIZONA'S PROGRESS TOWARD INCREASING POSTSECONDARY ATTAINMENT AND STRENGTHENING THE EDUCATION-TO-WORKFORCE PIPELINE. THROUGH ITS EVERYTHING TO GAIN PUBLIC AWARENESS INITIATIVE AND STATEWIDE OUTREACH EFFORTS, EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA ENGAGED STUDENTS, FAMILIES, EDUCATORS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS ACROSS ARIZONA IN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN EDUCATION, WORKFORCE READINESS, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. ENGAGEMENT ACROSS DIGITAL PLATFORMS, MEDIA COVERAGE, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS REACHED MORE THAN ONE MILLION ARIZONANS WITH INFORMATION ABOUT POSTSECONDARY ATTAINMENT AND WORKFORCE READINESS. 4. REGIONAL ATTAINMENT PARTNERSHIPS EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA ALSO SUPPORTS REGIONAL COLLABORATIONS THAT BRING TOGETHER BUSINESS, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS TO ADVANCE LOCAL ATTAINMENT GOALS. IN 2025, THE ORGANIZATION CONVENED SIX REGIONAL ATTAINMENT GROUPS ACROSS ARIZONA AND PUBLISHED THE STATE'S FIRST GUIDE FOR COMMUNITIES SEEKING TO LAUNCH REGIONAL ATTAINMENT INITIATIVES. THESE PARTNERSHIPS STRENGTHEN COORDINATION BETWEEN EDUCATION PROVIDERS, EMPLOYERS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO INCREASE POSTSECONDARY ATTAINMENT AND WORKFORCE READINESS. THROUGH THESE COMBINED EFFORTS, EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA WORKS TO EXPAND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY, STRENGTHEN ARIZONA'S TALENT PIPELINE, AND EXPAND OPPORTUNITY FOR ARIZONA RESIDENTS. 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.