History & Mission
Imagine resources being strategically deployed to solve our most pressing challenges—from climate change to social injustice. That’s what drives us. Knowing that collaboration leads to greater outcomes, we catalyze lasting impact through our unique environment where learning and action converge.
Who We Are
Forward Global is a member Community of 300+ wealth stewards who collectively deploy $1 billion annually toward a thriving, sustainable, more equitable world. A global platform to amplify proven models and best practices, we support leaders through curated learning, community and action, collectively addressing urgent issues including climate, democracy, AI, the new economy, social and gender justice, and mental health.
Grounded in our origins, the following principles guide our work and we hope they will become as familiar to all as they are to us:
- Philanthropy should focus on strategic, urgent change
- We challenge inequitable systems to advance social justice
- All resources must be leveraged, including time, talent, treasure, and networks
- Giving should be increased and unrestricted
- We address root causes, rather than just treating symptoms
- Working together achieves greater outcomes and unlocks joy
Our History
Forward Global was founded in 1995 as a project of the Rockefeller Foundation. Originally cohort- and module-based, “The Philanthropy Workshop” provided expert philanthropy tools and information to individuals and families whose needs were not being sufficiently met by financial advisors and other existing resources.
Our roots were in that period’s burgeoning strategic philanthropy movement. Many of those tenets—including evidence-based theories of change, focus on underlying systems rather than symptoms, and respect for the wisdom of affected communities—remain today.
Following our early years, we evolved and changed, merging with the London-based Institute for Philanthropy and adding ongoing, lifelong peer community offerings.
Our culture has always been rooted in trust and challenge. We are a safe space for those exploring this work while also continually asking hard questions of ourselves including, “What will we do with the power we hold?” The result is continuous learning and optimized impact. Exploration of role and responsibility remains core to our DNA.
In 2023, we launched our new brand, Forward Global, in order to more accurately reflect what we had become and where we are going. We continue to operate under the legal name “The Philanthropy Workshop” while building the Forward Global brand around the world.
