Fourth Plain Forward

What Fourth Plain Forward does

Fourth Plain Forward is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, that delivers free business support, lending, and community development programs to underrepresented entrepreneurs and residents in Clark County. Its service portfolio spans three pillars: (1) capital access, including Business Loans of up to $50,000 at rates starting at 6.99% over terms up to 60 months, a Business IDA matched-savings program that delivers $3,500 total for $500 saved, and Mini-Grants for small businesses; (2) training and advisory, comprising the multi-week Business Academy, single-session Business Connect workshops, the Food Permits 101 workshop, and Financial Empowerment classes, all offered in English and Spanish; and (3) community facilities and resources, including a licensed commissary kitchen, coworking and meeting space at Fourth Plain Community Commons (opened 2023), a Job & Career Board platform, a local restaurant/business directory, and a Climate Adaptation/Environmental Justice program.

The organization serves BIPOC, Latine, Tribal, food, and trades entrepreneurs, as well as job seekers and residents seeking financial empowerment. Its go-to-market is community-led: free services are delivered in person at two Vancouver locations and via virtual workshops, with marketing primarily through the website, an email newsletter, Instagram, partner referrals (Clark County, City of Vancouver, workforce agencies, NAACP, SCORE), and recurring community events. Revenue is generated entirely from tax-deductible donations and government/foundation grants — most notably a $1.39 million September 2024 award from the Washington State Department of Commerce to establish a dedicated lending agency for Black, Latine, and Tribal communities, plus CDBG funding from Clark County and the City of Vancouver.

Operationally the organization is lean (1-10 employees), led by Executive Director Paul Burgess with a small team including Business Lending Officers CJ Aguon and Wil Fuentes (Operations Manager). 2025 reported impact includes 250+ businesses assisted, $175K+ in business grants issued, $500K+ in capital driven to Clark County small businesses, and 10 birth doulas trained, against a stated 2035 goal of connecting 10,000 people to economic-opportunity programs.

Name

Fourth Plain Forward

Legal name

Fourth Plain Forward

Website

https://fourthplainforward.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fourth Plain Forward is a Vancouver, WA-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free bilingual business coaching, training, micro-grants, matched-savings programs, and small-business loans to BIPOC, Latine, and Tribal entrepreneurs, plus job-board and community resources for residents of Clark County, Washington.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK), Workforce & Career Transition Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAC)

Keywords

• Small business lending
• Community development programs
• Entrepreneur support services
• Financial empowerment workshops
• Nonprofit community development

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations supporting community development and small business programs in the Fourth Plain corridor.
2. Government Grants: Funding from government entities including Washington State Department of Commerce ($1.39 million grant for lending agency), Clark County CDBG funds, and City of Vancouver to support business programs and community initiatives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Fourth Plain Forward is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free business support, lending, training, and community resource programs for entrepreneurs and residents in Vancouver and Clark County, Washington. Core offerings include business loans (up to $50,000), a matched-savings Business IDA program, small-business mini-grants, business training workshops (Business Connect, Business Academy), a licensed commissary kitchen, coworking space, an online job board, and financial empowerment workshops. All services are offered in English and Spanish and target BIPOC and underrepresented communities.

Product overview

Fourth Plain Forward is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of community and economic development programs for entrepreneurs and residents in Vancouver and Clark County, Washington. The organization provides business support services organized around three core pillars: (1) Business Funding Programs including Business Loans (up to $50,000 at 6.99%+ rates), the Business IDA matched savings program ($3,500 total for $500 saved), and Mini-Grants for equipment and supplies; (2) Business Training & Workshops including Business Connect single-session workshops, the multi-week Business Academy program, and specialized workshops such as Food Permits 101 and AI for Small Business Owners; and (3) Community Facilities & Resources including a Commissary Kitchen for food entrepreneurs, Coworking & Meeting Space at Fourth Plain Community Commons, a Job & Career Board platform, a Restaurant/Business Directory map, and Financial Empowerment Workshops. The organization also runs Environmental Justice programs including a Climate Adaptation Taskforce and Severe Weather Crisis Response Team. All services are free to participants and offered in both English and Spanish.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Connect A workshop and networking program offering practical training for small business owners on topics including marketing, bookkeeping, legal basics, pricing, and business planning. Open to startups and small businesses across Clark County, offered in English and Spanish.
• Business Academy A multi-week hands-on training program helping entrepreneurs build functioning businesses through sessions on licensing, operations, pricing, and cash flow management. Classes offered in English and Spanish with bilingual instructors.
• Business Loans Low-interest loans up to $50,000 with rates starting at 6.99% and flexible terms up to 60 months, designed for small businesses in Clark County that face barriers accessing traditional bank financing. Paired with free coaching and technical assistance.
• Business IDA (Individual Development Account) A matched savings program where participants save $500 over six months and receive $3,000 in matching funds ($3,500 total) for tools, equipment, licensing, or startup costs. Includes business and financial training. Priority for construction trades, food & beverage, and artisan businesses.
• Mini-Grants for Small Business Owners Financial support program for small business owners in Clark County (outside City of Vancouver) providing mini-grants for equipment, tools, marketing, licensing, or essential expenses. Requires completion of business training sessions.
• Financial Empowerment Workshops Free in-person workshops covering spending plans and credit management. Topics include creating realistic spending plans, understanding credit reports, and steps to build or improve credit. Limited to 9 participants with $100 incentive for participants.
• Job & Career Board Online job portal connecting employers and job seekers in Vancouver and Clark County. Provides free resume reviews, career insights, and job listings. Offers 35% discount for nonprofits and BIPOC-owned businesses.
• Commissary Kitchen Licensed commercial kitchen at Fourth Plain Community Commons for food entrepreneurs to launch and grow food businesses. Includes support for food safety permitting, recipe costing, catering prep, and connection to vendor opportunities.
• Coworking & Meeting Space Affordable workspace at Fourth Plain Community Commons offering dedicated desks, flexible passes, conference rooms, Wi-Fi, printing, and phone rooms. Includes built-in network of local organizations and business owners.
• Climate Health Adaptation / Environmental Justice Program Program addressing health impacts of climate change in the Fourth Plain community through educational outreach, policy advocacy, and resource mobilization for extreme weather resilience. Includes a 10-member Climate Adaptation Taskforce and Severe Weather Crisis Response Team.

Quantifiable outcome

• 250+ businesses received free assistance in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• SCOREcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for business workshops including Business Plan Basics, Starting a Small Business, Financial Statements, and other training sessions. SCORE mentors present workshops and provide business education resources.
• KeyBank Small BusinesssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Small Business Credit workshop focusing on personal and business credit fundamentals, creditworthiness factors, and financing options for small businesses.
• Workforce Southwest WashingtonsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on job board platform and business networking events. Partnership supports employment resources and workforce development in Clark County.
• Clark County Public HealthsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Food Permits 101 workshop helping entrepreneurs understand food business permits, licensing requirements, and health department expectations.
• Clark County Public Health - Environmental Justice CoalitionsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of Environmental Justice Coalition bringing specific health concerns of Fourth Plain community to policy discussions and advocacy efforts.
• City of Vancouver Climate ActionsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for City of Vancouver Climate Action Framework, advocating for policies and actions that mitigate immediate health risks associated with climate change.
• CAPA StrategiesminorOthersPartner in Climate Adaptation Taskforce supporting climate health adaptation initiatives and educational outreach programs.
• Evergreen Habitat for HumanityminorOthersPartner in Climate Adaptation Taskforce contributing to health-focused environmental policies and community resilience efforts.
• U.S. Dept. of Fish & WildlifeminorOthersPartner in environmental programs and Art & Nature in the Park events, supporting nature education and conservation efforts.
• Clark County Conservation DistrictminorOthersPartner in environmental justice initiatives and community nature programs, supporting native plant education and habitat restoration.
• Vancouver Bee ProjectminorOthersPartner in pollinator-friendly initiatives and environmental education programs along the Fourth Plain corridor.
• Fourth Plain Community CommonscoreOthersJoint facility housing commissary kitchen and coworking space for local entrepreneurs and community organizations. Co-branded space for workshops and community programs.
• NAACP Vancouver ChaptersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of Art & Nature in the Park events and community programs. Partnership supports back-to-school supplies and family resources.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Craft3: Pacific Northwest-based CDFI providing loans, business advising, and grants to underserved entrepreneurs and nonprofits in Oregon and Washington. Direct comparable to Fourth Plain Forward's lending agency and small business support programs in the same geographic region.
• Accion Opportunity Fund: National CDFI providing small business loans and advisory services to underserved entrepreneurs, with strong focus on BIPOC and women-owned businesses. Comparable microlending-plus-coaching model at national scale.
• Ventures: Seattle-based nonprofit providing microenterprise development, small business training, and lending for low-income entrepreneurs. Operates a near-identical programmatic stack including coaching, training, IDA matched savings, and microloans.
• Working Solutions: San Francisco Bay Area CDFI providing microloans and business advising to underserved entrepreneurs who cannot access traditional financing. Comparable lending + advising model targeting BIPOC and low-income small business owners.
• Mercy Corps Northwest: Nonprofit economic development organization running microlending, small business training, and IDA programs for low-income entrepreneurs in the Pacific Northwest. Closely comparable in mission, programmatic mix, and CDFI-style capital deployment.

Regional players

• Community Development Corporation of Clark County: Local Clark County economic development nonprofit focused on small business support, affordable housing, and community programs. Operates in the same geography with overlapping small business development mission.
• Latino Community Fund of Washington: Washington State nonprofit supporting Latino communities through economic development, education, and civic engagement programs. Comparable in serving Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs and BIPOC communities in the same regional footprint.

Broad incumbents

• SCORE: National nonprofit providing free business mentoring, workshops, and educational resources to small business owners. Currently a partner of Fourth Plain Forward but operates as a broad incumbent across the entire U.S. small business support ecosystem.
• Grameen America: National microfinance nonprofit providing small loans, savings programs, and financial education to low-income women entrepreneurs. Comparable microfinance-plus-training model with broader geographic reach.

Others

• Washington State Microenterprise Association: Statewide association of microenterprise development organizations and CDFIs in Washington. Peer/ecosystem relationship rather than direct competitor; serves as a convener and advocacy body for organizations like Fourth Plain Forward.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/fourthplainforward

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Fourth Plain Forward