Company: Forward Financing, Boston, MA
Company Description: Forward Financing is a Boston-based fintech company that provides fast, flexible capital to small businesses that have often been underserved by traditional financing options. All businesses deserve access to the support they need to succeed, and we are building advanced technology and a best-in-class team to transform the small business financing industry.
Nomination Category: Achievement Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Achievement in Diversity & Inclusion
 Nomination Title: Forward Financing
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the nominated organization's D&I achievements since the beginning of 2021, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video:
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization's history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 188 words used.
Forward Financing is a fintech company headquartered in Boston that provides fast, flexible capital to small businesses that have often been underserved by traditional financing options. All businesses deserve access to the support they need to succeed, and we are building advanced technology and a best-in-class team to transform the small business financing industry.
Since 2012, Forward has provided over $2.2 billion in funding to more than 50,000 businesses. The company is A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau, with an ‘Excellent / 4.9 star rating on Trustpilot.com. Forward Financing has been recognized as a Best Place to Work by the Boston Business Journal and Built In Boston and is certified as a Great Place to Work®.
Forward is on a mission to enable our people to reach their full potential – to be successful, we actively promote a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to cultivating a workplace where trust and respect are paramount, and all employees feel valued, heard, and accepted. By embracing diversity of thought, background, and identity, we continue to become a stronger team and a better organization.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 244 words used.
- Hosted 21 workshops and launched an Employee Resource Group focused on a variety of DEI topics, including gender pay gap, model minority myth, disability pride, microaggressions, intersectionality, and more. Hosted a Women’s Forum for all women-identifying employees.
- Collected anonymous employee feedback on DEI efforts through annual and pulse surveys. Established DEI goals from employee feedback and shared updates with the company quarterly. Publicly shared our progress towards DEI goals and initiatives.
- Partnered with [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] and [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] to build more diverse candidate pipelines. Implemented [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] to help eliminate unconscious social bias from job description language. Established standardized interview processes, rolled out interviewer training on equitable and inclusive hiring, and adopted a “Culture Add” mindset.
- Established our Employee Choice policy, providing employees the autonomy to work from home, in office, a combination, or move to a new state without changes to their compensation.
- Expanded our Parental Leave policy to 8-weeks of paid leave for new parents, regardless of gender. Implemented paid leave for those who experience pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or failed adoption, surrogacy or fertility treatment. Added a benefit to medical plans that reimburses travel costs associated with obtaining abortion services when access is restricted by state law.
- Implemented Professional Development Program providing employees $2,000 annually for career development. Since its launch, over [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION]% of employees have used the program.
- Launched Internal Mobility Program to enable high performing employees to transition to internal roles better aligned with their longer term career aspirations.
- f you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 234 words used.
Forward works to embed DEI into our everyday culture, instead of viewing it as a separate strategy. We look at every program and policy from a DEI perspective, focusing on meeting individual needs, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.
Rather than mandatory DEI sessions, we encourage our employees to participate on their own accord. The autonomy to choose how they want to engage (anonymous surveys, ERG meetings, workshops, resource materials, etc.) empowers employees to take ownership of their own learning and growth. Consequently, over [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION]% of employees have voluntarily attended at least one DEI session.
We recognize that every household and family dynamic is different. We provide equal paid leave to all employees who welcome a child, paid leave for those who experience pregnancy loss, and a travel reimbursement for those seeking abortion care when restricted by state law.
While many employers have shifted to remote environments, they continue to outline requirements on where employees can work. We’ve moved to an employee-focused model that empowers employees to work wherever best fits their individual needs. This shift has enabled us to hire nationally and provide an equally engaging culture for our fully remote employees.
Our Professional Development program has helped remove cost barriers for employees looking for opportunities to develop their skills. Employees are also highly encouraged to explore other career opportunities internally, which helps them align their careers in areas of interest to them.
- Optional: Reference here any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and explain how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 234 words used.
Our 2021 DEI report is attached, which covers our DEI initiatives in detail. This report was shared with all employees, new hires, and posted to our public company website. We will continue to share this and future reports with all candidates and new hires to encourage ongoing engagement in DEI initiatives.
We included a sampling of content that is saved to our internal employee resource drive. These include ERG meeting slides, heritage month celebration resources, and our Small and Minority Owned Business Directory list. This content is regularly referenced and shared in internal communications.
Included is our Pronoun Guide for adding pronouns to employee profiles in our systems. This helps outline both how to add pronouns, and why it’s important to use pronouns throughout the day. Also included is our Culture Add Mindset guide, which focuses on eliminating bias and finding candidates who have skills that enhance, rather than simply mirror, our current team members.
Attached are examples from our DEI Speaker Series, including snapshots of the relationships we have built with external experts in the community. We strive to develop diverse connections through our monthly speaker series and highlight a variety of voices, backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.
We’ve also attached policy documents for our Professional Development, Internal Mobility, and Employee Choice policies, which all help employees find avenues to develop and grow here at the company, while reducing costs and expenses of development.
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