Future Forward Education Fund

The Future Forward Education Fund is a left-of-center organization promotes the campaigns of Democrat Party-affiliated political candidates and left-of-center policies through “educational” efforts. It is a fiscally sponsored project of the Our American Future Foundation (OAFF), a Washington, D.C.-based organization that is affiliated with electoral advocacy groups Future Forward USA Action and Future Forward PAC (FF PAC). 1 2

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At-A-Glance

Type: Non-profit, 501(c)(3), Organization
Ideological Alignment: Left of Center
Issue Areas: Elections Policy
Formation:

2022

Project of:

Our American Future Foundation (OAFF)

Affiliated Groups:

Future Forward USA Action

Future Forward PAC (FF PAC)

Contents

    OAFFF expressed plans to spend $85 million to $150 million on “educational programming” through the Future Forward Education Fund in 2024. 1

    Background

    The Future Forward Education Fund is a left-of-center organization promotes the campaigns of Democrat Party-affiliated political candidates and left-of-center policies through “educational” efforts. 1

    According to a 2024 New York Times report and tax filings, the Future Forward Education Fund is fiscally sponsored by Our American Future Foundation (OAFF), a Washington, D.C.-based left-of-center nonprofit, and is affiliated with electoral advocacy groups Future Forward USA Action and Future Forward PAC (FF PAC). OAFF claims to promote making the country “more equitable, more just, and more sustainable” by funding “social change leaders.” OAFF launched Future Forward Education Fund in 2022. 3 1 4 5

    According to a 2024 reporter for the Washington Examiner, OAFF was initially established by Ezra Reese, an associate of attorney Marc Elias. 6 7 According to a 2024 New York Times story, OAFF planned to roll over most of the Future Forward Education Fund’s assets to Future Forward USA Action in 2024. Additionally, the OAFF expressed plans to spend $85 million to $150 million on “educational programming” through the Future Forward Education Fund in 2024. 1

    As a charitable organization, the Future Forward Education Fund does not directly give to explicitly electoral organizations or efforts. OAFF spokesman Eddie Vale told the New York Times that “All 501(c)(3) dollars that were raised were spent in accordance with the charitable rules,” which prohibit campaign intervention. 1 8

    Funding

    In 2023, the Sherwood Foundation donated nearly $5 million to Our American Future Foundation’s (OAFF) for the purpose of funding Future Forward Education Fund. 4

    In 2024, the Dallas Foundation donated a $50,000 grant to OAFF for providing “general support” for Future Forward Education Fund. 5

    In 2024, the Sherwood Foundation donated a $2.5 million grant to the Future Forward Education Fund through OAFF. 9

    In 2024, the Gill Foundation donated over $2 million to the Future Forward Education Fund, through OAFF, for “general operating support.” 10

    In 2024, the Give Forward Foundation donated aa $250,000 grant to OAFF for providing “general operating support” for the Future Forward Education Fund. 11

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    References

    1. Schleifer, Theodore. “Harris’s Main Allied Group Raised Over $900 Million to Aid Her Bid.” The New York Times, November 15, 2024. Accessed January 5, 2026. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/15/us/politics/harris-future-forward.html.
    2. Schleifer, Theodore. “Nearly $900 Million Flowed in Secret to Help Harris and Trump in 2024.” The New York Times, December 17, 2025. Accessed January 5, 2026. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/us/politics/harris-trump-dark-money-democrats-republicans.html.
    3. “About Us.” Our American Future. Accessed January 5, 2026. https://ouramericanfuturefoundation.org/about-us/.
    4. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990-PF). Sherwood Foundation. 2023. Part XIV, line 3 – Grants and Contributions Paid During the Year or Approved for Future Payment.
    5. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). The Dallas Foundation. 2024. Schedule I, Part II – Grants and Contributions Paid During the Year or Approved for Future Payment.
    6. Kaminsky, Gabe. “Top Harris ally revealed as project of Elias-blessed group accused of illegal payments.” The Washington Examiner, November 18, 2024. Accessed January 5, 2026. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/3233003/future-forward-harris-mark-elias-group-accused-illegal-payments/.
    7. Kaminsky, Gabe. “Failed Democratic candidates pocket ‘fellowship’ cash from opaque progressive group to run in 2024.” The Washington Examiner, January 24, 2024. Accessed January 5, 2026. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/2812270/opaque-progressive-group-fellowship-pay-failed-candidates/.
    8. “Restriction of Political Campaign Intervention by Section 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations.” Internal Revenue Service. Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/restriction-of-political-campaign-intervention-by-section-501c3-tax-exempt-organizations.
    9. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990-PF). Sherwood Foundation. 2024. Part XIV, line 3 – Grants and Contributions Paid During the Year or Approved for Future Payment.
    10. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990-PF). Gill Foundation. 2024. Part XIV, line 3 – Grants and Contributions Paid During the Year or Approved for Future Payment.
    11. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990-PF). Give Forward Foundation. 2024. Part XIV, line 3 – Grants and Contributions Paid During the Year or Approved for Future Payment.