Who can apply
- Early-stage tech nonprofits
- AI-powered nonprofits
- Organisations pursuing a nonprofit business model
- Nonprofits based in countries worldwide
- African tech nonprofits
- Organisations with at least a minimum viable product already built
- Organisations whose technology or software is central to their social-impact solution
- Organisations addressing any social or environmental issue area
- Founders or current organisational leaders
- Teams with mission-driven technology talent in leadership
- Teams with credible plans to bring technology leadership on board
- Organisations with strong potential for social impact
- Organisations developing scalable software-based solutions
- Organisations led by people with lived experience of the problem are strongly valued
- Women and people of colour are encouraged to apply even where they do not meet every preferred criterion
- For-profit social enterprises are not eligible
- Idea-stage organisations without a minimum viable product are not eligible
Focus areas
- Technology for social impact
- Artificial intelligence for social impact
- Tech nonprofit development
- Software-based solutions
- Product development
- Go-to-market strategy
- Technology scaling
- Fundraising
- Pitch development
- Board development
- Impact measurement
- Volunteer management
- Team building
- Nonprofit management
- Social-impact leadership
- Community-driven innovation
- Founder development
- Peer learning
- Demo Day preparation
- Global nonprofit networks
Requirements
- Pursue a nonprofit business model
- Have at least a minimum viable product already built
- Use technology or software as a central part of the proposed impact model
- Demonstrate meaningful potential for social impact
- Demonstrate potential to scale the solution
- Show credible organisational leadership
- Show existing technology leadership or a realistic plan to secure it
- Commit at least one co-founder or organisational leader to attend every programme session
- Attend virtual programming on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Pacific Time
- Commit approximately three additional meeting hours each week
- Complete assignments outside scheduled programme sessions
- Attend the required in-person kickoff in San Francisco
- Participate in the in-person or virtual Demo Day activities
- The 2027 application questions and mandatory supporting documents have not yet been officially published
Application steps
- Read the official accelerator page and frequently asked questions.
- Confirm that your organisation follows or is pursuing a nonprofit business model.
- Confirm that your technology product has reached at least minimum viable product stage.
- Prepare evidence of your technology, impact potential, leadership, scalability and connection to the problem.
- Submit the Accelerator Interest Form to receive updates when applications open.
- Complete the official 2027 application once Fast Forward announces the application portal and exact deadline.
This accelerator is not intended for an ordinary NGO that only uses email, social media, a website or standard digital tools in its operations. Technology or AI must be central to the organisation’s social-impact solution, and applicants must already have a minimum viable product rather than only an idea or research concept. Strong applicants will demonstrate a scalable software-based solution, capable founders, credible technology leadership, evidence of community need and a clear explanation of why a nonprofit model is appropriate. African organisations are eligible, but they should be ready for a demanding schedule aligned with Pacific Time and required in-person participation in San Francisco. Fast Forward provides flight and lodging support for teams outside the Bay Area, but applicants should still assess visa readiness and the time commitment before applying. The exact 2027 application form and deadline are not yet available, so organisations should use the upcoming period to strengthen their product, evidence, team and fundraising narrative.