WHAT IS FORWARD WAYNE COUNTY?
Forward Wayne County is a backbone organization that serves as a catalyst for change in Wayne County, Indiana. We are also a community development arm of the Wayne County Foundation.
Our role as backbone support is a critical condition for collective impact. In fact, the lack of a strong backbone is the number one reason that collective impact initiatives fail.
Our goal is to support a county-wide collective effort to attract, develop, and retain a highly competitive workforce to meet the current and future needs of our area businesses and industries.
Wondering what Collective Impact is? Don’t worry, we wrote all about it in our article, Collective Impact for a Thriving Wayne County.
OUR IMPACT
Measuring what matters, this information helps decide priorities, shape and pursue effective policies, and seek external funding opportunities.
OUR PEOPLE
OUR COMMUNITY
Improving our environment, neighborhoods, and the quality of life for our Wayne County residents.
OUR RESOURCES
Access useful guides, tools, and resources for service providers, community organizations, and partners.
On the Blog
A Look at Community Impact in Wayne County
Community impact is at the heart of what Forward Wayne County does, but what exactly does it look like? Throughout July, the Wayne County Foundation and Forward Wayne County shared real examples of community impact and success from the past year, highlighting the...
Local Stewards: The Leadership Behind the Wayne County Land Trust
The Wayne County Land Trust was established in 2025 with a clear purpose: to preserve and revitalize the properties that make downtown Richmond and the Depot worth caring about. But a mission is only as strong as the people behind it. The Land Trust is led by a...
