CALIFORNIA FORWARD

California Forward drives collective action to bring people together across communities, regions, and interests to identify triple-bottom-line (economy, environment, equity) solutions that can be taken to scale to meet the challenges the state is facing; improve government; and create inclusive, sustainable growth for everyone.

California Forward works closely with cross-sector partners throughout the state to improve economic, environmental, and equitable outcomes for the people of California. California Forward carries out this work through a core set of institutional assets that include the California Stewardship Network (a diverse alliance of regional leaders), the California Economic Summit and associated policy work groups (California Forward’s signature event fostering cross-sector collaboration and elevating state and regional policy initiatives), the Young Leaders Advisory Council (representing youth and young adult voices throughout the state), and the Becky Morgan Steward Leadership Program (a leadership development program for rising professionals). All residing under the umbrella of California Forward, these entities are focused throughout the year on creating a more inclusive and prosperous California for all. In addition, California Forward houses the California Dream Index, a data platform that tracks progress toward a more equitable California utilizing 10 indicators for economic mobility, security, and inclusion.

California Forward has extensive experience in areas such as engaging in collective action, building coalitions, hosting convenings, conducting research, and providing policy expertise and technical assistance—all of which contribute to moving the policy needle forward to create inclusive and sustainable impact within the state’s different regions.

We start with the evidence:
The data gathered by the California Dream Index serves as our “North Star,” allowing us to track economic mobility and keep ourselves and others accountable for progress.

We use a regional approach:
We center our work with partners across California’s diverse regions, with a focus on solutions that balance equity, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.

We build collaborative policy solutions:
Through the California Economic Summit and our work groups, we lift up policy agendas and recommendations that will
be advanced throughout the year. We share these recommendations in our annual Roadmap to Shared Prosperity.

We take action to advance policy:
We work with multi-sector partners across the state to advance these policy solutions aimed at giving more Californians the opportunity to thrive. When appropriate, we move policy recommendations forward through our sister advocacy organization, the CA FWD Action Fund.

California Forward, with support from our partners, networks and work groups, continues to advance collective action work that is moving the policy needle forward within interconnected issue areas ranging from homeownership expansion to climate resilience to workforce development.

Throughout the state’s different regions, California Forward also continues to collaborate with California Stewardship Network partners and other stakeholders to identify and elevate inclusive regional economic development priorities through strategic convenings and planning sessions, including those connected to the State's Community Economic Resilience Fund.

Other recent accomplishments include:

In 2022, CA FWD partnered with the Newsom Administration and former Los Angeles mayor and current California Infrastructure Advisor, Antonio Villaraigosa, on a statewide infrastructure project to ensure federal funding is maximized in communities and regions across California. Although the partnership is ongoing, it has already produced significant outcomes, including vital recommendations captured from the 30+ roundtables and 20+ thought leader listening sessions convened in 13 regions, on Zoom, and at the 2022 California Economic Summit, that will continue to inform statewide public policy and boots-on-the-ground efforts.

In 2021, CA FWD was selected by the State Treasurer’s Office to design the framework for the California Dream for All program (AB 140). This program addresses inequities in BIPOC homeownership and wealth accumulation.

The road ahead:

CA FWD is excited about the road ahead. From advancing inclusive, regional economic development plans
and investments across the state to advocating for the equitable distribution of federal infrastructure
funding to standing up a statewide advisory council of leaders to broaden access to pragmatic policy and
practice, CA FWD will continue to engage a very diverse group of state, regional and local stakeholders to
establish common ground and a productive way through California’s most difficult challenges.

We have a reputation for convening "middle tables" that bring divergent schools of thought and approaches closer together to spur collaboration, out-of-the-box thinking and common-sense solutions that position all of us who love this great state to organize with—instead of against—each other. When addressing the complex issues of the regions, the most transformative path forward has rarely been to the right or left; rather, it is often through the middle. CA FWD will continue to hold the space and extend an open invitation to local, regional and state
stakeholders curious and courageous enough to meet us in the middle where we can collectively move California forward.