Legacy Forward is a technical assistance cohort program that aims to support small and mid-size cities in shifting from startup-focused strategies to long-term business retention and growth. Through a national learning cohort, city leaders will learn to identify and support legacy and second-stage businesses, particularly those led by under-resourced entrepreneurs, facing challenges such as workforce shortages, supply chain disruptions, or ownership transitions. The program will culminate by producing a replicable toolkit enabling cities nationwide to preserve established businesses and the community wealth they generate.
Through regular virtual convenings and expert-led webinars, cities that apply and are selected for the cohort will connect with one another and ultimately build the capacity to support more legacy and second-stage businesses in their communities, with intentionality imbued with innovation.
View the Request for Applications (RFA)
This document includes all the details you need to complete the Legacy Forward application.
Apply for the Legacy Forward Cohort
Applications close April 19, 2026.
This cohort is made possible by the support of the Nasdaq Foundation.
Watch the Information Session
NLC’s Entrepreneurship and Economic Development team hosted an information session to walk through the Legacy Forward opportunity.