A catalyst for accelerating innovation in career-connected learning.

Career-connected learning bridges the gap between students’ passions and the evolving needs of industry, opening doors to fulfilling career pathways that align with their interests and aspirations. At its core, career-connected learning empowers young people by increasing their sense of agency—the belief that they can shape their own futures through informed choices and purposeful action.

Catalyze invests in bold, forward-thinking initiatives that make this vision possible. We support the launch and growth of innovative programs that equip young people with the skills and experiences they need to pursue careers that are both meaningful and attainable—through pathways tailored to their individual goals and potential.

We accelerate innovation in career-connected learning.

Since 2021, Catalyze has awarded more than $17 million to over 65 initiatives through national and regional challenges, with a positive impact on more than 45,000 learners. The Catalyze community works across the United States to plan, pilot and implement solutions that provide students with career-connected learning opportunities.

More than any generation before them, today’s young people will face a nonlinear path throughout their career journeys. Career-connected learning prepares young people for this dynamic cycle by helping them gain deeper insights into their own strengths, interests and aspirations — in turn, allowing them to continuously refine their capabilities, develop high agency and adapt to evolving industry demands.

NEWS + INSIGHTS

NEWS + INSIGHTS

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Catalyze Awards $3.5 Million to Four Organizations Committed to Expanding Career-Connected Learning Opportunities Nationwide
Catalyze Awards $3.5 Million to Four Organizations Committed to Expanding Career-Connected Learning Opportunities Nationwide

Catalyze today announced the winners of Round Four of the Catalyze Challenge. In total, four organizations will receive $3.5 million to expand career-connected learning (CCL) opportunities and support meaningful outcomes for learners aged 11-22.

Career-Connected Learning: Educator Resources to Get You Started
Career-Connected Learning: Educator Resources to Get You Started

At SXSW EDU 2025, the Catalyze community hosted a standing-room-only workshop—underscoring the growing demand for expanding access to CCL for all learners. Through interactive exercises, participants explored practical, learner-centered strategies that support middle and high school students to build agency to chart their own career paths.

Catalyzing the Journey at SXSW EDU 2025
Catalyzing the Journey at SXSW EDU 2025

What was the biggest takeaway from Catalyze at SXSW EDU 2025? Careers aren’t linear, and neither is learning. Career-Connected Learning (CCL) provides the roadmap that empowers all learners to design their own journeys.

Webinar Recap: Insights & Learnings from the Catalyze Community of Practice
Webinar Recap: Insights & Learnings from the Catalyze Community of Practice

Catalyze’s recent webinar Insights and Learnings from the Catalyze Community of Practice brought together leaders from CUNY, New Bridge Cleveland and nXu for an engaging conversation about social capital and a holistic approach to career-connected learning.

Join Catalyze at SXSW EDU 2025
Join Catalyze at SXSW EDU 2025

Catalyze can’t wait to see you at SXSW EDU 2025! We will host two sessions this year — both designed to strengthen the career-connected learning community and unlock insights and ideas that advance fulfilling career opportunities for learners around the country.

Driving Local Impact: Catalyze Birmingham's Place-Based Mission
Driving Local Impact: Catalyze Birmingham's Place-Based Mission

Birmingham emerged as the ideal location to launch the first regional Catalyze Challenge, embodying the transformative power of localized impact. These initiatives were so successful that Birmingham ran a second round of the challenge and recently announced grantees.

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