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Overview
Welcome to FORWARD Direct, your all-in-one platform to launch, manage, and measure community programs — without waiting on IT or vendor support.
Whether you’re a local government, foundation, or direct-service nonprofit, this portal gives you everything you need to:
Build applications and intake forms
Automate workflows and communications
Track impact through real-time dashboards
Maintain compliance and security from day one
This guide walks you through your first setup steps so you can start managing your programs confidently.
1. Log In and Explore Your Portal
How to log in
Go to your unique FORWARD Portal URL (provided in your welcome email).
Enter your organization email and password.
First-time users: click “Set Password” in your activation email.
Once logged in, you’ll land on your Portal Dashboard, which displays all your active and draft programs.
Pro Tip: Bookmark your portal link so your team can access it easily — each organization has its own secure environment.
2. Add Your Organization Details
Your portal reflects your organization’s identity and mission.
Navigate to Portal Settings → Organization Details to personalize it.
You can customize:
Portal Name – Appears in the top navigation and dashboard.
Welcome Message – Add a short, friendly message for your applicants.Example: “Welcome to the Community Resource Portal — apply for programs and services in one place.”
Website Link – Direct users back to your main organizational site.
This ensures applicants and staff know they’re in the right place from the start.
3. Upload Logos and Apply Branding
Make your portal feel like an extension of your organization.
Go to: Portal Settings → Logo & Images
Upload:
Large Logo: 300×80 px — used in the portal header.
Small Logo: 80×80 px — used on the login and signup pages.
Background Image: 1920×1080 px — adds personality to your login page.
Then choose your brand color palette under Branding:
Primary (buttons and highlights)
Primary Light / Dark (accents)
Background and Text (contrast for accessibility)
Accessibility Tip: Choose colors with high contrast to meet ADA standards and improve readability on mobile.
4. Add Team Members and Assign Roles
Collaboration is central to FORWARD.
Under Portal Settings → Team, invite your staff and assign them the right permissions.
Common roles include:
Role | What They Do |
Portal Admin | Oversees the entire portal, branding, and user management. |
Process Admin | Builds programs, manages workflows, and launches forms. |
Review Specialist / QA Specialist | Reviews and approves applications. |
Finance Role | Manages payment schedules and financial reports. |
Customer Success | Communicates with applicants and provides support. |
You can add or remove team members anytime.
Security Reminder: Use work email addresses and enable two-factor authentication for all admin users.
5. Create Your First Program
You’re now ready to build your first program.
Go to: Programs → New
Enter:
Program Name (e.g., “Small Business Recovery Fund”)
Program Description – Appears on your applicant dashboard.
Program Template – Choose from:
Individual / Household Program
Business Program
Case Management
Case Management with Referrals
3rd Party (redirect to an external site)
Click Save to enter Draft mode — you can now edit the form, workflow, and notifications before launching.
6. Explore Key Tabs
Tab | What You’ll Find |
Programs | View all programs and their statuses (Draft, Test, Active, Complete). |
Applications | Track and manage incoming applications. |
Dashboard | Visualize your program data in real time. |
Reports | Export data for compliance or funder reporting. |
Notifications | Automate applicant messages by email, SMS, or voice. |
Each tab is permission-based, so staff only see what they’re authorized to manage.
7. Next Steps: Go Live
Once your form is built and tested:
Review all workflows under Workflow Editor.
Send yourself a test application to confirm eligibility logic and notifications.
When ready, change the program status from Draft → Active.
Your program is now live — applicants can apply through your portal, and your team can track submissions in real time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who should be the Portal Admin?
The person responsible for overall program setup and portal configuration — often your IT or operations lead.
Q: Can multiple people edit a program at the same time?
Yes. FORWARD supports role-based access, allowing multiple staff to collaborate safely.
Q: How long does setup take?
Most users configure their portal and launch a first test program within one business day.
Related Articles
Creating a New Program
Adding Custom Fields to Your Form
Setting Up Notifications and Alerts
Introduction to FORWARD Dashboards