Catalyze Birmingham Challenge
Round 3 of the Catalyze Birmingham Challenge surfaced and funded innovations serving learners aged 11-22 in the Birmingham, Alabama region that fit one of two tracks:
cross-sector partnerships or high-quality expansions
The Catalyze Birmingham Challenge seeks transformative career-connected learning solutions to build a more equitable economy and create opportunities for upward mobility in Central Alabama.
Round 3 reflected a redesigned funding structure, that seeded new local collaborations while amplifying what works. For the first time, applicants applied for up to $250,000 under one of two distinct tracks: cross-sector partnerships or high-quality expansions.
Track One: Cross-Sector Partnerships
Designed for local organizations to build new, collaborative programs by joining forces with employers, community-based groups, service providers, and other stakeholders. Organizations are invited to submit applications as formal partnerships and may receive a funded planning period (up to six months) to further develop their ideas.
Track Two: High-Quality Expansions
Designed for local or national organizations with a proven track record to partner with community-based organizations and bring high-quality, scalable models to Birmingham at scale.
Applications were due on November 7, 2025.
Catalyze Birmingham Releases Its First Impact Report
Catalyze Birmingham's first Impact Report, covering 2023–2026, documents what happens when a region invests in its young people and the organizations that serve them.
By bringing together philanthropy, employers, nonprofits, schools, and workforce partners around a shared vision, Catalyze Birmingham is showing how regional collaboration can strengthen an entire career-connected learning ecosystem.
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