Program Overview The Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) partnered with FORWARD  to launch the Empower_u Fund, a groundbreaking NaCo award winning program that provides direct financial aid and wraparound services to survivors of domestic violence. LA County Empower_u Program administered by FORWARD won th 2025 NaCo Achievement Award From the start, Empower_u’s success was evident: demand in the first round far exceeded available funding, hig

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) sought to launch a state-wide housing stabilization program to support low-income immigrant and refugee households. Facing challenges in implementation and community engagement, DSHS turned to FORWARD for a comprehensive solution. This case study explores how FORWARD enabled DSHS and its grantees to increase operational capacity and administer innovative programming at scale. Challenges The Washington State

FORWARD’s innovative solution streamlined Multnomah County’s benefits application process, reducing complexity and increasing accessibility for residents. Learn more about how this comprehensive platform addresses common challenges while improving efficiency for both applicants and administrators. Challenges That Multnomah County Faced to Connect Residents to Resources Like many other jurisdictions, Multnomah County faced many obstacles while trying to provide accessible serv

The Los Angeles County Empower_u Program  is breaking new ground in providing direct relief to residents at risk of displacement. Partnering with community-based organizations like Project Peacemakers , the program connects vulnerable residents—including survivors of domestic violence—to critical financial resources and supportive services. In this webinar, you’ll hear firsthand how Empower_u and Project Peacemakers are transforming access to assistance for Angelenos, and wha

St. Louis, Missouri, home to 300,000 residents, including a 45% African American population and 24% low-income households, faces significant equity and economic challenges. Administering multiple initiatives such as rental assistance, Project R&R, and Guaranteed Basic Income stretched city resources and reduced efficiency. With FORWARD’s enterprise solution, the city streamlined operations, expanded access to services, and delivered programs more effectively. “FORWARD has wor

Harris County, Texas, with a population exceeding 4.7 million, faced significant economic challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among its small business community. To address these issues, Harris County launched the Harris Hub Small Business Support Accelerator Grant Program. This $6 million initiative was administered by FORWARD and provides customized technical assistance from Roads Consulting Group and  BakerRipley  and financial grants to small businesses w

Maria is a busy mother to a 6-year-old, a full-time worker, and a breast cancer survivor. With so much on her plate, managing childcare, health issues, and daily life, she needed a way to access support quickly and easily. That’s where the  Multnomah Common Application  came in, allowing her—and thousands of others—to apply for up to 20 different programs with just one application. “I’m a mother, I’m a PTA member, a community member, I work full time, I’m also a breast cancer

Local government leaders face an ongoing challenge: delivering essential programs with constrained budgets and limited staff. As community needs grow and funding remains tight, agencies must find innovative ways to enhance efficiency, optimize workforce resources, and modernize service delivery. The good news? With the right strategies, technology, and partnerships, government agencies can streamline operations, reduce administrative burdens, and maximize public impact. In t

Why Philanthropy Is Emerging as a Key Player in Disaster Relief When disaster strikes, communities by default look to the government for help. But as climate-fueled crises grow in scale and frequency across the U.S. (and globally)—from wildfires to floods to extreme heat—the reality in practice tells a different story. It’s not always government that deploys support first. It’s oftentimes philanthropy. Foundations and donor collaboratives are increasingly becoming the new fir

At FORWARD, we’re advancing innovation in public health because stronger, healthier communities can’t wait. That’s why we were honored to host a powerful conversation between Dr. Monica Soni , Chief Medical Officer at Covered California , and Aja Brown , former Mayor of Compton and Strategic Impact Partner at FORWARD, during our recent webinar, Healthcare Policy Innovation and the Power of Investment . Their discussion explored how Covered California is redefining what it mea

Across the country, cities are struggling to grow responsibly—without displacing the very residents who built their communities. In this episode of Beyond Bureaucracy, FORWARD’s Director of Client Services ,  Tahmina Martelly , sat down with Anita Allgood, VP of Single Family and Homeownership Services at Invest Atlanta  to discuss how the City of Atlanta is tackling this issue through the Anti-Displacement Tax Relief Fund Program. What Is the Anti-Displacement Tax Relief Fun

Rising property taxes and accelerated urban development are creating a housing crisis for long-standing residents in cities across the United States. For city and county leaders and nonprofit organizations focused on housing equity, the need for practical, scalable solutions is urgent. That’s exactly what the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta accomplished with their Anti-Displacement Tax Relief Fund Program —a city-led housing relief initiative designed to protect legacy hom