Organization · Community
CEOs for Cities now Forward Cities
Forward Cities is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems and urban innovation in mid-sized American cities. It connects leaders across various sectors to promote economic competitiveness and community equity.
Overview
What CEOs for Cities now Forward Cities does
What CEOs for Cities now Forward Cities is
Forward Cities is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems and urban innovation in mid-sized American cities. It connects leaders across various sectors to promote economic competitiveness and community equity.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Community
- Founded
- Founded in 2001
- Approximate age
- About 25 years
- Structured capabilities
- Community
- Last reviewed
- March 31, 2026
Official channels
Find CEOs for Cities now Forward Cities elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
CEOs for Cities now Forward Cities as a community
Community overview
CEOs for Cities, now known as Forward Cities, is an organization founded in 2001 by Richard M. Daley, the former mayor of Chicago, and Paul Grogan, the former president and CEO of The Boston Foundation. It serves as a national alliance focused on improving American cities and businesses by connecting urban leaders across various sectors, including business, education, and philanthropy.
Community focus
The organization emphasizes urban economic development and quality of life improvements. It provides strategies, research, and practical tools aimed at fostering collaboration among mayors, business leaders, university presidents, and foundation heads to drive positive change in cities.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Investors · Corporate Innovators
- Benefits
- network-access
- Program types
- community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Regions
- United States
Common questions
What to know about CEOs for Cities now Forward Cities
Upseed classifies CEOs for Cities now Forward Cities under the Community organization type. Its current public profile includes community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 31, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.