Forward Fund Pilot
About
The Forward Fund is a pilot program testing a flexible, investment informed grantmaking model that deploys capital to Detroit based organizations with speed, transparency, and long term sustainability.
It leverages returns from the foundation’s investment portfolio to explore a renewable funding approach, supporting early stage organizations, emerging initiatives, and community rooted work that may not fit traditional funding models.
Applicants complete a single, standardized form, with submissions evaluated on community alignment, feasibility, leadership, and potential impact. The process is designed to be accessible, consistent, and responsive while informing ongoing refinement of the model.
Grounded in reducing friction and increasing access to capital, the pilot operates on a rolling basis to help organizations access support when it is most needed and move ideas forward more quickly.