The Forward Fund

Our CEO, Meaghan Dennison, shares her #Forward thoughts on how TFF aligns with her values. Don't scroll past this post. It's a good one. "I’m surrounded by friends and colleagues with burdensome student debt, and our household is not immune. We’re fortunate that our monthly student loan payment resembles a car payment rather than a mortgage payment. Student loan debt affects more than 43 million Americans and totals more than $1.75 trillion combined in federal and private student loan debt. NC is in the top ten for student loan debt, with over $51 billion in outstanding loans across 1.362 million borrowers. That’s an average of $37,497 per borrower, which is untenable and locks many out of upward mobility. As my husband and I prepare for our first child and consider our nieces and nephews, there has to be an alternative. We must prepare the next generation for the jobs of the future without anchoring them with unimaginable and often inescapable debt. That’s why I founded The Forward Fund so that students can chart their futures without crippling student loan debt. Raising wages is like a rising tide that raises all boats. That’s how we build a brighter future." Learn more about our mission: https://theforward.fund/ #chartyourfuture Source Data: https://lnkd.in/ezAhXvFP https://lnkd.in/esu8WtvG Kevin Maurer Susie Sewell

DYK? More than 62 percent of Americans ages 25 and up do not hold bachelor’s degrees in the US. What does this mean? It means that what was once the standard profile for a "good hire" looks different now. And it should! Learned experience through additional training, internships, and apprenticeships is a valuable experience, even if a candidate doesn't have a four-year degree. There are other options. TFF is a new option for financing non-traditional education and covers life expenses so learners can return to school. Check us out: https://lnkd.in/e8KuUFmh Article source: https://lnkd.in/gmD8WkAu

#Forward #Thinking from our CEO, Meaghan Dennison. "We’re changing the narrative by providing a different way to finance your education. Today, financial aid is limited for short-term education and training programs. Any assistance is often one-time emergency funding, forcing students to self-finance short-term training while also often ending outside employment. These programs are full-time and often don’t allow for continued employment if you want to be successful." "TFF changes this. If you want to invest in an education and training program that is all but guaranteed to lead to high-wage employment, we’ll finance that choice." #ChartYourFuture #jobs #skills #education #training #northcarolina

We love the term “wraparound support.” As this article states, there is no quick fix for underserved students, and often, multiple steps are required before a student can launch a successful career. In this example, Code the Dream prepares students with industry-specific courses that teach tech basics. Code Tenderloin then provides a program on computer literacy, job readiness, and precoding to build confidence. TFF is dedicated to eliminating barriers to accessing further training and education. That’s why we work with you to ease the burden of things like childcare and transportation costs while offering ongoing career mentorship. This is our example of a wraparound support model. #chartyourfuture #education #training #skills #jobs #mobility #firstjob #northcarolina https://lnkd.in/ety_vqv3

ICYMI: Meaghan Dennison shares how the impact of unrelenting student debt moved her to start The Forward Fund. #chartyourfuture

How can you move your career #Forward? Our CEO shares how students can chart their futures to higher-wage careers. "If you’re serious about joining the ranks of electrical linemen or learning to drive a truck, there is no better way to gain those skills. Our zero-interest loans cover essential life expenses such as childcare, housing, transportation, and necessities, allowing you to focus on school full-time. Repayment doesn’t begin until you’re employed and earning a minimum salary. With no interest or fees, there’s no risk, putting you in the driver’s seat to #chartyourfuture." Explore your options: https://bit.ly/3Cqhke0 #trades #jobs #skills #higherwage #employment #training #education #northcarolina Meaghan Dennison Kevin Maurer Susie Sewell

We were pleased to attend the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting as guests of Duke Energy Corporation. It was a wonderful evening of networking, celebrating successes, and hearing about what's next for the business community. Thank you, Pam Hardy! 📷 Meaghan Dennison and Susie Sewell

The article from StarNews Online discusses how Gen Z students in Wilmington are increasingly pursuing careers in skilled trades. The growing interest in these fields reflects the demand for skilled workers in construction, plumbing, electrical work, CDL truck driving, and welding. Enter The Forward Fund. As North Carolina’s first pay-it-forward fund, we support our students in securing high-wage employment through customized financial assistance (that covers life expenses.) We also ensure that local employers discover the skilled talent they require. #chartyourfuture #genz #northcarolina Check us out: https://theforward.fund/ Meaghan Dennison https://lnkd.in/eKw7nFYe

CEO Meaghan Dennison shares how TFF investors move North Carolina #Forward. 👇 "This education loan is transformative, driven by philanthropy, and designed to move North Carolina #forward. Donations go directly to students through zero-interest loans, which are repaid once the student achieves a minimum salary. Therefore, the donations are passed #forward to future students." "The impact? It’s measured not only in the increased salaries earned by students but also in a higher area median income and a better-prepared workforce for local employers. Every dollar invested is an investment in North Carolina's future." Learn more about TFF on our website: https://theforward.fund/ #chartyourfuture

Get ready for a #Forward post! In today's post, our CEO, Meaghan Dennison, shares her forward-thinking approach to running the state's first pay-it-forward fund and the inspiration behind its creation. "During my time at Cape Fear Collective (CFC), we secured affordable housing in Wilmington with the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) dollars. Our goal was to transition renters to homeowners with the ultimate goal of building generational wealth. After more than two years of renovating and prioritizing housing safety, we realized wages in our region were not conducive to homeownership, so we began exploring options for raising area wages. With higher wages as our north star, we dove deeper into the barriers individuals face in accessing, enrolling, and graduating from short-term credential and degree programs that yield high-wage employment. The most significant barrier was affording basic life necessities like food, housing, transportation, and child care. Higher-wage employment and careers provide critical benefits, such as health insurance, retirement planning, homeownership, and business entrepreneurship opportunities, which drive generational wealth. As North Carolina’s first pay-it-forward fund, TFF provides no-risk loans that cover tuition, related fees, and life expenses. Students only repay the loan when they graduate and meet a minimum, life-sustaining wage. To start, we’re focused on existing short-term programs that lead to high-wage employment in the skilled trades and life sciences. Our goal is to provide TFF financing alongside education and training pathways that offer a sure path to high-wage employment. Why is this important? Employment is becoming increasingly technical and less routine, demanding education and training beyond a high school diploma. Many NC workers are acquiring skills necessary for better employment opportunities. At the same time, employers are desperate for well-trained, local talent to fill critical job needs. Matching local talent with high-wage employment is the great equalizer in generating wealth. Our innovative funding mechanism supports the individual and, through loan repayment, allows them to pay it forward for the person behind them. The model is simple, effective, and proven. Our financing is a fit if there’s a financial need and a willingness to level up." Learn more about TFF on our website: https://theforward.fund/  #mobility #careers #talent #jobs #wages #financing #employment #trades #skills #northcarolina #forwardthinking #chartyourfuture Kevin Maurer Susie Sewell