Forefront Membership provides you with the resources and services you need to meet your mission today, and deepen your impact in the future. On this page, you will have easy access to all facets of Forefront’s support, including:
Forefront is committed to supporting the Illinois social impact sector. View our resources page to access webinars, reports, and other assets to help you make the right choices for you and the sector at large.
Our Library provides hands-on support to Members, sharing reports, templates, articles, and tailored prospect research on foundations and individuals, grant applications, budgets, and other aspects of the grantseeking/grantmaking process. Visit the Library Homepage or email [email protected] for more information.
Forefront is the only statewide organization represents the interests of foundations and operating nonprofits of all types in Illinois at all levels of government. Our policy staff routinely provides our community with the most up-to-date information about proposals that align with our policy position statements. While all stakeholders may sign up for policy action alerts, certain benefits are reserved for members, such as participation in focus groups, invitations to participate in certain meetings and briefings, and policy event discounts.
The Impact Capacity Assessment Tool (iCAT) helps nonprofits better understand their organizational capacity based on direct input from those who know the organization best – their team and key stakeholders. Learn more about how to access this free benefit for Operating Nonprofit Members here.
Forefront has partnered with Foundation Center to bring top-line data about the philanthropy landscape to regional foundations, nonprofits, policymakers, and media with Illinois Foundation Stats.
This public-facing interactive dashboard represents the latest available data from Illinois foundations and the IRS and offers insights into:
Open to all Forefront Members, Peer Skill Share is your opportunity to connect with your colleagues from across the state to share your skills and learn from peers. All you’ll need to do is access our portal through the Forefront website, fill out what you can share with, or want to learn from, a peer, and our team will connect you for a one-on-one skill-sharing session.
Our Members-only job board connects you with professional opportunities throughout Illinois. Our job board shares opportunities from Forefront Member organizations and is available to the public. Organizations that are hiring and would like to have their job openings posted on myforefront.org must be current members of Forefront. Log in to submit a new opportunity from your organization.
As part of Forefront’s statewide community of nonprofits, Members have access to our Member and Peer Networks. Networks are a great way to learn and network with colleagues. Groups sponsor lively discussions, develop educational programs, and create collaborative efforts to address relevant issues.
Forefront’s Mission Sustainability Initiative (MSI), provides confidential, friendly, and effective advice and resources to nonprofits looking to strengthen their organization through strategic partnerships. The MSI refers organizations to pro bono legal assistance and paid consultants specializing in nonprofit strategic partnerships, and also offers a repository of toolkits, research, and best practices, along with educational events. After consultation from MSI’s staff, organizations may be able to apply for grant funding to help them solidify a partnership or get a joint project off the ground.
If you have any questions about the Mission Sustainability Initiative, please contact the MSI Director at [email protected].
The Back Office Cooperative (BOC), a Chicago-based nonprofit, aims to improve nonprofit performance by increasing buying power for the nonprofit community, delivering expert expense management services, and technology services. Forefront Members receive a free BOC Office Supply/Janitorial Supply Membership for organizations with less than a $5 million operating budget and free consultation on expense management for any size Operating Nonprofit Member. BOC will provide this same service to Grantmaker Members’ grantees and Advisor Members’ clients (regardless of Member status). To find out more and set up an account, email [email protected].
Sterling Volunteers is an online background check platform that uses proprietary technologies and unique criminal locators to deliver high-quality and accurate background checks. Sterling Volunteers is backed by the nation’s largest background screening company, SterlingBackcheck. There is no cost to join the platform, and we have arranged a per-check price discount for our Members. For more information, visit www.sterlingvolunteers.com, or watch this webinar.
Forefront Members get 20% off nonprofit workshops and webinars hosted by The Axelson Center. Learn about upcoming programs on the Axelson website. When registering for an Axelson workshop or webinar, use the field provided to indicate you are a Member of Forefront.