ABOUT US & How We Work

California Forward (CA FWD) is a multi-partisan, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization building a New California Economy that is sustainable, resilient, and inclusive.

We support economic growth using a regions-up approach, stewarding state resources, and building resilience in the face of a changing climate.

How We Work

CA FWD is the interconnective tissue between the state and its regions. In collaboration with diverse partners—including our California Stewardship Network and leaders from business, community, government, labor, philanthropy, and others—we work to build fiscal and energy resilience in the face of our ever-changing climate and economy. We do this through a regions-up approach: connecting and convening regional stakeholders for shared learning and engagement, and catalyzing structural change.

Each year we host the California Economic Summit, our flagship annual event where we work with our partners to continue improving and developing programs, policies, resources, and solutions for a truly sustainable economic model.

Here are the current strategic priorities and programs we, along with our partners, are advancing to build stronger and more resilient economies across all of California.

Accomplishments

Here are some of CA FWD’s recent accomplishments:

• Convened and partnered with our Regions-Up Workgroup to envision a more durable regions-up economic development model

• Published our Vision for State and Regional Economic Partnership

• Launched the Energy Project Benefits Agreement Database with UC Berkeley’s Possibility Lab

• Convened legislative staff and stakeholders for Energy 101 to provide foundational knowledge on California’s electricity and fuel infrastructure

• Convened a cross-sector Wildfire Policy Workgroup in partnership with Insurance for Good to develop recommendations to guide future actions for sustainable funding and financing models

• Addressed growing wildfire risks and costs through two Resilience Design Sprints, a Wildfire Policy Forum, and the Wildfire Policy Brief

• Published the California Climate-Smart Economy Initiative Discussion Paper, showing how California has an opportunity to step forward as a model for climate action

• Convened two Investor Exchanges in partnership with GO-Biz to connect regional partners with investors and to showcase emerging industries grounded in regional priorities

• Connected with regional and statewide leaders at our 14th annual California Economic Summit in Stockton

• Hosted the first Governor Candidate Forum focusing on the economy, in partnership with CalMatters and 21st Century Alliance

• Convened two California Stewardship Network Peer Exchanges, aimed at sharing best practices for regional stewardship and civic engagement

• Invested in the regional leaders of tomorrow through our early-career Young Leaders Program and our mid-career Morgan Fellows program

Organizational Values

These values drive CA FWD in all the work we do:

Stewardship: We believe that California’s model for economic growth should build prosperity for all California communities now and into the future with strategies that prioritize sustainable land use and resource management.

Shared Prosperity: We strive to promote tangible benefits and build equity and wealth for people and places across California in all our work, recognizing the state’s diversity across geographies, demographics, sectors, political affiliations, and lived experience.

Integrity: We are committed to acting with principle and championing bold, creative, and ethical solutions that help California and its regions thrive.

Honesty: We act and communicate with directness, transparency, and courage, engaging in the tough conversations needed to move forward toward our collective goals.

Agility: We are responsive to the needs of our partners and to broader geopolitical and economic realities, using insight and learning to adapt and stay resilient in support of California’s economic growth.