What Live Forward does

Live Forward is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Athens, Georgia, that provides integrated housing, HIV/AIDS prevention, and supportive services to individuals and families across 26 counties in Georgia's Northeast Health District (District 10). The organization was founded in 1987 as AIDS Athens, rebranded twice (to AIDS Coalition of Northeast Georgia in 1995, back to AIDS Athens in 2004), and adopted its current name in 2016 to emphasize a Housing First, harm-reduction philosophy that prioritizes stable housing as the foundation for improved health outcomes.

The organization's core service portfolio combines federally funded housing programs — including Supportive Housing, Shelter Plus Care, Permanent Supportive Housing, and HOPWA sub-programs (Short Term Rent/Mortgage/Utility Assistance, Tenant Based Rental Assistance, Permanent Housing Placement, Facility Based Housing) — with health and prevention services such as HIV Outreach and Prevention, Free HIV Testing, PrEP Clinic Referral, and Case Management. Supporting services include transportation assistance, food pantry, counseling, support groups (including virtual options), training workshops, and community education. Technology is supplied through in-kind partnerships: local IT firms have donated thousands of hours to build HIPAA-compliant client tracking systems, a local software company built a custom case management system saving 10 staff hours weekly alongside a medication adherence app, and a logistics partner optimized mobile testing routes by 40%.

Live Forward operates on a non-transactional revenue model: services are provided at no cost to clients, funded primarily through federal HOPWA and Continuum of Care grants administered in-house, with supplemental revenue from community fundraising (AIDS Walk, Coffee Shop Collective, restaurant sponsorships), individual donations, and significant in-kind contributions including donated warehouse space, pro bono professional services, and technology development. The organization distributes services through direct case management intake at its Athens headquarters, mobile testing units deployed across the 26-county region, and a partnership with the Athens Clarke County Health Department for on-site HIV testing.

Name

Live Forward

Legal name

Live Forward

Website

https://liveforward.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Live Forward is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Athens, Georgia that delivers integrated housing, HIV/AIDS prevention, and supportive services across 26 counties in Northeast Georgia, funded primarily through federal HOPWA and Continuum of Care grants plus community donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HIV/AIDS Housing and Supportive Services

NAICS

Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Behavioral Health–Capable Assisted Living (Mental Health/SUD Support) (HLADABAI)

Keywords

• HIV/AIDS housing services
• Supportive housing programs
• HIV prevention services
• HOPWA housing assistance
• Case management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Athens

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Live Forward is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers integrated housing and HIV/AIDS services in Northeast Georgia. Its core offerings include federal and state-funded housing programs (HOPWA, Shelter Plus Care, Permanent Supportive Housing, Transitional Housing, Master Leasing), HIV prevention and outreach (free mobile HIV testing, PrEP clinic referral, prevention counseling, community education), and wraparound supportive services (case management, transportation, food pantry, counseling, and virtual support groups) for individuals and families living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS across a 26-county service area.

Product overview

Live Forward is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of housing and health services for individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Northeast Georgia. The organization operates an integrated service model combining housing assistance programs (Supportive Housing, Shelter Plus Care, HOPWA Programs including Short Term Rent/Mortgage/Utility Assistance, Tenant Based Rental Assistance, Permanent Housing Placement, and Facility Based Housing) with health and prevention services (HIV Outreach and Prevention Program, Free HIV Testing, PrEP Clinic Referral, Case Management, Transportation Assistance, Food Pantry, Training and Workshops, Individual and Group Counseling, and Support Groups). Services are delivered through a client-centered, harm-reduction approach focused on achieving housing stability, improving health outcomes, and promoting independence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Supportive Housing Program Federal grant program authorized by the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, providing housing and supportive services to help homeless persons transition from streets and shelters to permanent housing and maximum self-sufficiency. For individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Northeast Georgia.
• HOPWA Programs Federal Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS program — the only federal program dedicated to housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. Encompasses Short Term Rent/Mortgage/Utility Assistance, Tenant Based Rental Assistance, Permanent Housing Placement, and Facility Based Housing sub-programs. For HIV-positive individuals in Northeast Georgia.
• HIV Outreach and Prevention Program Program helping targeted individuals and communities reduce or eliminate their risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV/AIDS through community education, free HIV testing, PrEP clinic referral, and prevention counseling.
• Free HIV Testing Confidential HIV testing services provided through mobile testing units at health fairs, community centers, and church parking lots across the 26-county service area.
• PrEP Clinic Referral Referral services connecting clients to healthcare providers for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily pill or bi-monthly injection that prevents HIV with over 99% effectiveness. Live Forward navigates clients through manufacturer assistance, state programs, and FQHC sliding fee options.
• Case Management Client-centered, strength-based, non-judgmental case management using a harm reduction model to assist clients in recognizing strengths and making healthier life choices. Includes housing and medical case management.
• Counseling and Support Groups Individual and group counseling services, including virtual support groups that allow anonymous remote participation to overcome geographic isolation and visibility concerns.
• Food Pantry and Social Events Food assistance program and community social events supporting client wellbeing and community connection, leveraging donated warehouse space from a local distribution partner.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97.5% of participating households achieved housing stability in Fiscal Year 2016
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gilead's Advancing Access programcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturer assistance program covering full cost of daily PrEP (Truvada/Descovy) for eligible uninsured patients. Live Forward helps clients navigate this program to access affordable HIV prevention medication.
• ViiVConnectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssistance program helping with injectable PrEP (Apretude) costs. Live Forward refers clients to this program for bi-monthly injection PrEP access.
• Georgia PrEP Assistance ProgramscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState programs covering medication costs, doctor visits, and lab work for PrEP access in Georgia. Live Forward helps clients navigate these state-level resources.
• Ready for PrEP ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational program providing free PrEP to those who qualify regardless of insurance status. Live Forward connects eligible clients to this program.
• Federally Qualified Health CentersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity health centers providing PrEP on sliding fee scale based on income. Many patients pay nothing. Live Forward refers clients to these centers for PrEP access.
• Local IT FirmscoreTechnology or IntegrationIT firms donating thousands of hours building secure, HIPAA-compliant systems to track client services. Part of ongoing tech partnership program.
• Local Software CompanycoreTechnology or IntegrationCreated custom case management system saving staff 10 hours weekly, time redirected to serving clients. Also developed custom app helping clients track medication schedules.
• Local Logistics CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelped redesign mobile testing routes, increasing efficiency by 40%. Cross-sector collaboration bringing operational expertise.
• Coffee Shop Collective (5 local coffee shops)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFive local coffee shops dedicating one day monthly to LiveForward, donating 20% of proceeds. LiveForward Days raise approximately $30,000 annually while sparking HIV awareness conversations.
• Local Construction CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSends crew to repair client homes, ensuring housing stability crucial for medication adherence. Provides maintenance support for client housing units.
• Distribution CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free warehouse space for food pantry and clothing closet, saving LiveForward $24,000 annually in rent. Funds redirected to client services.
• Local RestaurantsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant sponsorships of support group dinners, providing meals and venue support for client community events.
• Retail StoresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosting testing events and displaying LiveForward awareness materials. Contributing to community visibility and accessibility of HIV services.
• Professional Services FirmsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUnderwriting educational materials and providing pro bono professional services including accounting, marketing, HR, and legal support.
• Athens Clarke County Health DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocation for free, confidential HIV testing services. Live Forward refers clients to the health department for HIV testing (345 N Harris St., Athens, GA 30601).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis): One of the oldest and largest HIV/AIDS service organizations, providing housing, mental health, and case management in NYC. Operates a broader portfolio than Live Forward but is a relevant comparable for the integrated housing-plus-behavioral-health support model.
• San Francisco AIDS Foundation: Long-standing HIV/AIDS services and advocacy organization in San Francisco offering housing, prevention (PrEP/PEP), and substance use/mental health services. Comparable integrated service model with broader geographic and demographic reach.
• AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF): Largest global HIV/AIDS organization, providing medical care, housing, and prevention services across the U.S. Operates at much greater scale than Live Forward but is a relevant incumbent for the integrated HIV housing/prevention service category.

Direct peers

• Cascade AIDS Project: HIV/AIDS services and housing nonprofit serving Oregon and Southwest Washington. Operates a comparable integrated housing (HOPWA, supportive housing) and prevention/testing service portfolio, with similar harm-reduction and client-centered case management philosophy.
• Housing Works: New York-based nonprofit combining HIV/AIDS housing, healthcare, and advocacy. One of the most prominent integrated HIV+housing service organizations in the U.S., directly comparable to Live Forward's supportive housing + case management model.
• AID Atlanta: Largest HIV/AIDS service organization in metropolitan Atlanta, providing housing, case management, PrEP navigation, and prevention services. Direct geographic and service-model peer to Live Forward, with similar Ryan White/HOPWA funding streams and integrated housing-plus-health approach.
• AIDS Foundation of Chicago: Mid-size HIV/AIDS nonprofit combining housing assistance, case management, and prevention services. Operates an integrated Housing Plus model closely analogous to Live Forward's continuum of HOPWA, Shelter Plus Care, and supportive services for PLWHA.

Regional players

• NAESM (National AIDS Education & Services for Minorities): Atlanta-based HIV/AIDS organization focused on Black same-gender-loving men. Operates in the same metro/regional market as Live Forward with overlapping HIV prevention and supportive service offerings, making it a strong Southeast regional comparable.
• Positive Impact Health Centers: Atlanta-based HIV specialty care and supportive services provider offering PrEP, primary care, behavioral health, and case management. Operates in the same regional market and shares a clinical/case management orientation with Live Forward's HIV services.

Emerging players

• Thrive SS: Atlanta-based nonprofit providing social support, housing navigation, and wellness services for Black gay men living with HIV. A smaller, more specialized peer with overlapping housing-navigation and community-based support models.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/live_forward

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Live Forward