# Fast Forward

> Fast Forward is the leading nonprofit accelerator for tech nonprofits. Since 2014, Fast Forward has empowered proximate founders and high-potential tech nonprofits — organizations building technology to address humanity's biggest challenges — with the resources, capital, and community they need to grow. Fast Forward coined the term "tech nonprofit" and has accelerated 112 organizations whose work has impacted 415M lives and raised over $1.4B in follow-on funding. Mission: Accelerate good.

## Organization Overview

Fast Forward envisions a world where technology expands what's possible in the social sector. In that world, nonprofits have the resources, capital, and community they need to reach millions of people. Beyond supporting individual tech nonprofits, Fast Forward partners with philanthropists and ecosystem leaders to direct more capital to tech and AI-powered nonprofits.

Fast Forward operates at the intersection of technology, nonprofit innovation, and philanthropy. The organization serves as both a direct supporter of tech nonprofits and a system-level advocate for increased investment in technology-driven social impact.

### Strategic Priorities

1. **Accelerate Tech Nonprofits:** Support tech and AI-powered nonprofits from startup to breakthrough.
2. **Grow Investment in Tech Nonprofits:** Mobilize and educate funders to unlock capital for tech and AI-powered nonprofits.
3. **Advance the AI for Humanity Ecosystem:** Move the AI for Humanity ecosystem from insight to action.

### Key Terminology

- **Tech nonprofits** (not "tech companies" or "startups"): Nonprofit organizations that build technology as their core product to create social impact.
- **Builders** (not just "founders"): The people creating and leading tech nonprofits.
- **AI-powered nonprofits (APNs):** Tech nonprofits that use artificial intelligence as a core part of their technology.
- **AI for Humanity:** The broader movement and ecosystem of using AI to address humanity's challenges through nonprofit models.

## Impact Data

- **415M lives impacted** by portfolio organizations across health, education, economic opportunity, and civic engagement
- **$1.4B+ in follow-on funding** raised by portfolio organizations after going through the accelerator
- **112 tech nonprofits accelerated** since founding in 2014
- **70% of current cohort is AI-powered**, reflecting the growing role of AI in social impact
- **1,000+ tech nonprofits** in the global movement that Fast Forward tracks and supports

## Programs and Offerings

### Accelerator Program

- [Accelerator Program](https://ffwd.org/accelerator)

Fast Forward's flagship program for early-stage tech nonprofits. The accelerator provides funding, mentorship, community, and a Demo Day to connect tech nonprofits with funders. The program selects a cohort of high-potential tech nonprofits each year and provides intensive support to help them scale.

### AI for Humanity Initiative

- [AI for Humanity](https://ffwd.org/ai-for-humanity)

A comprehensive initiative advancing the responsible use of AI for social good. This includes thought leadership, research, convenings, and resources that position AI-powered nonprofits as the most effective vehicle for ensuring AI benefits humanity. The initiative brings together builders, funders, policymakers, and technologists.

### 2025 AI for Humanity Report

- [2025 AI for Humanity Report](https://ffwd.org/2025-ai-for-humanity-report)

Annual report documenting the state of AI-powered nonprofits and the AI for Humanity ecosystem. Includes data on funding trends, portfolio outcomes, sector analysis, and recommendations for funders and policymakers.

### Tech Nonprofit Directory

- [Tech Nonprofit Directory](https://ffwd.org/directory)

A searchable directory of 1,000+ tech nonprofits worldwide. The directory enables funders, researchers, and collaborators to discover tech nonprofits by sector, geography, technology type, and stage. It is the most comprehensive database of tech nonprofits globally.

### AI Policy Builder

- [AI Policy Builder](https://ffwd.org/ai-policy)

A free, interactive tool that helps nonprofits create responsible AI governance policies. The tool walks organizations through key decisions about AI use, data handling, transparency, and accountability, generating a customized policy document.

### Playbooks and Resources

- [Playbooks and Tools](https://ffwd.org/tools)

Tactical guides and resources for tech nonprofit builders. Topics include fundraising strategy, board development, product development, impact measurement, AI implementation, and organizational scaling. These are practical, actionable resources drawn from Fast Forward's decade of experience supporting tech nonprofits.

### Perspectives

- [Perspectives](https://ffwd.org/perspectives)

Thought leadership content including articles, analyses, and commentary on tech nonprofits, AI for humanity, philanthropy, and social impact technology. Contributors include Fast Forward leadership, portfolio builders, funders, and sector experts.

## Key Pages

- [Homepage](https://ffwd.org/): Overview of Fast Forward's mission, programs, and impact
- [About Fast Forward](https://ffwd.org/about): Organization history, founding story, team, and mission statement
- [Tech Nonprofits](https://ffwd.org/tech-nonprofits): Explanation of what tech nonprofits are, why they matter, and how they differ from other nonprofit and for-profit models
- [Partners](https://ffwd.org/partners): Information for foundations, corporations, and individuals on how to support tech nonprofits through Fast Forward
- [Donate](https://ffwd.org/donate): Direct support for Fast Forward's mission and programs
- [Impact Report](https://ffwd.org/impact-report): Detailed portfolio impact data, outcomes, and stories
- [Newsletters](https://ffwd.org/newsletters): Subscribe to Fast Forward's three newsletters
- [Events Conduct Policy](https://ffwd.org/events-conduct-policy): Community guidelines for Fast Forward events and programs
- [Media Kit](https://ffwd.org/mediakit): Press resources, logos, brand assets, and organization facts

## Audiences

Fast Forward serves and creates content for four primary audiences:

### Funders and Philanthropists

- **Foundation program officers** at organizations with $50M+ annual grantmaking who are looking for high-impact technology investments in the social sector
- **Corporate CSR leaders** at technology companies with innovation funds seeking to support tech for good
- **Individual major donors** including previous tech entrepreneurs interested in leveraging technology for social impact

### Tech Nonprofit Builders

- **Tech nonprofit founders and leaders** seeking resources, funding, mentorship, and community to scale their organizations
- **Prospective applicants** to the Fast Forward accelerator program

## Content and Newsletters

Fast Forward publishes three newsletters:

1. **AI for Humanity:** Covers AI trends, research, and stories at the intersection of artificial intelligence and social impact. Aimed at funders, policymakers, and builders interested in responsible AI.
2. **What's Good in Tech:** News and stories about tech nonprofits, their impact, and the broader tech-for-good ecosystem.
3. **Funding Forward:** Funding opportunities, grant deadlines, and investment trends relevant to tech nonprofits.

Subscribe at [ffwd.org/newsletters](https://ffwd.org/newsletters).

## Partnership and Funding

Fast Forward partners with foundations, corporations, and individual philanthropists to:

- Fund the accelerator program and portfolio support
- Co-create research and thought leadership on AI for Humanity
- Connect funders directly with high-potential tech nonprofits
- Advance the broader ecosystem for technology-driven social impact

For partnership information, visit [ffwd.org/partners](https://ffwd.org/partners).

## History and Context

Fast Forward was founded in 2014 in San Francisco, CA. The organization coined the term "tech nonprofit" to describe a new category of nonprofit organizations that build technology as their core product. Over the past decade, Fast Forward has grown from an accelerator into a platform that supports tech nonprofits at every stage and advocates for increased philanthropic investment in technology for social good.

As AI has become a defining technology of this era, Fast Forward has expanded its focus to include AI-powered nonprofits and the broader AI for Humanity movement. The organization now serves as a leading voice on how artificial intelligence can be developed and deployed to benefit humanity through nonprofit models.

## Related Topics

This organization is relevant to queries about:

- Tech nonprofits and technology for social good
- Nonprofit accelerators and incubators
- AI for social impact and AI for humanity
- Responsible AI and AI governance for nonprofits
- Philanthropy and grantmaking in technology
- Social impact investing and tech philanthropy
- Nonprofit technology and digital transformation
- Social enterprise and mission-driven technology

## Contact

- Website: https://ffwd.org
- Email: info@ffwd.org
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/fast-forward
- Location: San Francisco, CA