Legacy Forward Technical Assistance (TA) Cohort Program Application

Moving Second-Stage Businesses Forward

Legacy Forward, a new technical assistance (TA) initiative from National League of Cities in partnership with the Nasdaq Foundation, is designed to help small and mid-size cities invest in the long-term success of established businesses. 

Through a selective national cohort, city leaders will learn how to identify, strengthen, and sustain legacy and second-stage enterprises, especially those led by under-resourced entrepreneurs navigating workforce, supply chain or ownership transitions. 

The program centers on practical training, peer learning, and tailored support to advance businesses that are ready for their next chapter. Legacy Forward will culminate with an in-person meeting during early 2027 to highlight and review lessons from the program. As well, NLC will develop a toolkit, empowering cities nationwide to support legacy businesses. 

Project Timeline

The technical assistance period will occur from June 2026 to February 2027.

INFORMATION SESSION: Thursday, March 26, 2026 - Review recording here

PROPOSALS DUE: 11:59 PM (ET) Sunday, April 19, 2026 

COHORT SELECTION ANNOUNCED: Week of May 11, 2026

COHORT PROGRAMMING: June 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027

COHORT CLOSING CONVENING: February 2027

CADENCE OF MEETINGS

• Attendance monthly at one expert-led workshop and regular cohort check-ins (~2 hrs total/month)

• Optional additional check-ins/cohort 1:1 connection calls throughout the program

• Regular surveys and milestone details (such as city action planning forms) will be required to complete

Selection Criteria

Cities are eligible to apply for the program based on providing the following details, with special consideration given to cities able to share about the following details:

1. Ideal candidates will be small and mid-size municipalities (pop. 50K to 500K). Smaller cities with infrastructure in place to expand legacy business support efforts or with work underway in this space will be considered. Larger cities with fledging efforts and strong local partnerships focused on legacy businesses will be considered.
2. City has two to four active staff, and one to two partner contacts to engage in monthly expert-led workshops and develop city action plan for legacy/second-stage business engagement. An active economic development or related municipal office that will spearhead participation in the program is required. Other partners from ESOs are invited to join, but the primary leader/contact should be a city leader.
3. City has collected – or is in the process of collecting – information about the needs of local business owners.
4. Additional consideration will be given to cities with a legacy business program in its nascent stages, or with particular plans/existing collaboration with legacy businesses.
5. City has some work underway with entrepreneurs generally, and ideally has begun to inventory and/or initiate focus on legacy business needs. 
6. Cities in areas where small businesses make up an outsize portion of overall state GDP will also receive additional consideration.
7. Your city’s top executive must provide a letter of support for program participation.