603 Forward is an advocacy group that trains working-age individuals in New Hampshire for leadership roles to address issues like workforce aging and “systemic scarcity.” Founded in 2019 by Liz Wester and Lucas S. Meyer, the organization emerged from the co-founders’ experiences during the 2018 midterm elections, including Meyer’s position as president of the New Hampshire Young Democrats. The co-founders have described their work as building “an important piece of New Hampshire’s progressive infrastructure” and urged continued efforts to “fight like hell for our future” and “demand more from our democracy.” ¹

Policy Positions

603 Forward advocates for changes in voting policies, housing policies, and state budget allocations. The group opposes election-security and voter-integrity legislation, which it considers “attacks on voting rights” and “anti-voter legislation.” In housing, it addresses the “housing crisis” by backing bills to eliminate municipal regulations on mandatory on-site parking, modify definitions of accessory dwelling units, and allow residential building in commercial zones. The organization lobbies on legislation, recruits and trains activist candidates for local and state office, and supports candidates under 50 years old. ²

Forward Foundation

The Forward Foundation was established in 2022 by the same co-founders as 603 Forward, creating a linked pair of nonprofits with shared leadership and missions focused on political training and engagement. Wester and Meyer were the board chairs for both entities, indicating tight operational connections. In June 2025, Wester and Meyer announced they would be stepping down from these roles, with Tim Smith-Gerding acting as interim board chair for the Forward Foundation. Julianne Gadoury became the executive director amid staff expansions. ¹

The groups’ activities include running over 60 “Run for Office” workshops, supporting more than 280 young candidates in winning elections, and organizing over 100 events that generated thousands of advocacy actions at local, state, and federal levels. The groups also operate a nonpartisan voter education program reaching hundreds of thousands of voters. Between Forward Foundation and 603 Forward, as of 2025 the groups had raised over $3.5 million, maintained an annual budget exceeding $1 million, and employed nine full-time staffers, positioning them as a major leadership development operation in New England. ¹

Financials

In 2023, 603 Forward reported revenue of $587,266, with expenses of $743,224, resulting in a net loss of $155,958 and net assets of $14,243. Contributions to the organization were $586,788 or 99.9 percent of revenue. Other salaries and wages totaling $468,231 or 63 percent, bringing compensation costs to a significant portion of expenses. ³

603 Forward receives grants from progressive-leaning organizations. In 2022, the New Hampshire Progress Alliance reported a $165,000 grant to 603 Forward for general support. ⁴ Another $80,000 came from the Run for Something Action Fund for social welfare activities in 2022. ⁵ Also in 2023, America Votes donated $45,000 for “social welfare.” ⁶

Leadership

Liz Wester co-founded 603 Forward, along with Lucas S. Meyer. Wester previously worked on the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC) as advocacy director. Her experience also includes work as coordinated director for the New Hampshire Democratic Party, New Hampshire state director for the Elizabeth Warren presidential campaign, and New Hampshire state director for America Votes. ⁷

Lucas S. Meyer co-founded 603 Forward. Meyer previously served as president of the New Hampshire Young Democrats for five years. His experience also includes serving as caucus director for the New Hampshire Senate Democratic Caucus, leading the New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights/Fair Maps Coalition, and managing the reelection campaign of U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) in 2020. ⁸

As of August 2025, Julianne Gadoury was the executive director of 603 Forward. Gadoury previously was executive director of the Forward Foundation. ⁹

From 2019 to 2024, Molly Lunn Owen was the executive director for 603 Forward. Owen previously worked as director of development for Granite United Way, deputy state director for Forward NC, and community organizer for the 2014 Massachusetts gubernatorial Democratic primary campaign of Don Berwick. ¹⁰

1. Wester, Liz, and Lucas S. Meyer. “A Message From Our Co-Founders.” 603 Forward. Accessed August 10, 2025. https://www.603forward.org/press/co-founders. 
2. 603 Forward. “2025-2026 Legislative Session.” Accessed August 13, 2025. https://www.603forward.org/25legsession.
3. ProPublica. “603 Forward.” Nonprofit Explorer. Accessed August 10, 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/832984780. 
4. New Hampshire Progress Alliance. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2022. Schedule 1, part 2, line 2. 
5. Run for Something. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2022. Schedule 1, part 2, line 3. 
6. America Votes. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2023. Schedule 1, part 2, line 1. 
7. Wester, Liz. LinkedIn Profile. LinkedIn. Accessed August 13, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-wester-487b88a. 
8. Meyer, Lucas S. Profile. Clay. Accessed August 13, 2025. https://clay.earth/profile/lucas-meyer. 
9. Gadoury, Julianne. LinkedIn Profile. LinkedIn. Accessed August 13, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianne-gadoury-3a42a451. 
10. Lunn Owen, Molly. LinkedIn Profile. LinkedIn. Accessed August 13, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-lunn-owen.