The Catalyst Fund is a special grantmaking initiative designed to help our current grantees catalyze new ways of working.

Catalyst grants are entrepreneurial. Much like venture capital in the private sector, the Catalyst Fund is intended to incubate innovative ideas and catalyze new strategies, with the expectation that some may fall short and others will exceed expectations.

Catalyst grants supplement our other grantmaking programs by providing funding that goes beyond project or general support grants. Grantees use the funds for activities that may be critically important in the long run, but are often not part of their core budget.

Catalyst grants are opportunistic. First, we identify organizations that we believe are ready to take advantage of this kind of support and invite them to apply. Support comes initially in the form of a planning grant, with funds typically used to conduct research, convene leaders and develop plans. If a promising strategy emerges from the planning grant work, we may award multi-year funding for implementation of the strategy. Funding beyond the planning grant is not guaranteed, and a high level of engagement between the foundation and the grantee is required.

Long-term Goals

• Groups in our region stay ahead of the curve, anticipating changes in the external environment and developing strategies that address the shifting context.
• Groups working collaboratively strengthen their collective efforts, evolving to greater levels of effectiveness.
• Groups remain aware of innovations and best practices employed in other states and sectors and adopt those that enable them to increase their impact.

Types of Projects

• Improving strategic collaborations between organizations
• Increasing the effectiveness of communications
• Strengthening leadership at all levels of the organization

Funding Details

Typical grants, awarded at one of three board meetings held each year, range from $50,000 to $100,000 and can be awarded for multiple years. We do not accept inquiries for the Catalyst Fund; proposals are accepted by invitation only.