Foster Forward

What Foster Forward does

Foster Forward is a Rhode Island-based nonprofit organization founded in 1995 that supports youth aging out of foster care and their families through an integrated suite of direct-service programs. Its core offerings include Your Way Home (housing paired with wraparound services), Works Wonders (career readiness and certification training such as CNA pathways), ASPIRE (financial literacy and matched savings), Real Connections (mentoring), and a Youth Drop-In Center providing basic needs, clinical, and peer support. The organization owns and develops affordable housing units in East Providence and Pawtucket, with nine units currently operational across three multifamily homes, expansion to eleven underway, and a 144-unit Center City Apartments development in partnership with ONE Neighborhood Builders, Crossroads Rhode Island, and Family Service of Rhode Island.

The organization's business model is a diversified nonprofit funding stack rather than a commercial revenue model: primary inflows include individual donations (Homefront Defenders monthly giving program, Holiday Gifts Campaign), special-event fundraising (401Gives statewide campaign where Foster Forward has been the top fundraiser statewide for five consecutive years, and an annual gala), federal and state grants (HUD Foster Youth to Independence vouchers, a $250,000 TD Charitable Foundation Housing for Everyone Grant, BlueAngel Community Health Grantee funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, and a $2 million federal appropriation secured via U.S. Senator Jack Reed for Center City Apartments), foundation grants (Rhode Island Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, LISC Rhode Island, Champlin Foundation), and corporate partnerships including in-kind support from Bob's Discount Furniture, Hasbro, and the New England Patriots Foundation. Services are provided at no cost to beneficiaries.

Foster Forward operates with a 21-person staff across its East Providence headquarters and Pawtucket site, led by Executive Director Lisa Guillette, who has led the organization for over 20 years and was named USA Today's 2025 Woman of the Year for Rhode Island. The organization is geographically concentrated in Rhode Island with no proprietary technology platform — its infrastructure relies on standard nonprofit tools (Squarespace website, SurveyMonkey for client feedback). Strategic direction is shaped by deep cross-sector relationships with state agencies (Rhode Island DCYF), federal elected officials (Senators Reed and Whitehouse, Representative Gabe Amo), major foundations, and corporate partners, alongside a self-reinforcing alumni pipeline in which former foster youth return as staff, mentors, and advocates.

Name

Foster Forward

Legal name

Foster Forward

Website

https://fosterforward.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Foster Forward is a Rhode Island nonprofit founded in 1995 that supports youth aging out of foster care through housing, career readiness (Works Wonders), financial literacy (ASPIRE), mentoring (Real Connections), and drop-in services, funded primarily by donations, foundation grants, and government contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Foster Care Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Housing & Social Housing Development/Modernization Programs (FSALAKAH)

Keywords

• Foster youth services
• Affordable housing programs
• Career readiness training
• Financial literacy matched savings
• Youth mentoring programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Primary revenue stream includes individual donations, monthly giving program (Homefront Defenders), annual gala (raised $425,000 in 2025, over $300,000 in 2024), Holiday Gifts Campaign, and 401Gives campaign (raised $338,569 in 2025, $234,090 in 2024).
2. Government Grants: Federal and state grants including HUD Foster Youth to Independence voucher program generating sustainable revenue for housing; $30,000 Rhode Island Foundation/Governor Overdose Task Force grant for overdose prevention; $250,000 TD Charitable Foundation Housing for Everyone Grant.
3. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island Grant: 2025 BlueAngel Community Health Grantee funding supporting housing expansion and health outcomes.
4. Program Service Fees: Revenue from programs including ASPIRE matched savings and Works Wonders career readiness services.
5. Corporate and Foundation Partnerships: Sponsorships and donations from corporate partners including Waterson Terminal Services, Eugene La Pietra, and in-kind donations from Bob's Discount Furniture and New England Patriots Foundation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Foster Forward provides an integrated suite of direct-service programs for youth aging out of Rhode Island's foster care system, centered on stable housing paired with wraparound supports. Core offerings include the ASPIRE financial literacy and matched savings program, Real Connections adult mentoring, Your Way Home affordable housing with wraparound services, Works Wonders career readiness and certification training, a Youth Drop-In Center for crisis/basic-needs support, and a Community Storefront distributing donated goods to foster families.

Product overview

Foster Forward operates as a nonprofit organization offering an integrated suite of programs designed to support youth and families impacted by foster care. The core offerings include housing services (Your Way Home), career readiness (Works Wonders), financial capability (ASPIRE), mentoring (Real Connections), and a Youth Drop-In Center. These programs work together to provide a continuum of support from housing stability to employment and independence, with housing typically paired with wraparound services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Works Wonders: Career readiness and job placement program for youth aging out of foster care
• ASPIRE
• Real Connections Mentoring
• Your Way Home
• Enterprising Connections
• YESS Program

Products and services

• ASPIRE

Quantifiable outcome

• 386 donors raised $338,569 in 2025 401Gives campaign, fifth consecutive year as top fundraiser statewide
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• One Neighborhood Builders (ONE|NB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 December 2025Lead development partner for Center City Apartments (144-unit affordable housing project) and Riverside Square (16-unit development with 3 units for foster youth). Collaborative partnership on transformative housing development in East Providence.
• Crossroads Rhode IslandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 December 2025Partner providing wraparound supportive services at Center City Apartments development alongside Family Service of Rhode Island and Foster Forward.
• Family Service of Rhode IslandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 December 2025Partner providing wraparound supportive services at Center City Apartments development alongside Crossroads Rhode Island and Foster Forward.
• Navigant Credit UnionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2025Project partner for Melrose II affordable housing development helping bring vision to life.
• NE Tiny HomesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2025Project partner for Melrose II affordable housing development.
• Housing Network of Rhode IslandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2025Project partner for Melrose II development.
• Lofgren Consulting Architect LLCminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 April 2025Designed creative, energy-efficient build for Melrose Avenue ADU project.
• Bob's Discount FurniturecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated and furnished apartments for youth moving into Riverside Square; allowed tenants to select their own furniture.
• New England Patriots FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated household items, cookware, cleaning supplies, pantry staples; players helped deliver donations on move-in day.
• U.S. Senator Sheldon WhitehousecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvocated for federal funding; attended Center City Apartments groundbreaking; supported federal appropriations.
• U.S. Representative Gabe AmocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAttended Center City Apartments groundbreaking; met with Lisa Guillette in Washington D.C. about Foster Forward's work.
• Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Annie E. Casey Foundation and DLT on Enterprising Connections pilot addressing inequities for BIPOC youth.
• U.S. House Ways & Means Subcommittee on Work & WelfarecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerInvited Lisa Guillette to testify at hearing titled 'Aging Out is Not a Plan: Reimagining Futures for Foster Youth' providing national platform.
• Rhode Island DCYFcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerState child welfare agency; collaborated on SSI Access bill, VICTIM Fund grant program, and services for youth aging out.
• Real Connections MentorscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity volunteers who become mentors and foster parents for youth in the program.
• Jack Reed (U.S. Senator)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerHelped secure $2 million federal appropriation for Center City Apartments.
• Ticket to DreamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered for Black History Month and haircare events for Black foster youth.
• Famous FootwearminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRound up campaign supporting foster youth during Black History Month.
• HasbrominorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated 10,330 toys for holiday distribution to foster families.
• AS220minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted fashion show and clothing drive where Works Wonders youth showcased talents.
• Foster SuccesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks Wonders replication partner; CEO Dr. Maggie Stevens testified alongside Lisa Guillette at Capitol Hill hearing.
• South Carolina DSScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to replicate Works Wonders program with South Carolina organizations for workforce development.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Foster Success: Indiana-based nonprofit serving foster youth aging out of care; co-developed Works Wonders replication model with Foster Forward and jointly testified at Capitol Hill, making it the closest programmatic peer.
• Crossroads Rhode Island: Largest Rhode Island homelessness services organization and direct Center City Apartments co-development partner; provides comparable wraparound housing and supportive services for unhoused populations, overlapping with Foster Forward's housing and Drop-In Center work.
• Family Service of Rhode Island: Rhode Island social services nonprofit partnering with Foster Forward on Center City Apartments wraparound services; provides comparable family, child welfare, and behavioral health services in the same geography.
• One Neighborhood Builders (ONE|NB): Lead affordable housing developer for Foster Forward's Center City Apartments and Riverside Square projects; comparable mission of expanding affordable housing in Rhode Island and structurally aligned through co-development.
• Ticket to Dream Foundation: National nonprofit providing essential items and support to foster youth; partners directly with Foster Forward (Black History Month events) and operates comparable programs serving the same target population nationally.
• National Foster Youth Institute: National advocacy organization led by current and former foster youth; comparable mission of empowering youth impacted by foster care through leadership development and policy change, with overlapping target population.

Broad incumbents

• Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative (Annie E. Casey Foundation): National initiative focused on opportunities for youth aging out of foster care; a core funder of Foster Forward's ASPIRE program and the field's leading national advocate, comparable in mission though operating through grantmaking rather than direct service.
• CASA (National CASA/GAL Association for Children): National organization advocating for and recruiting volunteers to support foster children; operates in the same foster care ecosystem with overlapping population but focuses on court advocacy rather than aging-out transition services.

Regional players

• Massachusetts Network of Foster Care Alumni: New England peer organization supporting foster care alumni with leadership development and advocacy; employs former Foster Forward youth (e.g., Tiffanie as Program Director) and serves an adjacent geography with similar mission.
• Treehouse (Washington State): Long-established nonprofit serving foster youth in Washington state with wraparound educational, housing, and material support services; comparable direct-service foster youth model though focused on a different regional market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fosterforward

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Foster Forward