Participate in Funding Forward Rockford 2026
November 5th & 6th, 2026
Rock Valley College - Downtown Campus
Funding Forward 2026
Get Ready. Get Connected. Move Funding Forward.
A Synergy Works Better Program
Find the Funding Path That Fits—and Leave Knowing What Comes Next
Created by Synergy Works Better and presented with Thrive Sis, Funding Forward brings small-business owners, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and community partners together with funding and capital-resource professionals. Compare real options, work through an active question or barrier, make useful connections, and leave knowing what to do next.
Register early so we can help point you toward the sessions, office hours, and connections that fit your goals.
Presented by
By the numbers
Two Days Built Around Your Next Move
Two days designed to help you understand your options, strengthen readiness, make the right connections, and act on a practical next step.
Registration is offered at no cost to attendees. Lunch is included for registered participants on both days.
Why you should attend
Get Clearer About the Money—and Your Next Move
Funding Forward is built around real questions, direct guidance, and time to work—not long lectures.
Find the Funding or Capital Fit
Understand which funding and capital options make sense now, later, or not at all.
Hear How Decisions Are Made
Learn what builds confidence, what raises concerns, and what “not yet” really means.
Work on Something Real
Bring an active question, funding barrier, capital need, or organizational challenge and get practical direction from people who understand the process.
Leave With a Plan
Know what to do next, who to contact, and what to complete over the next 90 days.
What to expect
Practical Help, Useful Access, and Time to Work
Choose the conversations and working sessions that match what you are trying to move forward.
A Plain-Language Funding Map
Compare loans, grants, contracts, public resources, sponsorships, and earned revenue.
Business and Nonprofit Tracks
Choose working sessions built around the questions your business or organization is facing.
Start Here Sessions
Get a respectful, beginner-friendly starting point without judgment or unnecessary jargon.
Office Hours
Bring a question and get direct guidance from participating advisors, technical-assistance providers, and confirmed funding and capital-resource partners.
SSBCI Navigation
Ask eligibility questions, explore capital-readiness support, and begin the right next step.
Working Lunches
Use lunch to make purposeful connections instead of sitting through another presentation.
The Forward Pitch
See how experienced reviewers respond to a real ask and hear constructive feedback you can apply.
A Plan to Take Home
Set one action for this week, one for 30 days, and one measurable result for 90 days.
Who should attend
Built for People Doing the Work
Funding Forward is for people building and growing businesses, leading nonprofit organizations, navigating financial or funding systems, and helping communities gain access to capital, resources, and opportunity.
Come with a real question, an active challenge, or a goal you are ready to work on.
You do not need to have every number, document, or answer figured out before you arrive.
HERE
Not Sure Where to Begin? Start Here.
Start Here sessions use plain language and manageable steps to help you understand your numbers, organize what matters, and make a realistic first move. There are no long lectures, no public disclosure, and no expectation that you already know the system.
Ways to get support
Choose Your Path
Register for the summit, explore student participation, check whether SSBCI or capital-readiness support may fit, or tell us how you would like to sponsor, partner, or exhibit.
Register for Funding Forward
Attend both days, choose one day, or build a schedule around the sessions that match what you need. Registration is offered at no cost, and lunch is included for registered participants on both days.
Register Now ↗Student Opportunities
Explore ways for students to participate, learn, and make professional connections during Funding Forward.
Explore Student Opportunities ↗Check Eligibility for Small Business Capital Readiness Support
Learn whether SSBCI-related technical assistance may fit your business and start the appropriate next step. Summit registration does not guarantee SSBCI eligibility, financing, or a funding award.
Check Eligibility ↗Become a Sponsor, Partner, or Exhibitor
Help connect attendees with funding, capital, expertise, and practical resources while building meaningful relationships across the Funding Forward community.
Start the Conversation ↗Conference schedule
Two Days. Two Clear Outcomes.
Day One helps you find the funding path that fits and understand what to strengthen. Day Two connects you with guidance, resources, and people who can help you move forward.
Join the shared sessions, then choose the business, nonprofit, or Start Here sessions that fit your needs. Sessions within each choice block run at the same time.
November 5–6, 2026 · Rock Valley College Downtown Campus · Rockford, Illinois
All times are Central.
Understand What Fits and What to Strengthen
Start the morning with the Funding Forward warm-up and a look at the resources and relationships that can help you take your next step.
Opening keynote: “Starting Where You Are: Access, Opportunity & the Power of Community” — Keith Barnes, Rock Valley College.
Welcome and The Funding Map: Which Money Fits Your Next Move? — Lakesha York, Synergy Works Better.
All-conferenceMake a useful connection over lunch. Let us know you plan to join when you register.
RSVP requiredSSBCI is for business participants interested in capital-readiness support.
Choose oneGet Guidance, Make Connections, and Take Action
Reconnect, ask questions, and get ready for the day.
Beyond the Ask: What Happens After Money Comes? Explore what it takes to manage growth, systems, documentation, and execution.
Presented by Janiah Lake and Tamika Stembridge, OG.LLC — A Consulting Firm.
All-conferenceHear how decision-makers evaluate fit, readiness, confidence, and risk.
Choose oneConfirmed resource partners: Erika Lynn Rebout, OG.LLC — A Consulting Firm, Synergy Works Better, and State of the Mind Institute.
Choose oneCommerce & Culture: How Community Shapes Opportunity — a cross-sector conversation with OG.LLC — A Consulting Firm, Erika Lynn Rebout, and Lakesha York.
Make intentional connections with people, organizations, and resources relevant to your goals. Select lunch participation when you register.
RSVP requiredExplore upcoming opportunities for your sector or join a conversation about money and leadership.
Choose oneWatch real pitches, hear constructive feedback from an experienced review panel, and identify lessons you can apply to your own funding or capital ask.
Confirmed review panel: Tamika Stembridge, Janiah Lake, and Erika Lynn Rebout.
All-conferenceAttend Both Days—or Choose the Day You Need
Attend both days for the complete experience, or choose the day and sessions that speak most directly to what you are working on. Registration helps us point you toward the right rooms, office hours, and connections.
Register NowRegistration is offered at no cost to attendees. Lunch is included for registered participants on both days.
Additional speakers and room assignments will be added as they are confirmed. Schedule details may be refined.
Attendance and participation
No-Cost Registration. Lunch Included.
Choose the role that fits you: attend the summit, or help create practical access as a sponsor, partner, or exhibitor.
Advance registration required.
Funding Forward is offered at no cost to registered attendees to reduce barriers to high-quality funding and capital-readiness support. Lunch is included on both days for registered participants.
Advance registration helps us prepare your session options, materials, lunch, and resource connections.
Register NowBecome a Sponsor, Partner, or Exhibitor
Help connect small-business owners, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and students with funding, capital, expertise, and practical resources. Tell us how you would like to participate, and the Funding Forward team will follow up with the options that fit.
Start the ConversationPlan your visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to help you choose your day, sessions, and next step.
When and where is Funding Forward 2026?
Funding Forward takes place November 5–6, 2026, at Rock Valley College Downtown Campus in Rockford, Illinois.
How much does it cost to attend?
There is no registration fee. Funding Forward is offered at no cost to registered attendees to reduce barriers to high-quality funding and capital-readiness support. Advance registration is required, and lunch is included for registered participants on both days.
Can I attend only one day?
Yes. Attend both days for the complete experience, or select the day and sessions that best fit your needs when you register.
Is Funding Forward for businesses or nonprofits?
Both. The summit includes shared conversations, dedicated business and nonprofit sessions, and Start Here sessions for people who want a clearer starting point.
What if I am new to financial or funding terminology?
Choose a Start Here session. These sessions are practical, welcoming, and designed for people who want a clearer starting point.
Will I have to share private financial information?
No. You can ask questions and work on your next steps without publicly disclosing private financial details.
What should I bring?
Bring the question, funding need, or business or organizational challenge you most want to move forward. You do not need to arrive with every document or answer.
Can I receive SSBCI or capital-readiness help?
Eligible small businesses may be able to access SSBCI-funded capital-readiness technical assistance. Funding Forward can help you learn more and identify the appropriate next step. Summit registration does not guarantee SSBCI eligibility, financing, or a funding award.
Are there opportunities for students?
Yes. Use the Student Opportunities pathway to share your interest and receive the right follow-up.
How can my organization sponsor, partner, or exhibit?
Use the sponsor pathway to tell the Funding Forward team how you would like to participate. The team will follow up with the options that fit.
Funding Forward 2026
Choose Your Day. Choose Your Sessions. Leave With a Next Move.
Attend both days for the complete experience, or choose the day and sessions that speak most directly to what you are working on.
CONNECT WITH SYNERGY WORKS BETTER
Funding | Opportunities | Funding Forward | Student Engagement
I want to attend Funding Forward
Rockford, IL
I’m interested in student opportunities
I want to learn more about Synergy Works Better
I’m a business owner interested in capital readiness support / State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
I’m interested in trainings, workshops and resources for small businesses and nonprofit organizations
Synergy Works Better!