Forge Project Association

What it reported doing in 2024

Collection, exhibitions and other programsforge project stewards a collection of 180 pieces of contemporary art with an emphasis on the work of living indigenous artists. The collection is displayed on a rotating basis on site and is available for research as well as loan for off-site exhibitions.from the outset, the forge project collection was intended as a working collection, with loans to museums, galleries, and cultural centers taking place almost immediately after its founding in 2021, loaning to 20 different institutions worldwide in 2024. The purpose of the lending program is to serve as a model for mainstream art collections and collecting. Among its values, the lending program endeavors to: experiment with new models for loans through co-custodianship agreements that enable self-determination for the artists, leverage forge's position to advocate for fair use and fair pay on behalf of the artists, and rethink conventional approaches to terminology and taxonomy, including in database categorization and exhibition copy.public programs: forge project hosts an array of public educational and engagement activities for the wider public both in-person and online totalling 15+ annually. This includes 6+ performances, artist talks, and academic panels which are also filmed for later use for personal and academic educational purposes. A dozen in-person only educational community meals, land stewardship workshops, and educational onsite tours engage all ages in deep engagement with the multidisciplinary work of forge project.additional relational programs: in addition to the fellowship program forge project is committed to facilitating gatherings by and for native people. This work includes an international indigenous art criticism residency program which takes place at forge project over several weeks with professional faculty. Smaller incubator type projects are hosted on emergent topics throughout the year as well.editorial: forging is a digital-first journal for critically imagining native futures producing 12 editions annually. Its editors and contributors are deeply committed to changing the way we study and interpret indigenous survivance in the face of settler colonialism, with a focus on engaging, highlighting, and learning from native voices. The editorial program also supports 4-6 writers and researchers annually to work for a week onsite at forge project with unfettered access to our library and research tools.land: forge project stewards 60 acres of young forest and former hayfields or lawn and is in active regeneration of that land, focusing on 5-10 acres a year for active remediation. This work is done with a collaborative team of both native and non-native advisors and is maintained through community engagement during the popular seasonal meadow work days.general operating & property maintenance: forge project is run by 8 full time employees who also take on all program facilitation and administration in support of dozens of artists, academics, and other program participants. Organizational overhead also includes the ownership and maintenance of four buildings across the three properties, all of which support the organizational mandate of supporting native leaders in arts and culture.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 10.7%; rating input score 11
• Program expense ratio: 62.2%; rating input score 62
• Fundraising efficiency: $55.12 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 80; 80th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 7 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 88
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 83.1%; rating input score 98; 98th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 13.92; rating input score 93; 93rd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 85; 85th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 15.2%; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -19.1% per year; rating input score 0; 1st percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -53.3% per year; rating input score 0; 0th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 43.1% per year; rating input score 100; 97th percentile among comparable filings