The Catalyst Fund is a three-year pilot program that will award annual grants that aim to build the internal capacity of member orchestras to advance their understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and to foster effective EDI practices.

The Catalyst Fund grants will generally range from $10,000-$25,000. Orchestras are required to use the funds to support the costs of retaining a skilled EDI practitioner to advance EDI learning objectives. Grantees will be linked into a learning community that serves as a platform to share their learning, including a dedicated online forum as well as remote and in-person convenings. Examples of activities that may qualify for support include, but are not limited to, working with a consultant on some of the following:

•Capacity Building–helping board and staff leadership clarify and align their strategic thinking on this work.
•Planning, Alignment, and Readiness–supporting an EDI institutional audit, and/or supporting the development of an EDI plan.
•Improving Competencies–supporting EDI professional development, such as coaching, mentoring, or training for staff, board, and musicians.
•Measuring Progress–for those that have done initial work in EDI, this could include continued work such as a plan to identify progress markers and measure articulated goals and outcomes.
•Peer and Group-Based Learning– working with another League member in order to have a shared learning experience and have some economies of scale. (Applications from a group or consortium are welcome).

League member orchestras meeting the eligibility requirements will have until February 22, 2019 to apply. Applications will be reviewed by an independent panel of experts, and grant awards will
be announced by May 17, 2019