Big challenges call for big collaboration.
We are launching six efforts—called Initiatives—around the issues that move our Community most.
TODAY’S CHALLENGE
There is real demand for collaboration on shared social impact efforts—and not enough spaces to hold it.
Climate change, threats to democracy, economic inequality—these aren’t problems any one person or organization can solve alone. And yet, too often, social impact funders and changemakers find themselves duplicating effort, burning out, or missing the connections that could make their work go further. But finding the right values-aligned, action-oriented spaces can prove difficult.
Historically, Forward Global focused on equipping individual members with knowledge and tools for effective social impact funding. Today’s challenges require something more: collective action. We are uniquely prepared to facilitate these spaces given our decades of curation and community-building expertise.
Initiatives are our solution. When we act together—pooling knowledge, relationships, and resources—we can go further than any individual could on their own.
SIX INITIATIVES
Where our Community can make the most impact.
Each Initiative is an entry point into a deeply interconnected system. Together, they reflect what our global Community believes demands urgent, collective attention.
HOW IT WORKS
Living, evolving collectives—open to every member.
Initiatives aren’t a program you sign up for and complete. Each one is shaped by a group of Forward Global members and partners who bring deep experience. These living, evolving collectives are open to any member.
HOW MEMBERS ENGAGE
Follow your own path.
Activations are the building blocks of each Initiative—myriad activities that invite Community participation. They take many forms, including: Action Labs, Journeys, collaborative funding, campaigns, convenings, partnerships, and fiscal sponsorship. More activations will emerge as each Initiative takes shape, and we’ll share them as they do.
A REAL-TIME EFFORT
Come as you are.
We’re sharing this now because we want you to be part of shaping it—and there will be plenty of ways to stay connected as Initiatives grow.
Throughout the year, Forward Global will share updates on each Initiative: what members are learning, where opportunities are emerging, and how you can get involved. Expect to hear from us through Community calls, email updates, and posts on the Member Portal. We’ll also look for natural moments to go deeper together, including in the lead-up to our annual Global Summit.
This is still taking shape, and we’re building it alongside you. We’d love to hear which Initiatives resonate with you, and what we should consider for each one as we move forward.
Initiatives FAQ
The world’s challenges are too urgent and too complex to face in isolation. For those who try, it often leads to a sense of scarcity and overwhelm.
And yet, we still see the default approach of many funders (and some changemakers) to prioritize independence and control when it comes to decision-making.
Whether we blame human nature or cultural norms, we have a collective action problem.
At Forward Global, we think about collective action as collective mobilization towards a shared vision or goal, pooling resources (time, talent, treasure, ties) to help overcome scarcity and overwhelm. This goes beyond co-funding, and can include knowledge sharing, co-strategizing to avoid duplication, advocacy and introductions, and working together on convenings, thought leadership, etc.
This work is difficult, but not impossible. Those working against the values and causes we care about have been engaging in strategic, risk-tolerant collective action for some time, and we are now seeing the impact in the world. Communities like Forward Global have a responsibility (and an opportunity) to do more, by leaning into collective action.
A movement of aligned Forward Global members, acting collectively towards a shared vision.
Each Initiative is led by a small group of Forward Global members, and informed by trusted partners. These “member leads”:
- Frame the vision
- Map the ecosystem, identifying key challenges and opportunities to create an Issue Guide
- Set goals for the community, typically using a 15-year timeframe
- Lead “activations” to move towards these goals
Initiatives are not a program you start and complete, or a peer group you sign up for. They are impact and goal-driven collectives, inclusive of all members who are able to contribute.
In 2026, we are launching Initiatives around AI, Human Rights & Democracy, New Economy, Gender Justice, and Climate & Nature. In 2027, we will launch Mental Health.
These were chosen based on the level of member leadership in the Community, and the urgency of the issue.
We recognize that these issues are deeply interconnected. Each Initiative offers a different entry point to the same highly intersectional system, and we encourage sharing and collaboration between Initiatives wherever possible.
Each Initiative is led by a small group of Forward Global members, and informed by trusted partners.
Each “member lead” commits to offering support to other members looking to engage on the issue. For an overview of member leads, you can see the ecosystem mapping/Issue Guide for each Initiative, here.
Each Initiative provides a Landscape Map to guide members looking to contribute towards the 15-year vision. You can see some examples here.
Beyond this, Initiative leads can lead or support “activations,” which might include:
- Programming and convening (e.g., through Action Labs or other series)
- Collaboration around campaigns or projects
- Co-funding opportunities
These activations vary between Initiatives, based on the gaps and opportunities identified by the mapping.
- Collaboration: Initiatives are designed based on Jane Wei-Skillern’s four network principles for collaboration success, including “mission before organisation” and “constellations not stars.” Initiative leads are asked to share multiple possible engagement points, rather than advocating for a single organisation. All proposed activations are run through tests to avoid duplication in the system.
- Equity: Partners with expertise and lived experience are included throughout the process, including the landscape mapping and goal-setting.
- Purpose & Learning: In addition to the 15-year vision, Initiative leads set timebound goals and specific metrics, which are revisited quarterly.
- Transparency: Initiative leads share progress on goals in appropriate spaces and communications.
Forward Global is taking an entrepreneurial approach to launching Initiatives, and is open to feedback and support in ensuring alignment with core principles.
All members can request to contribute to a Landscape Map, and can lead aligned activations.
For anyone who would like to co-lead an Initiative, please reach out to sam@forward-global.org for more information.
Action Labs are not going away, but they will fall under Initiatives as one of the options for an Initiative’s “activations.” Meaning, Action Labs are one activity the Initiative leads could choose to run to engage members. Not every Initiative will have an Action Lab. What differentiates Initiatives and Action Labs is the ‘North Star’ or long-term goals set by the member leads for each Initiative, whereas Action Labs were not geared in any specific direction.
Initiative: A constellation of Forward Global members acting collectively towards a shared 15-year vision
Initiative Leads: A small group of Forward Global members who help lead the Initiative, agreeing on the vision, mapping and goals, and leading key activations. They are curated by staff
Activations: Umbrella term for all programs and other activities that engage the wider Forward Global community
Action Labs: A specific format of program (monthly Zoom sessions) that supports learning and knowledge exchange. They are open to the full community
Working Groups: An action-oriented session format within large convenings (e.g., Summit, European Gathering) that helps convene and mobilise members and partners behind a key Initiative
Landscape Map: A living document on who’s working on the issue, where the gaps are, and where our Community can make the biggest difference