The Fast Forward Accelerator is a three-month program for early-stage tech and AI-powered nonprofits, run by Fast Forward, a nonprofit based in San Francisco.
Most sessions are online, with an in-person kickoff in San Francisco in February. The cohort works on fundraising, team building, product and nonprofit management, and ends with Demo Days before funders. Applications for the 2027 cohort closed on 7 September 2026.
Benefits & funding
- A $25K unrestricted grant (described as $25K+ in places).
- A curriculum with a nonprofit track (board, impact measurement) and a tech track (product, go-to-market, scaling), plus mentors.
- A Demo Day pitch to 1,000+ funders and supporters.
- Flight and lodging stipends for the in-person weeks; housing is not provided for the whole program.
- Ongoing portfolio support afterwards.
Eligibility
- An early-stage tech nonprofit with at least a minimum viable product built; idea-stage teams cannot apply.
- Follows a nonprofit business model; for-profit social enterprises cannot apply.
- Open worldwide: outside the U.S., registration as a nonprofit in your own country is enough; unregistered and fiscally sponsored teams may also apply.
- The applicant is a founder or the organization’s current leader.
- One co-founder attends every session (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. PT, plus about 3 hours a week) and the in-person weeks in San Francisco.
Can you apply?
Check who can apply
No nationality, residency, education, experience, gender or age limit is listed. The other conditions are under Eligibility.
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Submit the online application, including a team video, between 17 August and 7 September 2026 (11:59 p.m. PT).
- 2Fast Forward may send clarifying questions by email while applications are open.
- 3Shortlisted teams have a 40-minute interview between October and December.
- 4Final decisions arrive by the end of 2026.
Program timeline
Application window (closed)
August 17 – September 7, 2026
Interviews
October – December 2026
Final decisions
By end of 2026
Program, starting in San Francisco
Late February – early June 2027
Demo Days
Late May – early June 2027