Intermediate Guide to Reading Form 990
A deep dive into the IRS Form 990 for grantmakers
This interactive, virtual course is designed to help advanced practitioners strengthen their analytical lens to critically assess what’s happening within organizations, uncover patterns, and prompt questions. Grantmakers will gain a better understanding of the funding perspective and how to use the Form 990 as a tool to gauge organizational and collective impact.
This session will help you:
- Use the Form 990 more confidently as an organizational tool.
- Recognize often-cited flags in the Form 990 and challenge assumptions.
- Use data from the Form 990 to identify trends and opportunities in the community.
(register by 9/1/26)
Deadline to register: Friday, April 23
Please Note: It is essential to the success of these programs that participants attend the full two-hour sessions, as well as participate in polls, breakout sessions, and discussions (either verbally or via chat). The use of artificial intelligence (AI) of any kind is prohibited. The program will NOT be recorded.
Course Instructors
Sarah Berger joined the McKnight Foundation in 2005 and has been a program officer since 2012. She participates in field-building initiatives, including those in rural and urban Minnesota and nationally. Sarah is a member of the Racial Equity Funders Collaborative in Minnesota and serves as an advocate for increasing equity and justice in philanthropy. She is dedicated to equitable grantmaking practices and is deeply interested in decreasing barriers to funding. Learn more about Sarah.
Jeff Williams, Ed.D., is the director of consulting services at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University. With expertise in operations, strategy, data analytics, and public policy, Jeff is passionate about connecting data to people to action. He oversees the center’s annual research agenda and relationships with partner organizations and communities. Learn more about Jeff.
Who should attend this course?
This session is for grantmakers looking for a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of IRS Form 990.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
This course may be canceled if it does not reach the minimum number of registrants. In the event of a cancellation, you will be notified at least two weeks before the course start date and will be offered a full refund or the option to transfer your registration to another Johnson Center course. Refund requests for any other reason must be made at least two weeks prior to the start of the course.
Questions about this event or your registration?
Call 616-331-7585 or email jcp@gvsu.edu.