Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Hubbard.
Hi Aaron, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our Beginning
Forge the Future Foundation, Inc. was born from loss, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to community.
In 2018, our founder, Aaron Hubbard, experienced a life-altering loss when his father passed away after battling mouth, throat, and stomach cancer. His father was not only a parent, but his greatest mentor and guide. Suddenly navigating adulthood without that guidance forced Aaron to learn, often the hard way, how to move forward on his own.
Rather than allowing grief to define him, Aaron made a decision that would shape his life’s work — to give back to the community that raised him.
Growing up in a low-income household in North Texas, Aaron understood firsthand the struggles faced by families trying to make ends meet. He vowed to make a meaningful and lasting impact for children and families facing the same hardships he once did.
That promise became Forge the Future Foundation, Inc.
Building Warmth, Hope, and Dignity
Through the years, Forge the Future Foundation has launched impactful initiatives rooted in compassion and action. One of its earliest and most successful programs is the Jackets for Juniors Drive, which provides winter jackets and coats to children and families in need throughout North Texas. For many recipients, a warm coat means more than protection from the cold — it represents dignity, care, and hope.
Honoring a Legacy of Service
In 2025, Aaron lost another guiding light — his grandmother, Diane Clark. A lifelong servant leader, she spent decades uplifting communities as a pastor across Texas and beyond, instilling values of faith, service, and love into everyone she encountered, especially her family.
Following her passing, Forge the Future Foundation launched the Care Box Program, proudly honored in her name. This program provides essential supplies and support to families facing hardship. Since its inception, the Care Box Program has helped over 2,600 families across North Texas, with plans to expand its reach in the coming years.
Feeding Families & Growing Impact
During Thanksgiving 2025, Forge the Future Foundation donated 50 turkeys to families in need throughout North Texas — a milestone that marked both growth and gratitude. With continued community support, FTF plans to double that impact in 2026, ensuring even more families can gather around a full table.
Looking Ahead: Mentorship & Opportunity
Today, Forge the Future Foundation is building toward the future with the development of a Mentorship Program designed to connect underprivileged youth with companies and professionals willing to donate their time. This program will focus on mentorship within skilled trades and industries, helping young people gain guidance, confidence, and real-world exposure — strengthening communities while building the next generation of skilled workers.
Our Mission Continues
From loss came purpose.
From struggle came service.
From community came strength.
Forge the Future Foundation, Inc. remains committed to building America’s future — one skill, one family, and one opportunity at a time.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Obstacles Along the Way
Building Forge the Future Foundation, Inc. has never been easy. Like many grassroots nonprofits, our journey has been shaped not only by success, but by significant challenges that tested our resolve and strengthened our mission.
Starting With Limited Resources
Forge the Future Foundation began without major funding, corporate backing, or large donors. In the early years, programs were funded out of pocket, supported by small community donations and personal sacrifice. Stretching limited resources while trying to meet growing community needs required creativity, long hours, and unwavering commitment.
Grief While Leading
Our founder carried the weight of personal loss while building the organization. Losing a father in 2018 and later a grandmother in 2025 — both pillars of guidance and strength — meant leading through grief. There were moments when emotional exhaustion could have slowed progress, but honoring their legacies became a driving force rather than a stopping point.
Gaining Trust as a New Nonprofit
Establishing credibility in the nonprofit space takes time. Early on, Forge the Future Foundation had to prove its intentions, accountability, and impact to donors, partners, and the community. Trust was earned by showing up consistently, delivering on promises, and allowing our work — not words — to speak for itself.
Meeting Growing Demand
As word spread, the need grew faster than our capacity. Requests for jackets, care boxes, food assistance, and support often exceeded available supplies. Turning away families was never an option — but finding ways to stretch inventory, secure donations, and mobilize volunteers under pressure became a constant challenge.
Volunteer Burnout & Capacity Limits
Like many community-driven organizations, FTF relies heavily on volunteers. Balancing full-time work, family obligations, and nonprofit leadership sometimes led to burnout. Building sustainable systems — rather than relying on sheer willpower — has been an ongoing lesson.
Navigating Logistics & Compliance
From storage space and transportation to nonprofit compliance, insurance, and reporting requirements, the behind-the-scenes logistics demanded time and expertise that were not always readily available. Learning these systems while actively serving the community required perseverance and adaptability.
Rising Through Adversity
Every obstacle strengthened Forge the Future Foundation’s foundation. Each challenge sharpened our processes, clarified our purpose, and reaffirmed why this work matters. We didn’t pause when the path became difficult — we forged ahead.
These experiences shape how we lead today: with humility, accountability, and a deep respect for the communities we serve.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Forge the Future Foundation, Inc. is a grassroots nonprofit born from personal loss, resilience, and a deep commitment to uplifting communities in North Texas. Founded by Aaron Hubbard in 2018 after the passing of his father — a mentor and guiding light — the organization was built to serve families facing the same hardships Aaron once knew growing up in a low-income household.
We specialize in community empowerment through direct service programs that restore dignity, warmth, and hope. Our signature initiatives include:
– Jackets for Juniors Drive — providing winter coats to children and families in need.
– Care Box Program — launched in honor of Aaron’s late grandmother, Pastor Diane Clark, this program delivers essential supplies to families facing hardship and has served over 2,600 families to date.
– Thanksgiving Turkey Drive — feeding families during the holidays, with plans to double our impact in 2026.
– Mentorship Program — currently in development to connect underprivileged youth with professionals in skilled trades, fostering opportunity and workforce readiness.
What sets us apart is our origin story and our unwavering commitment to service despite limited resources. We began without major funding or corporate backing — just heart, hustle, and a promise to never turn away a family in need. Every program was built from the ground up, often funded out of pocket and powered by volunteers.
Brand-wise, we are most proud of our authenticity, our consistency, and our ability to rise through adversity. We’ve earned trust by showing up, delivering on promises, and letting our impact speak louder than words.
Forge the Future Foundation, Inc. is more than a nonprofit — it’s a movement of faith, family, and community. We’re building America’s future one skill, one family, and one opportunity at a time.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What do you like best about our city?
What I love most about our city is its spirit of resilience and community. North Texas is full of hardworking families, generous neighbors, and people who show up for one another — especially in times of need. Whether it’s local businesses supporting youth programs or churches organizing food drives, there’s a deep-rooted culture of service and care. That’s the kind of environment that inspired Forge the Future Foundation, Inc. — a place where giving back isn’t just encouraged, it’s expected.
What do you like least about our city?
What I like least is the uneven access to resources. Too many families still struggle with basic needs like food, clothing, and mentorship opportunities. While there’s incredible generosity here, the systems to support underserved communities often fall short. That gap is what drives our work — to make sure no child goes without a warm coat, no family faces hardship alone, and every young person has a chance to succeed.
Pricing:
- We are a Donations Based Foundation
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.forgethefuturefoundation.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BuDEST5gr/
