Official Rules

1. Contest Overview

The Forward Financing #MilestoneMoments Contest (the "Contest") is a skill-based promotional contest. Winners are determined solely on the basis of the judging criteria in Section 7. This Contest is not a lottery or game of chance. Void where prohibited. The Contest is sponsored by Forward Financing LLC ("Sponsor"). Contact: marketing@forwardfinancing.com.

2. Eligibility

The Contest is open to small businesses that are current or former customers of Forward Financing (i.e., received working capital from Forward Financing). Entries must be submitted by an individual who is at least eighteen (18) years of age and authorized to act on behalf of the business. Employees, officers, and directors of the Sponsor and their immediate family members and household members are not eligible to enter. Limit one (1) entry per customer.

3. Contest Period

The Contest begins on August 10, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. ET. All submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 21, 2026 (the "Submission Deadline"). Late entries will not be considered.

4. How to Enter

Eligible participants may enter by one of three methods (one entry total across all methods):

5. Submission Requirements

Each entry must describe a real moment Forward Financing helped make possible. Accepted formats:

All entries must be the entrant's original work, must not infringe any third-party rights, and must relate to the entrant's own experience with Forward Financing. The Sponsor may disqualify non-compliant entries in its sole discretion.

6. Judging Criteria and Winner Selection

All eligible entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges selected by the Sponsor (the "Judging Panel") based on three equally weighted criteria:

The Judging Panel will select three (3) winners. Decisions are final and binding. In the event of a tie, the Panel will select based on overall narrative impact. Winners will be announced the week of August 24, 2026.

7. Prizes

Three (3) Grand Prizes of $5,000.00 each (total ARV: $15,000.00), awarded as grants to each winner's small business. Prizes are non-transferable. No substitution permitted. Prizes will be paid by electronic transfer, using banking information to be confirmed by winner.

8. Winner Notification

Potential winners will be notified by email and/or telephone the week of August 24, using the contact information provided in the entry form. Each potential winner must respond within seven (7) calendar days or the prize may be forfeited and an alternate selected. Winners may be required to complete an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability Release, Publicity Release (where permitted), and IRS Form W-9 within seven (7) days of receipt.

9. Intellectual Property / License Grant

By submitting an entry, each entrant represents and warrants that the entry is original and does not infringe any third-party rights. Each entrant grants the Sponsor a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, distribute, and display the entry in any media, including the Sponsor's website, social media, and marketing materials, without further compensation or approval. Entrants retain ownership subject to this license.

10. Publicity Release

Except where prohibited by law, acceptance of a prize constitutes consent for the Sponsor to use the winner's name, likeness, business name, and submission for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, in perpetuity, without additional compensation.

11. Limitations of Liability / Disclaimers

By entering, each entrant agrees to release and hold harmless the Sponsor and its parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, employees, officers, and directors (the "Released Parties") from any claims, damages, or losses arising out of participation in the Contest, acceptance or use of any prize, or any claims based on publicity rights, defamation, or intellectual property.

The Released Parties are not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, or incomplete entries; technical failures; viruses or unauthorized intervention; or any damage to any device resulting from participation. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE RELEASED PARTIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES.

12. Privacy

The Sponsor will collect and use personal information submitted in connection with entries solely for administering the Contest, contacting entrants, and fulfilling prizes. Information may also be used as described in the Sponsor's privacy policy. The Sponsor will not sell personal information to unaffiliated third parties.

13. Tax Obligations

All taxes are the sole responsibility of each winner. Because each prize exceeds $600, the Sponsor will issue IRS Form 1099-MISC to each winner. Winners must provide a completed W-9 prior to prize disbursement. Winners should consult their own tax advisors.

14. General Conditions

The Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify the Contest if fraud, technical failures, or any other factor impairs its integrity. The Sponsor may disqualify any individual who tampers with the Contest or violates these Rules. Any attempt to undermine the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law. The failure to enforce any provision shall not constitute a waiver. If any provision is found invalid, the remaining provisions remain in effect.

15. Governing Law and Disputes

These Rules and the Contest are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regard to conflicts of law principles. Any disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration before the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") in Boston, Massachusetts. To the fullest extent permitted by law, disputes shall be resolved individually without resort to class action, and awards limited to actual out-of-pocket costs.

16. Winner List

For a winner list, email marketing@forwardfinancing.com with subject "#MilestoneMoments Winner List" after announcement of the winners. Available for sixty (60) days following the announcement.

By entering the #MilestoneMoments Contest, each entrant acknowledges that they have read, understand, and agree to be bound by these Official Rules.

Sponsor: Forward Financing LLC, 53 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. Contact: marketing@forwardfinancing.com.