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Simplify Every Step of Program Management from Launch to Closeout
FORWARD Direct is a modern program administration platform that lets you launch, manage, and scale programs with ease.
Clients supported by FORWARD
In program funding managed by FORWARD
Meet FORWARD Direct
A turnkey self-managed program administration platform designed for governments, nonprofits, and funders.
Launch New Programs Fast
Simplify Program Operations
Track Progress & Stay Compliant
Deliver a Better Applicant Experience
Meet FORWARD Direct
A turnkey program administration platform designed for governments, nonprofits, and funders.
Audit-Readiness for Compliance and Reporting
100%
Trusted by Leading Governments and Nonprofits Nationwide
See how New York State, Los Angeles County, St. Louis, Atlanta and 1,500 other governments and nonprofits are using FORWARD to
50%
Reduction in Manual Admin Work
3x
Faster Program Launch
No-Code Application Builder Easily create and launch digital intake forms
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Workflow Automation Reduce manual work with automated eligibility, review, and notifications
Integrated Communications Send emails, texts, and voice messages directly from the platform
Audit-Ready Reporting Tools Generate compliance reports for ARPA, HUD, or grant funders
Multi-Program Dashboard Easily create and launch digital intake forms
Try FORWARD Direct—No Commitment Required
Experience how easy it is to launch and manage programs with access to our sandbox environment—no credit card or setup required.
FAQs
- What is FORWARD Direct?
FORWARD Direct is a turnkey program administration platform built for governments, nonprofits, and funders. It simplifies every step of program delivery—from application intake to reporting—so teams can launch and manage public programs faster, with less manual work.
- Who is FORWARD Program Direct designed for?
FORWARD Direct is built for:
Local and state governments managing relief, housing, or economic development programs
Nonprofits and CBOs administering services or distributing funds
Philanthropic funders supporting or operating community-based initiatives
How fast can we launch a program using FORWARD?
Most customers can launch a program within 3–6 weeks, depending on complexity—3x faster than traditional timelines. Our no-code form builder and configurable workflows make it easy to get started without a lengthy IT process.
- Can we manage multiple programs at once?
Yes. FORWARD Direct is designed for multi-program oversight, allowing you to manage different initiatives, departments, or funding streams all in one centralized dashboard.
- Is FORWARD Direct secure and compliant?
Absolutely. We know trust is critical, especially when managing sensitive community data. FORWARD Program HQ is built with government and nonprofit compliance standards at its core.
Our Security Features:
- SOC 2 Type II – Independent certification of our data security, availability, and processing integrity
- HIPAA-Compliant – Protects sensitive health-related client data
- CCPA-Compliant – Meets California Consumer Privacy Act standards for data privacy
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Adds an extra layer of protection for all user logins
Your data—and your constituents’ data—is protected at every step.
- Can we customize workflows and forms to fit our needs?
Yes. Program HQ supports customizable intake forms, approval flows, notifications, and eligibility logic—no coding required. Pro and Enterprise tiers include even more advanced configuration options.
- What kind of reporting does FORWARD Direct support?
FORWARD Direct includes real-time dashboards, exportable reports, and compliance-ready templates. You can track disbursements, application statuses, demographic data, equity metrics, and more.
- Is it mobile-friendly and accessible for constituents?
Yes. Our applicant experience is designed to be mobile-first, multilingual, and ADA-compliant, helping you serve more people with fewer barriers.
- What kind of support do you provide?
Every FORWARD customer receives dedicated onboarding and ongoing support. We also provide documentation, training sessions, and access to a customer success team that understands government and nonprofit workflows.
- Can we try it before we buy?
Yes! We offer access to a sandbox environment so your team can test the platform before committing.
FORWARD security certification that protects our clients and their communities:
Let’s Make Program Delivery Easier—Together
Join governments and nonprofits across the country using FORWARD Direct to simplify service delivery and strengthen communities.