Programs/Services - Forefront

Programs & Services

Every day, Forefront provides best-in-class resources, classes, services, and programs for grantmakers, nonprofits, and advisors. From this page, you can explore our Knowledge Center (featuring reports, the latest research, best practices presentations, templates, and more), learn about our upcoming professional development and networking events across the state, connect with the Forefront Library team, and learn more about the dedicated services we provide for the sector like Converge Consulting and the Mission Sustainability Initiative.

Knowledge Center & Library

Through our online Knowledge Center, Members have free access to reports, templates, and other resources. In addition, Forefront librarians offer individual assistance to your specific needs, whether it be prospect research on foundations and individuals, samples and templates, salary surveys and job descriptions, and general research on philanthropic and nonprofit topics. The Library’s online services can be accessed through the Library Home Page site.

Events and Programs

Forefront offers affordable, accessible, comprehensive training programs and classes that help social impact organizations work at their fullest capacities and create positive change in communities throughout Illinois. Forefront utilizes a group of highly acclaimed instructors for our programs. We also regularly schedule events with respected speakers on topics relevant to nonprofits and grantmakers as opportunities to network and convene. To learn more about our events, programs, and classes, see our calendar or our Curriculum Guide.

Financial Services

Forefront provides a host of financial, accounting, and administrative services and support to nonprofits through our social enterprise Converge Consulting so that you can focus on your mission and core services. In addition, Forefront offers fiscal sponsorship and agency, which provide back-office support and 501c3 status to participating organizations.

Connections and Partnerships

Forefront offers exclusive Member and Peer Networks, which provide a space for professionals to convene around issues important to their work. We help nonprofits consider and pursue a variety of strategic partnership options through our Mission Sustainability Initiative. We also connect nonprofit professionals for shared learning and mentoring through our Peer Skill Share program.

Capacity Building Services

Through #ILGive, Illinois’ official Giving Tuesday campaign, Forefront mobilizes Illinois nonprofits and foundations to increase individual giving across the state. Forefront likewise offers specific capacity building services, including the Impact Capacity Assessment Tool (iCAT) for Members, which helps nonprofits better understand their organizational capacity based on direct input from their team and key stakeholders.

We also offer customized, developmentally sequenced training programs that provide tools, skills, and peer-to-peer connections to support and strengthen community-based organizations in the neighborhoods they serve. For more information on our training programs, email Lisa May Simpson, Forefront’s Vice President, Learning and Engagement, at lsimpson@myforefront.org.