What Heartland Forward does

Heartland Forward is a nonpartisan, nonprofit "think-and-do tank" founded in 2018 and headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, with a secondary office in Oklahoma City. The organization operates across 20 central U.S. states organized around three impact areas: Regional Competitiveness (AI policy, broadband, economic resilience), Talent Pipeline (entrepreneurship, education, workforce development), and Health & Wellness (maternal health, health workforce, health policy). Its core products include the Community Growth Program + Toolkit (delivering the Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator, which supported 1,000+ builders from 2021–2025), the Center for Investment Readiness (with a stated '30 by 2030' community target), the Maternal & Child Health Center for Policy & Practice, rootEd Arkansas (career advising in rural high schools), the Nursing Pathways Program Southeast Missouri, and recurring convenings through the Heartland Health Caucus, Heartland AI Caucus, Heartland Summit, and Big Bets for America.

The underlying technology stack is modest and policy-oriented rather than product-engineered. Notable technical assets include the Entrepreneurial Capacity Index interactive comparator tool (state-level benchmarking of Main Street and knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship), the AI Sentiment Polling infrastructure built with partner Aaru (longitudinal waves across 20 states), and a Community Growth Program Impact Calculator. Distribution is anchored by digital channels (Pulse blog/newsletter, research publications, Spanish-language resources) and physical convenings (summits, caucus meetings, Demo Days).

Heartland Forward's revenue model is that of a grant- and partnership-funded nonprofit. Revenue streams span foundation grants (Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation's Rebuilding Better grant, BlackRock Foundation, Google.org), corporate partnerships (Microsoft TechSpark, The Rockefeller Foundation co-funding of Big Bets for America), and government collaborations (an MOU with the HHS Office on Women's Health). All programs, research outputs, and convenings are provided free of charge; there is no commercial product pricing. Customers are best understood as a hybrid of funders (foundations, corporates, federal agencies) and program beneficiaries (state and local governments, entrepreneurs, students, healthcare workforce participants, and communities). Headcount is reported as 11–50 employees. The organization has stated a mission target of generating $500 million of economic impact to the heartland by 2030.

Name

Heartland Forward

Legal name

Heartland Forward, Inc.

Website

https://heartlandforward.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Heartland Forward is a nonprofit "think-and-do tank" that combines applied research with community programs across 20 central U.S. states in regional competitiveness, talent pipeline, and health and wellness, serving policymakers, entrepreneurs, students, and communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Policy Research and Programs

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Social Advocacy Organizations (81331)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)

Keywords

• Economic policy research
• Workforce development programs
• Entrepreneurship support services
• Community development initiatives
• Maternal health policy

Headquarters

HQ city

Bentonville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants: Primary revenue from philanthropy and foundation grants including Rebuilding Better grants from Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation funding for Big Bets for America events, and BlackRock Foundation support for skilled trades workforce development.
2. Government Partnerships: Collaborations with federal agencies including HHS Office on Women's Health for maternal health initiatives through MOUs and the Perinatal Improvement Collaborative.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Strategic partnerships with corporations such as Microsoft TechSpark initiative for AI education and economic opportunities, and Google.org foundational funding for AI Caucus.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Heartland Forward operates a portfolio of applied research, policy convening, and community-driven programs across 20 central U.S. states to accelerate economic growth in the heartland. Its offerings include entrepreneurship accelerator programs (Community Growth Program + Toolkit, Center for Investment Readiness), talent pipeline programs (rootEd Arkansas, Skilled Workforce Initiative, Nursing Pathways), and health policy centers and caucuses (Maternal & Child Health Center, Heartland Health Caucus, Heartland AI Caucus). Programs, research, and resources are delivered free of charge to communities, policymakers, and stakeholders.

Product overview

Heartland Forward is a think-and-do tank that turns ideas into actions to accelerate economic growth in the heartland. The organization operates across three impact areas: Regional Competitiveness (AI policy, broadband expansion, economic resilience), Talent Pipeline (entrepreneurship programs, workforce development, education), and Health & Wellness (maternal health, health workforce, health policy). Key products include the Community Growth Program + Toolkit (delivering the Idea Accelerator), the Center for Investment Readiness (30 by 2030 initiative), the Maternal & Child Health Center for Policy & Practice, rootEd Arkansas career advising, and the Heartland AI Caucus. The organization also conducts research through tools like the Entrepreneurial Capacity Index and conducts AI sentiment polling. Programs are delivered through state caucuses (Heartland Health Caucus, Heartland AI Caucus), regional summits, and direct community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Heartland AI Caucus: A bipartisan group of state leaders committed to creating and accelerating smart AI policy and actionable outcomes to advance economic opportunity across the heartland.
• Center for Investment Readiness (CIR)
• Maternal & Child Health Center for Policy & Practice
• Heartland Health Caucus
• rootEd Arkansas
• Nursing Pathways Program
• Community Growth Program + Toolkit
• Connecting the Heartland

Products and services

• Community Growth Program + Toolkit (CGPT) A transformative approach to problem solving with an entrepreneurial mindset, creating value for communities and increasing access to capital and resources. Delivered the Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator to heartland communities through a public-private partnership with Heartland Forward.
• Center for Investment Readiness (CIR) A dedicated hub for research and strategic program development that provides customized data, entrepreneurial mapping, and programmatic solutions to micropolitan and small metropolitan communities to enhance investor confidence and support new and thriving businesses.
• Maternal & Child Health Center for Policy & Practice (MCH CPP) A center focused on combining research, innovative care models, policy leadership and on-the-ground action to improve maternal health outcomes throughout the heartland, with the goal of cutting U.S. maternal mortality in half within five years.
• Nursing Pathways Program Southeast Missouri Program providing skills, training and hands-on experience needed to start a nursing career in Southeast Missouri through fully funded trainings, certifications and paid apprenticeships. Partners include Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center, Three Rivers College, and Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.
• Heartland Health Caucus A forum bringing together top public policy decision makers across eight heartland states (Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee) to solve maternal health, mental health and workforce shortages through coordinated policy action.
• Heartland AI Caucus A bipartisan group of state legislators and executive officers focused on developing responsible AI policies while advancing AI-powered economic growth opportunities across the heartland.
• rootEd Arkansas A public-private partnership providing one-on-one support to ensure rural students graduate prepared for career success and economic stability. Places dedicated college and career advisors in rural high schools across 13 schools in Arkansas.
• Skilled Workforce Initiative Connects students, educators, employers and communities to create clear, local pathways from high school into skilled trades careers through hands-on exposure and direct connections to real jobs, including Demo Days.
• Heartland Summit Annual summit fostering dialogue on innovation and growth in the midwestern U.S., featuring the Secret Sauce community recognition program highlighting communities with successful place-based economic strategies.
• Connecting the Heartland An initiative supporting the high-speed internet workforce through a jobs board featuring more than 700 ISP jobs and 250 training programs across Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12.9% increase in students pursuing college and career training after rootEd Arkansas program implementation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026MOU between HHS (through Office on Women's Health) and Heartland Forward to advance maternal health outcomes. The partnership will expand the HHS Perinatal Improvement Collaborative (220+ hospitals) and leverage data systems to identify pregnancy-related risks and improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
• SunnylandsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Hosted 'Deep Roots, Strong Futures: Advancing Rural Youth Economic Mobility' convening with Sunnylands, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, educators and philanthropists to explore increased economic mobility for rural youth.
• Microsoft TechSparkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2025Heartland Forward announced partnership with Microsoft to expand AI education and economic opportunities in the central United States through the Microsoft TechSpark initiative. The collaboration includes appointment of a TechSpark fellow, support for regional AI readiness, and community engagement activities.
• The Rockefeller FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2025Co-hosting of 'Big Bets for America' catalytic convening series, with first event in Oklahoma City bringing together over 200 stakeholders. Rockefeller Foundation also launched second class of U.S. Big Bets Fellows and partnered on the AI Readiness Project through Center for Civic Futures.
• Ewing Marion Kauffman FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 July 2022Heartland Forward received a Rebuilding Better grant from the Kauffman Foundation to enhance entrepreneurship in mid-sized cities across the heartland. The grant supports development of resources for mayors and community leaders to reduce barriers for start-up entrepreneurs and funds a national idea accelerator program aimed at turning entrepreneurs' ideas into action.
• Builders + BackerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership to deliver the Idea Accelerator (90-day program and proven Onramp to Entrepreneurship) to the heartland, running from 2021-2025. The Community Growth Program + Toolkit (CGPT) led and supported heartland communities with a transformative approach to problem solving.
• rootEd AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit partnership placing dedicated career advisors in rural high schools. Public-private partnership between Heartland Forward, rootEd Alliance, and Arkansas Department of Education provides one-on-one support to ensure rural students graduate prepared for career success.
• AarucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPredictive modeling company that partners with Heartland Forward to commission polls measuring AI sentiment across 20 U.S. heartland states. Surveys conducted in June 2024 and April 2025 revealed near-doubling of interest in learning more about AI.
• AccentureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Accenture and Builders + Backers on the Community Growth Program and Toolkit (CGPT) using a new approach to problem solving with entrepreneurial mindset.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Milken Institute: Milken Institute is an independent economic think tank with programs on health, financial literacy, and regional economic development. Comparable to Heartland Forward's blend of research, convening, and community programs targeting regional competitiveness and health outcomes.
• Aspen Institute: Aspen Institute is a nonpartisan policy and leadership studies organization that combines research with action-oriented programs across workforce, education, and economic opportunity. Comparable as a think-and-do tank with similar programmatic and convening approaches.
• Brookings Institution: Brookings is a major public policy think tank whose Metropolitan Policy Program researches economic competitiveness and inclusive growth in U.S. regions. Comparable as a broader think tank producing applied economic policy research, though much larger and more nationally oriented than Heartland Forward.
• Jobs for the Future: Jobs for the Future (JFF) is a national nonprofit driving workforce and economic transformation through research, policy, and practice. Comparable to Heartland Forward's Talent Pipeline programs including skilled trades, nursing pathways, and entrepreneurship accelerators.
• Bipartisan Policy Center: Bipartisan Policy Center is a Washington-based nonprofit that develops bipartisan policy solutions across health, economy, and infrastructure. Comparable to Heartland Forward's bipartisan Heartland Health Caucus and Heartland AI Caucus convening models.

Regional players

• Appalachian Regional Commission: Appalachian Regional Commission is a federal-state economic development partnership focused on the 13-state Appalachian region. Comparable to Heartland Forward's Center for Investment Readiness and rural community programs targeting similar economically distressed geographies.
• Delta Regional Authority: Delta Regional Authority is a federal agency focused on economic development in the Mississippi Delta region. Comparable to Heartland Forward's work in mid-South states (Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri) on community investment readiness and workforce programs.

Emerging players

• Information Technology and Innovation Foundation: ITIF is a think tank focused on technology and innovation policy, including AI policy frameworks and economic competitiveness. Comparable to Heartland Forward's Heartland AI Caucus and AI sentiment polling research positioning it as a policy voice on emerging technology.

Direct peers

• Center on Rural Innovation: Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) is a nonprofit focused on helping rural communities build inclusive innovation economies through entrepreneurship, digital skills, and place-based investment strategies. Highly comparable to Heartland Forward's Center for Investment Readiness and rural-focused talent pipeline programs.
• Economic Innovation Group: Economic Innovation Group is a nonprofit research and policy organization focused on economic dynamism, entrepreneurship, and revitalizing left-behind communities. It is the closest direct peer to Heartland Forward's think-and-do-tank model for regional economic competitiveness and policy advocacy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/heartlandfwd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Heartland Forward