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Nonprofit · EIN 34-1986692

BUSINESS-HIGHER EDUCATION FORUM

Tax-exempt · WASHINGTON, DC 20036

Financials

$2.3M$2.8M2022$2M$2.7M2023$2.7M$2.6M2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of BUSINESS-HIGHER EDUCATION FORUM by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
September 30, 2025990$2,713,551$2,553,364$160,187$1,611,925$1,193,481$418,444
September 30, 2024990$1,969,422$2,716,032-$746,610$1,614,580$1,361,685$252,895
September 30, 2023990$2,265,691$2,837,937-$572,246$2,524,066$1,587,355$936,711
Financial details: 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$1,469,653
Program service revenue
$1,207,894
Investment income
$19,204
Other revenue
$16,800

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$10,000
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$621,248
Other salaries and wages
$798,699
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$1,594,642
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Legal fees
$3,641
Accounting fees
$16,500
Occupancy
$142,169
Travel
$94,485
Program services (functional)
$1,395,687
Management and general (functional)
$1,157,677

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$1,614,580
Total assets, end of year
$1,611,925
Total liabilities, end of year
$1,193,481
Net assets, end of year
$418,444
Publicly traded securities
$431,531
Net assets without donor restrictions
-$127,227
Net assets with donor restrictions
$545,671
Gross receipts
$2,713,551
Employees
10
Volunteers
13
Year formed
2004
State of legal domicile
DC

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
KRISTEN D FOXCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Officer
40$305,938$0
JENNIFER THORNTONSENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Key employee
40$216,411$26,230
STACEY BROWNCFO
Highest-paid employee
40$184,235$20,966
FRANK AVERYSENIOR DIRECTOR
Highest-paid employee
40$143,702$18,055
CANDACE WILLIAMSDIRECTOR REGIONAL INITIATIVES
Highest-paid employee
40$130,143$8,823
SUZANNE AMOONARQUAHOPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Highest-paid employee
40$109,944$14,058
STEPHANIE BLOCHINGERDIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP / SECRETARY
Officer
40$109,828$7,674
LAURA K IPSENCHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
JEFFREY D ARMSTRONGVICE CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
TIMOTHY D SANDSPAST CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
JAE LYNN AKINBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JOSEPH E AOUNBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
TERRANCE CHENGBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JOHN J DEGIOIABOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LISA GEVELBERBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
5 more people on this return
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
EARL F MARTY MARTINBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
RYAN OAKESBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
CHRIS REBERBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
JAY A PERMANBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
MADELINE PUMARIEGABOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0
990 for the year ended September 30, 2024: 23 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
BRUCE GARDNERVP OF MEMBERSHIP (END 2/2024)
Highest-paid employee
40$236,250$16,751
JENNIFER THORNTONSR. DIRECTOR
Key employee
30$189,422$23,207
STACEY BROWNCFO
Highest-paid employee
40$185,675$20,737
BRIAN K FITZGERALDCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (END 1/2024)
Officer
25$173,426$25,991
SUZANNE AMOONARQUAHDIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Highest-paid employee
40$149,699$18,314
STEPHANIE BLOCHINGERDIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
Highest-paid employee
40$137,083$10,039
CANDACE WILLIAMSDIRECTOR REGIONAL INITIATIVES
Highest-paid employee
40$116,386$13,508
MARY PAPAZIANPAST CHAIR / PT CEO
Trustee or director, Officer
20$69,000$0
KRISTEN FOXCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (BEG 1/2024)
Officer
25$0$0
TIMOTHY D SANDSCHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
LAURA K IPSENVICE CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
JOSEPH E AOUNBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JEFFREY D ARMSTRONGBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
BRANDON BUSTEEDBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JOHN J DEGIOIABOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
WAYNE A I FREDERICKBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LISA GEVELBERBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
EARL F MARTY MARTINBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
BRIAN A NAPACKBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
RYAN OAKESBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JUDY D OLIANBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JAY A PERMANBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MADELINE PUMARIEGABOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
990 for the year ended September 30, 2023: 23 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
BRIAN K FITZGERALDCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Officer
40$324,199$33,890
BRUCE GARDNERVP OF MEMBERSHIP
Highest-paid employee
40$210,662$14,500
JENNIFER THORNTONVP OF PROGRAMS
Highest-paid employee
40$169,458$21,607
STACEY BROWNSR. DIRECTOR
Highest-paid employee
40$171,365$18,747
JANET CHENDIRECTOR
Highest-paid employee
40$137,629$14,576
FRANK J AVERYDIRECTOR
Highest-paid employee
40$130,833$16,227
BRIAN A NAPACKCHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
TIMOTHY D SANDSVICE CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
JOSEPH E AOUNBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JEFFREY D ARMSTRONGBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
BRANDON BUSTEEDBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JOHN J DEGIOIABOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
WAYNE A I FREDERICKBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LISA GEVELBERBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
DAVID HARRIS END JAN 23BOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LAURA K IPSENBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
EARL F MARTY MARTINBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
STEVE NORDLUND END NOV 22BOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
RYAN OAKESBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JUDY D OLIANBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JAY A PERMANBOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MADELINE PUMARIEGABOARD MEMBER
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MARY PAPAZIANPAST CHAIR
Trustee or director
1$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
1 DUPONT CIR NW STE 360, WASHINGTON, DC 20036-1130
In care of
% JEREMIAH L MURPHY
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
KRISTEN FOX, ONE DUPONT CIRCLE 360, WASHINGTON, DC 20036
Signed the 990
KRISTEN FOX, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Phone
(202) 367-1189
Return prepared by
RUBINO AND COMPANY CHARTERED

Mission

THE BUSINESS-HIGHER EDUCATION FORUM IS A NATIONAL NETWORK THAT CONNECTS CORPORATE AND COLLEGE LEADERS TO IDENTIFY AND BUILD THE TALENT SOLUTIONS THAT ADDRESS PRIORITY TALENT NEEDS FOR EMPLOYERS AND THE AMERICAN ECONOMY. CORPORATE EXECUTIVES AND UNIVERSITY LEADERS JOIN BHEF TO ANTICIPATE SKILLS NEEDS AND IMPROVE PATHWAYS BETWEEN HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE. BHEF HELPS MEMBERS AND STRATEGIC PARTNERS: IDENTIFY HIGH-VALUE EMERGING SKILLS, DEVELOP PATHWAYS THAT QUICKLY SOURCE HIGH-VALUE TALENT, AND LEAD ACTION-ORIENTED AND PARTNERSHIPS. OUR WORK FOCUSES ON THREE MAIN OUTCOMES:- ALIGN SKILLS AND CREDENTIALS: INCREASE THE NUMBER OF LEARNERS/ EARNERS COMPLETING WITH HIGH-VALUE SKILLS, CREDENTIALS ALIGNED TO EMPLOYER NEEDS AND TO EMPOWER A COMPETITIVE WORKFORCE- BUILD TALENT-READY MODELS: EXPAND ACCESS AND ADOPTION OF WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING MODELS THAT QUICKLY CONNECT AND PREPARE TALENT FOR EMERGING AND HIGH-DEMAND ROLES AND LAUNCH EARLY CAREER TALENT

990 for the year ended September 30, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • ONE OF BHEF'S NATIONAL INITIATIVES, THE FUTUREREADY STATES INITIATIVE IS SUPPORTED BY LUMINA FOUNDATION, ECMC FOUNDATION, AND THE TRELLIS FOUNDATION. BHEF SUPPORTS THREE STATES IN ACTIVATING CROSS-SECTOR, ACTION-ORIENTED STATE TEAMS TO ADVANCE SHORT-TERM CREDENTIAL ATTAINMENT, STRENGTHEN EDUCATION ALIGNMENT WITH INDUSTRY NEEDS, AND EXPAND ACCESS TO HIGH-VALUE PATHWAYS THAT SUPPORT ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND STATE WORKFORCE COMPETITIVENESS. BHEF PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STATE TEAMS TO REVIEW AND ASSESS CURRENT POLICIES, PRACTICES, AND INVESTMENTS; SET CLEAR, DATA-INFORMED ATTAINMENT GOALS; AND DEVELOP STRATEGIC ACTION PLANS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND IMPACT OF SHORT-TERM CREDENTIALS.
    Expenses $771,196 · grants $10,000
  • NETWORK MEMBERSHIP - BHEF INCURS EXPENSES RELATED TO THE BUSINESS OF DRIVING MEMBERSHIP NETWORK ACTIVITY, WHICH INVOLVES RECRUITMENT, ENGAGEMENT, COMMUNICATION, AND SERVICE DELIVERY. THIS IS ACHIEVED THROUGH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL CONVENINGS, COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND PROGRAMMATIC INITIATIVES AND COMMUNICATION TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIP AND BUILD TALENT SOLUTIONS WITH OUR BUSINESS AND EDUCATION PARTNERS.
    Expenses $541,505 · revenue $1,207,894
  • ONE OF BHEF'S REGIONAL TALENT INITIATIVES, TECH TALENT ACCELERATOR IS FUNDED BY CONNECTICUT'S OFFICE OF WORKFORCE STRATEGY. LED BY BHEF WITH SUPPORT FROM THE NEW ENGLAND BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION (NEBHE), THIS PROGRAM STRENGTHENS BUSINESS HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS TO DEVELOP AND SCALE AI-FOCUSED EDUCATION AND TRAINING PATHWAYS ALIGNED WITH EMPLOYER NEEDS. BHEF OVERSEES GRANTS TO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO EDUCATORS AND BUSINESS PARTNERS, A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE, AND EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO ENSURE PROGRAMS ARE INDUSTRY-VALIDATED, EXPAND AI-FOCUSED WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, AND CREATE PATHWAYS FOR CONNECTICUT'S INCUMBENT WORKERS AND STUDENTS TO ACCESS IN-DEMAND AI SKILLS AND CREDENTIALS.
    Expenses $82,986
  • NUMBER 4: FUNDED BY THE TRELLIS FOUNDATION, THE WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE -TEXAS (WPI-TEXAS) BOOSTS EMPLOYERCOMMUNITY COLLEGE PARTNERSHIPS IN TEXAS TO CO-DEVELOP INDUSTRY-ALIGNED TALENT PATHWAYS IN HIGH-DEMAND FIELDS. IMPLEMENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE AND THE TEXAS BUSINESS LEADERSHIP COUNCIL, WPITEXAS PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TOOLS TO STRENGTHEN INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY TO PARTNER WITH INDUSTRY, ADVANCE SHORT-TERM CREDENTIALS OF VALUE, EXPAND WORK-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, AND SCALE PARTNERSHIP MODELS THAT IMPROVE ACCESS TO TALENT AND WORKFORCE OUTCOMES.NUMBER 5: FUNDED BY ELLUCIAN OUR REPORT GATHERS INTELLIGENCE FROM EMPLOYERS TO IDENTIFY THE EMERGING SKILLS AND PARTNERSHIP MODELS THAT ARE NEEDED TO DRIVE CLOSER ALIGNMENT ACROSS CURRICULUM AND TALENT PIPELINES. RELEASED IN THE FORM OF A PUBLICLY AVAILABLE REPORT, "FORGING PARTNERSHIPS TO ALIGN EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY FOR THE WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW," THIS RESOURCE SHARES DATA INSIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE EXAMPLES TO ENABLE HIGHER EDUCATION PATHWAYS TO BE DEVELOPED TO BETTER ALIGN TO INDUSTRY NEEDS. NUMBER 6: FUNDED BY THE ECMC FOUNDATION, BHEF'S FACULTY INNOVATION FELLOWSHIP PREPARES FACULTY AS CHANGE AGENTS TO ADVANCE EMPLOYER-ALIGNED EDUCATION AND TALENT PATHWAYS TO STUDENT SUCCESS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES COHORT-BASED TRAINING IN CHANGE MANAGEMENT, LEADERSHIP, AND EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT TO SUPPORT THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF INDUSTRY-ALIGNED PROGRAMS. CAPSTONE PROJECTS FOCUS ON PROGRAM, COURSE, AND RESEARCH INNOVATIONS THAT STRENGTHEN ALIGNMENT WITH WORKFORCE NEEDS, BUILD INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY, AND IMPROVE STUDENT OUTCOMES.NUMBER 7: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FROM THE STRADA EDUCATION FOUNDATION ENABLED BHEF TO STRENGTHEN ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY, EXPAND ITS NATIONAL NETWORK, AND ADVANCE WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING (WIL) INITIATIVES. THE FUNDING SUPPORTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO HELP EMPLOYERS AND HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS SCALE HIGH-QUALITY WIL PROGRAMS, CONVENE CROSS-SECTOR LEADERS, AND INCREASE VISIBILITY AND ENGAGEMENT. THIS INVESTMENT STRENGTHENED BHEF'S ROLE AS AN INTERMEDIARY CONNECTING EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY AND EXPANDED ACCESS TO WORK-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT IMPROVE WORKFORCE OUTCOMES.NUMBER 8: BHEF PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO COMPUTING FOR ALL UNDER THE WASHINGTON JOBS INITIATIVE TO ADVANCE PATHWAYS INTO HIGH-DEMAND TECHNOLOGY CAREERS. BHEF SUPPORTS STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS IT WORKFORCE NEEDS, ENGAGES EMPLOYERS TO DEFINE SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES FOR ROLES IMPACTED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, AND FACILITATES COORDINATION ACROSS EDUCATION, INDUSTRY, AND WORKFORCE PARTNERSNUMBER 9. BHEF WAS THE FISCAL SPONSOR FOR THE NATIONAL PATHWAYS INSTITUTE CONVENING. THIS EVENT BROUGHT TOGETHER LEADERS FROM BUSINESS, EDUCATION, PHILANTHROPY AND GOVERNMENT TO CONVENE AND ADVANCE PROGRESS ON MATTERS CORE TO BHE'S MISSION: TRANSFORMING EDUCATION MODELS TO BETTER PREPARE ALL STUDENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL CAREERS IN OUR RAPIDLY EVOLVING ECONOMY AND KEEPING PACE WITH MODERN WORKFORCE DEMANDS.CONFERENCES: BHEF CONDUCTS SEMI-ANNUAL CONVENINGS TO CATALYZE DIALOGUE AND ACTION BETWEEN ITS CORPORATE AND ACADEMIC NETWORK AND FOUNDATION AND STRATEGIC PARTNERS ON ISSUES RELATED TO BUSINESS TALENT NEEDS, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND HIGHER EDUCATION INNOVATION TO MEET THESE NEEDS. POLICYMAKERS FROM STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS ARE OFTEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE DISCUSSIONS. ACADEMIC, BUSINESS, AND PHILANTHROPIC LEADERS AT THE CUTTING-EDGE OF TECHNOLOGIES AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING PARTICIPATE. MANY GIVE PRESENTATIONS ON SUCCESSFUL LOCAL EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS THAT MAY BE APPLICABLE ON A BROADER REGIONAL OR NATIONAL SCALE. BHEF ALSO HOSTS VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON CONVENINGS ON AI, WORK-BASED LEARNING AND OTHER TOPICS AT THE INTERSECTION OF BUSINESS AND HIGHER EDUCATION.

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025September 30, 2026February 16, 2027Not due yet
2024September 30, 2025February 17, 2026990 on file
2023September 30, 2024February 18, 2025990 on file

IRS record

EIN
34-1986692
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
2004
Accounting year ends
September
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Category (NTEE)
Education (B05)
Assets (IRS master file)
$1,611,925
Income (IRS master file)
$2,713,551

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990September 2025$2,713,551$2,553,364$1,611,925IRS
990September 2024$1,969,422$2,716,032$1,614,580XML
990September 2023$2,265,691$2,837,937$2,524,066XML
990September 2022$2,813,855$2,373,221$2,129,134IRS
990September 2021–––IRS
990September 2020–––IRS
990September 2019–––IRS
990September 2018–––IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 34-1986692).

Questions about BUSINESS-HIGHER EDUCATION FORUM

What is the EIN of BUSINESS-HIGHER EDUCATION FORUM?
The employer identification number (EIN) of BUSINESS-HIGHER EDUCATION FORUM is 34-1986692.
Is BUSINESS-HIGHER EDUCATION FORUM tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2004.
Are donations to BUSINESS-HIGHER EDUCATION FORUM tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does BUSINESS-HIGHER EDUCATION FORUM file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of BUSINESS-HIGHER EDUCATION FORUM due?
The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did BUSINESS-HIGHER EDUCATION FORUM last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.
Who is the principal officer of BUSINESS-HIGHER EDUCATION FORUM?
The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names KRISTEN FOX.
Who are the officers and directors of BUSINESS-HIGHER EDUCATION FORUM?
The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 20 people; 7 received compensation from the organization, the highest $305,938 (KRISTEN D FOX, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER).
How much revenue does BUSINESS-HIGHER EDUCATION FORUM have?
On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $2,713,551, expenses of $2,553,364 and total assets of $1,611,925 at year end.

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