The Forward Fund Opens Doors to Credentials and Careers

For adults pursuing a new career, the cost of getting there can extend well beyond tuition. Keeping up with everyday expenses while completing training can put a better-paying job out of reach.

The Forward Fund, recognized by myFutureNC as a 2026 Champion for Attainment, is helping address that challenge through zero-interest, outcomes-based loans that expand access to short-term, high-demand workforce credentials.

A recent Greater Wilmington Business Journal feature highlights the Wilmington-based nonprofit’s growing reach. According to the article, The Forward Fund has financed nearly $3 million in loans for almost 300 students, with its loan fund now exceeding $8.5 million. A $1 million award from the Golden LEAF Foundation will support an additional 100 students.

Behind those numbers are people pursuing new opportunities. The article shares the experience of John Thomason, who used a loan to help cover his mortgage and other expenses while training to become an electrical lineworker.

The fund’s approach also looks beyond enrollment. Its pay-it-forward model reinvests borrowers’ repayments to help future learners access training, extending the impact of each investment. myFutureNC’s Champion recognition highlights this sustainable approach to reducing financial barriers and meeting workforce needs.

That work supports North Carolina’s goal of ensuring 2 million adults ages 25–44 hold an industry-valued credential or postsecondary degree by 2030. Reaching that goal requires making education and training achievable for adults who must balance learning with work and family responsibilities.

By helping learners afford the path to a credential, The Forward Fund addresses a practical barrier to attainment while connecting education to career opportunity. Its continued growth illustrates why myFutureNC recognizes Champions for Attainment: local and regional solutions can open doors for individuals while helping build the skilled workforce North Carolina needs.

Read the full Greater Wilmington Business Journal article.