Forward Together Wisconsin is a state-level policy advocacy group founded by former Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes (D). The group promotes left-of-center policy on education, environmental, and climate-related issues.  ¹

Advocacy

Forward Together Wisconsin promotes advocacy and education on both state-level and federal-level policies. According to its website, its activities involve “conducting research on federal investments in Wisconsin, educating the general public on accessing said investments, and assisting the general public with technical and financial needs to access the federal funds.” ¹

The group has previously advocated on energy-related issues, such as opposing the removal of green energy tax credits by the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill (also known as the Big Beautiful Bill) ² In August 2025, the group also held a conference with local building owners and government property operators to discuss incorporating geothermal energy production into property renovations. ³

In October 2024, Forward Together Wisconsin hosted a conference with multiple left-of-center advocacy groups to support the “successes” of the Inflation Reduction Act passed during the Biden Administration and to “educate attendees on how to access federal funding to fight climate change while saving money, and created a collective call to action to ensure funding continues flowing into the state.” ⁴ Listed sponsors included  Invest in Our Future, Citizen Action, the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center, and the Open Society Foundations. ⁴ Forward Together Wisconsin has also advocated in favor of developing additional weather-dependent energy infrastructure in Native American tribal lands through government support.  ^{1 5}

Finances

According to its 2023 tax filing, Forward Together Wisconsin reported $1,706,160 in revenue, with all funding coming from charitable contributions, along with $293,884 in expenses and $1,412,276 in net assets. ⁶

Funding

In 2024, Forward Together Wisconsin received a $70,000 grant from the Tides Foundation earmarked for “Healthy Individuals and Communities.” ⁷

In 2023, Forward Together Wisconsin received a $51,000 grant from the Amalgamated Charitable Foundation for general operating support. ⁸

Also in 2023, Forward Together Wisconsin received a $50,000 grant from the Windward Fund earmarked for “environmental programs.” ⁹

Also in 2023, Forward Together Wisconsin received a $25,000 grant from the Muriel Pollia Foundation for its “general grant fund.” ¹⁰

Leadership

As of 2026, Peter Drummond was the executive director of Forward Together Wisconsin, a position he had held since 2023. From 2020 to 2023, Drummond worked as a state director of For Our Future. By 2020, Drummond also worked as the state director of Organizing Together 2020. From 2014 to 2019, Drummond was the central region campaign coordinator of the AFL-CIO. Prior to this, he worked for Working America and the AFSCME. ^{11 12}

Former Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes (D) is the founder and former president of the organization. He stepped down in December 2025 while Drummond would “assume all leadership duties.” ¹³ Prior to Lieutenant Governor, Barnes worked in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2013 to 2017. ¹⁴ On Forward Together Wisconsin’s 2024 tax form, Barnes was listed as the group’s president and reportedly received a salary of $70,000. ¹²

1. “About.” Forward Together Wisconsin. Accessed March 6, 2026. https://forwardtogetherwi.org/about/.
2. “Have a clean energy project underway? Move it forward without delay!.” Forward Together Wisconsin. July 11, 2025. Accessed March 6, 2026. https://forwardtogetherwi.org/have-a-clean-energy-project-underway-move-it-forward-without-delay/.
3. “Unearthing the Impact of Geothermal Technology in WI.” Forward Together Wisconsin. July 25, 2025. Accessed March 6, 2026. https://forwardtogetherwi.org/unearthing-the-impact-of-geothermal-technology-in-wi/.
4. “FTW Fall Convening: Making Sustainable Attainable.” Forward Together Wisconsin. September 27, 2024. Accessed March 6, 2026. https://forwardtogetherwi.org/ftw-fall-convening-making-sustainable-attainable/.
5. “Our Team.” Forward Together Wisconsin. Accessed March 7, 2026. https://forwardtogetherwi.org/our/.
6. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Forward Together Wisconsin. 2023. Part I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/931964673/202521059349301302/full
7. “Tides Foundation Form 990.” ProPublica. Accessed March 6, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/510198509/202523189349301347/full?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
8. “Amalgamated Charitable Inc.” ProPublica. Accessed March 6, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/821517696/202413159349300006/full?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
9. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Windward Fund. Schedule I. Part II. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/473522162/202423169349305292/full
10. Return of Private Foundation Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990-PF). Muriel Pollia Foundation. Part XIV, Section 3. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954111302/202403309349100650/full
11. “Peter Drummond.” Forward Together Wisconsin. Accessed March 6, 2026. https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-drummond-5766648/.
12. “Forward Together Wisconsin Co Form 990.” ProPublica. Accessed March 6, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/931964673/202521059349301302/full.
13. “Forward Together Wisconsin: Announces leadership changes.” State Affairs. December 2, 2025. Accessed March 6, 2026. https://pro.stateaffairs.com/ny/press-releases/forward-together-wisconsin-announces-leadership-changes.
14. Baker, Biko. “Mandela Barnes Answers our Questions.” The Milwaukee Courier. February 19, 2026. Accessed March 6, 2026. https://milwaukeecourier.com/news/2026/02/19/mandela-barnes-answers-our-questions.