<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[FORWARD]]></title><description><![CDATA[FORWARD]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:21:54 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.forwardplatform.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Why One Front Door Matters for Nonprofit Stability]]></title><description><![CDATA[A One Front Door model is an operational approach in which clients access all of an organization’s programs through a single, coordinated entry point, rather than navigating separate intake processes for each program.]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/why-one-front-door-matters-for-nonprofit-stability</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c579cc653657f03d6038f8</guid><pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 18:39:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/763ba1_7d79aa320cd34866afe9f73d7bfa0236~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>FORWARD Platform</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[HR1 in Plain Language: What State, County and City Leaders Need to Know Now]]></title><description><![CDATA[The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) was signed into law on July 4, 2025. Since then, federal agencies have been issuing implementation guidance in waves, state legislatures are convening emergency sessions to address budget exposure, and county administrators are quietly trying to figure out what it all means for their teams and the residents they serve.]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/hr1-in-plain-language-what-state-county-and-city-leaders-need-to-know-now</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69bb2c9ec384c212cc977e7e</guid><pubDate>Thu, 19 Mar 2026 05:59:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/763ba1_e5c7dc4ae76544808125a2673b00ce5c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>FORWARD Platform</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Government Efficiency in 2026: HR1’s Impact on City &#38; County Program Operations]]></title><description><![CDATA[HR1 increases SNAP administrative cost share, Medicaid work requirements, and six-month redeterminations. Learn how HR1 reshapes city and county operations in 2026—and what leaders should do now.]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/government-efficiency-in-2026-hr1-s-impact-on-city-county-program-operations</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a108809d34acb7c43315f6</guid><pubDate>Fri, 27 Feb 2026 03:13:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/763ba1_a171b26159a348949a8d44ba45928ef1~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>FORWARD Platform</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Operational Reliability Will Define Nonprofit Success in 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[In 2026, nonprofit performance will be determined less by strategy and more by operational reliability. Organizations that protect their mission-critical functions—intake, eligibility, service delivery, reporting, and client communications—will sustain services and funding. Those that do not will experience backlogs, audit risk, and staff burnout.
]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/why-operational-reliability-will-define-nonprofit-success-in-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69786c146e1e6fddb81b2891</guid><pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:00:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/763ba1_c74b91c2bc664d08a4c7ed1e133fea6d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>FORWARD Platform</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[2025 Year-End Impact Report: How Governments and Nonprofits Delivered Programs When It Mattered Most]]></title><description><![CDATA[A 2025 year-end impact report examining how governments and nonprofits delivered relief, housing, and equity programs with speed, trust, and accountability.
]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/2025-year-end-impact-report</link><guid isPermaLink="false">696816810d9b34c9e292ca23</guid><pubDate>Wed, 14 Jan 2026 22:57:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/763ba1_383aafce6e484221bfbf252ce46919b3~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>FORWARD Platform</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Modern Program Administration: Key Considerations for 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[Modern program administration in 2026 is about delivering public and nonprofit programs that are faster to launch, easier to access, compliant by design, and transparent in outcomes—despite tighter budgets and rising accountability demands.
]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/modern-program-administration-key-considerations-for-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">694478bd9a41d93da04f0959</guid><pubDate>Thu, 18 Dec 2025 22:06:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/763ba1_8fce19607f234c7ebe95d733a40d3527~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>FORWARD Platform</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Top 10 Operational Bottlenecks Nonprofits Face (and How to Fix Them)]]></title><description><![CDATA[The most common operational bottlenecks nonprofits face include manual intake, fragmented data, slow eligibility reviews, reporting fire drills, and staff burnout. These issues can be addressed through clearer workflows, centralized systems, automation of routine tasks, and better use of data to support decision-making and accountability.]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/top-10-operational-bottlenecks-nonprofits-face-and-how-to-fix-them</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69434223af6ab01fbdcf7c4f</guid><pubDate>Wed, 17 Dec 2025 23:56:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/763ba1_f9689f4b649e4696be9fa1b773fc136d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>FORWARD Platform</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How the City of Long Beach Expanded Pathways to Homeownership for First-Generation Buyers]]></title><description><![CDATA[The City of Long Beach, CA partnered with FORWARD to design and administer a streamlined First-Time Homebuyer Program that helped 76 low- and moderate-income households purchase their first home. ]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/how-the-city-of-long-beach-expanded-pathways-to-homeownership-for-first-generation-buyers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">694196877aecebf9ca3d70ac</guid><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2025 18:56:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/763ba1_01e21e69583f49c09af84acad7b233db~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>FORWARD Platform</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Building Nonprofit Capacity in a Time of High Demand and Funding Uncertainty]]></title><description><![CDATA[Nonprofits today face rising community needs, shifting funding landscapes, and increasing pressure on already stretched teams. In our Built to Serve webinar, Jody Immink explored these challenges, introduced the Operational Readiness Framework, and shared practical strategies to reduce strain, strengthen programs, and build long-term organizational resilience.]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/building-nonprofit-capacity-in-a-time-of-high-demand-and-funding-uncertainty</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6939f92b0fdf13d108103310</guid><pubDate>Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:01:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/763ba1_d6ae167db18d4b1c83211d49f4f3d396~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>FORWARD Platform</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Practical Framework for Launching Community Programs in Weeks, Not Months]]></title><description><![CDATA[Learn a practical framework governments and nonprofits use to launch community programs in weeks. Covers intake, eligibility, compliance, reporting, and real examples from agencies nationwide.]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/a-practical-framework-for-launching-community-programs-in-weeks-not-months</link><guid isPermaLink="false">691f4ad24a1b574676f2e537</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Nov 2025 18:17:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/763ba1_15701ea4292d4957b5401ddee3399bbb~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>FORWARD Platform</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[20 Proven Metrics That Strengthen Funder Confidence]]></title><description><![CDATA[A replicable model for school foundations and nonprofits supporting families in crisis]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/20-proven-metrics-that-strengthen-funder-confidence</link><guid isPermaLink="false">690c367c96a2942ab27abd3b</guid><pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2025 06:02:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/763ba1_4ffeb92f2b244c739852a1e0fbc421f2~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>FORWARD Platform</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How LAUSD Education Foundation Launched a $2M Emergency Aid Program in less than 14 Days]]></title><description><![CDATA[A replicable model for school foundations and nonprofits supporting families in crisis]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/how-lausd-education-foundation-launched-a-2m-emergency-aid-program-in-less-than-14-days</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6908f9b41d235de5043677e7</guid><pubDate>Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:51:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/763ba1_a6860f5a2e154a479e7286b3a7feaad6~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>FORWARD Platform</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Smarter Nonprofit Reporting: How to Strengthen Funder Confidence and Simplify Impact Measurement]]></title><description><![CDATA[How nonprofit leaders can simplify reporting, build trust, and prove impact without overwhelming their teams.]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/smarter-nonprofit-reporting</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6903c198bb9a5281a8a61759</guid><pubDate>Thu, 30 Oct 2025 21:29:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/763ba1_f55c62d72ae54f30b121576dbb2b6101~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>FORWARD Platform</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Newsweek: A New Blueprint for Disaster Relief—Human-Centered, Tech-Enabled, and Community-Led | Opinion]]></title><description><![CDATA[PUBLISHED Jul 02, 2025 at 07:45 AM EDT See Original Article Six months after the Eaton Wildfires ravaged Los Angeles County (Altadena and Palisades), many families are still navigating systems and deliberating on whether or how to rebuild. As the 2025 hurricane season begins, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns it may be one of the most active in decades, a stark reminder that communities must prepare even as they recover. Amid these escalating threats, there's...]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/a-new-blueprint-for-disaster-relief-human-centered-tech-enabled-and-community-led-opinion</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68f6d410a6f2484f3c9d01b5</guid><pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 00:33:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/03b197_e8f4fcd5c69d41cdacee5361a6b2f2c3~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Destini Clark</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Streamline Eligibility Determination for Faster, Fairer, and More Accurate Program Delivery]]></title><description><![CDATA[Learn how governments and nonprofits can simplify eligibility determination to reduce staff burden, accelerate program delivery, and improve accuracy and accountability.
]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/how-to-streamline-eligibility-determination-for-faster-fairer-and-more-accurate-program-delivery</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68e4b10d93c7286ce1c4f591</guid><pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2025 06:24:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/763ba1_5e9ba0adc8cc4ef09874260aecf84140~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>FORWARD Platform</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Optimize Forms to Increase Access and Equity in Public Programs]]></title><description><![CDATA[Learn how governments and nonprofits can design inclusive, multilingual, mobile-friendly forms that improve access, reduce staff burden, and build trust with communities.
]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/how-to-optimize-forms-to-increase-access-and-equity-in-public-programs</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68e4aa703af439b9bda4eb2d</guid><pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2025 05:54:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/763ba1_c5a3ee8e43654ecdb72dfaca309caa5d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>FORWARD Platform</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Optimize Forms, Data, and Eligibility]]></title><description><![CDATA[How governments and nonprofits can optimize forms, data, and eligibility to deliver programs faster, more equitably, and with full accountability. When public agencies and nonprofits manage critical community programs, the stakes are high. Families rely on timely aid, funders expect transparency, and staff often face overwhelming administrative tasks. That’s why we hosted our recent webinar, Deliver Programs Faster and Fairer: How to Optimize Forms, Data, and Eligibility.  The session shared...]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/webinar-how-to-optimize-forms-data-and-eligibility</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68dc412cfc357fbe9017996b</guid><pubDate>Tue, 30 Sep 2025 20:44:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/763ba1_863fa46c94884615a21b6cf4ad47cfcb~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>FORWARD Platform</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Building Community Trust and Delivering $7M in Support to Survivors of Domestic Violence with Los Angeles County]]></title><description><![CDATA[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, highlighting the...]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/building-community-trust-and-delivering-7m-in-support-to-survivors-of-domestic-violence-with-los-an</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68a659628efa79f18afb8e93</guid><pubDate>Wed, 20 Aug 2025 23:29:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/763ba1_2bab815bdff44bb4afd271c18b2bf550~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>FORWARD Platform</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Standardized Grantee Reporting with FORWARD]]></title><description><![CDATA[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 Department of...]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/how-washington-state-department-of-social-and-health-services-standardized-grantee-reporting-with-fo</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68a6578ce3204b05137155fa</guid><pubDate>Wed, 20 Aug 2025 23:21:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/763ba1_f1a2601219a844e8882ce08e6275536c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>FORWARD Platform</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Multnomah County Simplified Online Application for Benefits by 80% With FORWARD]]></title><description><![CDATA[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 services to its...]]></description><link>https://www.forwardplatform.com/post/how-multnomah-county-simplified-online-application-for-benefits-by-80-with-forward</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68a655f3e258c875dfd62081</guid><pubDate>Wed, 20 Aug 2025 23:17:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/763ba1_f3b91d38c7a04f688418d11e03baac26~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>FORWARD Platform</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>