Deadline Date: September 08, 2025

 Donor Name: Fast Forward

Grant Size: $10,000 to $100,000

https://www.ffwd.org/accelerator

Are you a tech nonprofit founder on a mission to change the world? Fast Forward is seeking applications for its accelerator to connect you with the capital, network, and community you need to scale your impact — both during the program and beyond.

The Accelerator is Fast Forward’s longest-standing program for early-stage tech nonprofits. Through the program, tech nonprofits get a $25K philanthropic grant, mentorship, community, and so much more. It bridges the gap between the tech and nonprofit sectors, providing training tailored to the challenges tech nonprofit entrepreneurs face.

What makes the Fast Forward Accelerator special?

• Fast Forward’s Accelerator focuses on the unique needs of tech nonprofits:
  • Capital: They help you navigate the distinct fundraising landscape for tech nonprofits. And they provide you with $25K+ seed capital to get your tech nonprofit off the ground.
  • Content: Their curriculum hits both the tech and nonprofit side of things. On the nonprofit end, participants will learn about things like board development, impact measurement, and volunteer management. On the tech side, they go deep on topics like product, GTM, and strategies for scaling.
  • Cohort: Tech nonprofit founders face unique challenges. The Accelerator offers a community of peers who understand those challenges, both within each cohort and across their larger portfolio.

Where does the Accelerator take place?

• It’s hybrid. There’s an in-person kickoff in February in San Francisco and in-person and virtual Demo Days in May and/or June. Most programming is virtual, and Fast Forward provides additional travel support for teams based outside the Bay Area.It’s hybrid. There’s an in-person kickoff in February in San Francisco and in-person and virtual Demo Days in May and/or June. Most programming is virtual, and Fast Forward provides additional travel support for teams based outside the Bay Area.

Who can apply?

• I’m not in San Francisco?
  • Yes. Their program is global, and they prioritize having geographic diversity in each cohort. However, you must attend in-person events at the end of February and late spring/early summer. Fast Forward provides flight and lodging stipends to help facilitate this participation.
• My organization isn’t formally registered as a nonprofit yet?
  • Yes. They can help with the incorporation process.
• My organization is based outside the U.S. without a 501(c)(3)?
  • Yes. As long as you’re registered as a nonprofit in your country.
• I have an idea, but no MVP yet?
  • Their Accelerator requires an MVP to apply, so if you’re still in the idea or research phase, check out their playbooks for tech nonprofits. It’s packed with insights from top social impact leaders to help you move from idea to action. And for ongoing support, subscribe to Funding Forward — their weekly email with resources, tips, and funding opportunities for tech nonprofits.
• My team outsources software development?
  • They prefer teams with in-house tech leadership or plans to hire a CTO soon, but they know that this cost isn’t always feasible for startups. As long as your software is central to your impact, they encourage you to apply.
• I’m not a founder but lead the organization?
  • Yes. If you’re the current leader, you can apply.

Selection Criteria

• Their application review process is holistic, assessing all facets of an organization. Their only hard requirement is that you are an early-stage tech nonprofit with at least a minimal viable product (MVP) built. Here are the criteria they look at when evaluating a tech nonprofit’s fit for their program.
  • Leadership: Visionary leaders who can navigate both the tech and nonprofit worlds.
  • Tech Talent: Mission-driven tech talent in leadership roles or solid plans to bring it on board.
  • Impact Potential: The scale and depth of the organization’s potential impact.
  • Scalability: Software-based solutions with high growth potential.
  • Lived Experience: They believe leaders who have personally experienced a problem are best equipped to solve it.
  • Alignment: Organizations where they know their investment can make a difference.

For more information, visit Fast Forward.