Catalyze Challenge . 10/22/26 Catalyze Challenge . 10/22/26

Starting Early, Staying Engaged: What It Takes to Keep Employers at the Table

During a recent webinar, Catalyze Director Dr. Michelle Cheang and CareerWise Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Bothun discussed how early, sector-wide employer engagement strengthens career-connected learning. They were joined by panelists Mary J. Beaudette of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Billy Mansour of Emerson.

Catalyze Challenge . 9/29/26 Catalyze Challenge . 9/29/26

Regional Career-Connected Learning Strategy Expands With $1.5 Million Catalyze Pittsburgh Challenge

Catalyze continues to expand its national funding strategy to the next region with the $1.5 million Catalyze Pittsburgh Challenge.

Catalyze Challenge . 9/22/26 Catalyze Challenge . 9/22/26

Catalyze Announces $4 Million in Grants to Connect Young People to Career Exploration

The fifth round of the Catalyze Challenge provides $4 million to fund 14 innovative career-connected learning projects underway across the country.

Dr. Michelle Cheang 9/21/26 Dr. Michelle Cheang 9/21/26

Why We Changed the Way We Fund Good Ideas After Five Years

Since 2021, Catalyze has awarded more than $22 million and built a community of practice spanning more than 100 organizations. Dr. Michelle Cheang, Director of Catalyze, shares how the grantmaking process behind those numbers has evolved, and what five years of listening to grantees has taught the team along the way.

Catalyze Challenge . 8/18/26 Catalyze Challenge . 8/18/26

Five Years of Catalyze: What We've Learned About Innovation in Career-Connected Learning

As one of the leaders who helped shape Catalyze from the beginning, Jamie Jutila, Senior Program Officer for the Walton Family Foundation Education Program and Chair of the Catalyze Advisory Board, reflects on how both the initiative and the broader career-connected learning field have evolved over the past five years and where they may be headed next.

Catalyze Challenge . 7/7/26 Catalyze Challenge . 7/7/26

Five Things We’re Excited to See at Horizons

As we head to Horizons, we're excited to reconnect with members of the Catalyze community and learn from partners and programs across the country that are also helping more young people access meaningful pathways to the future. Every conference offers a chance to step back, reflect on what’s working, and gather new ideas that can strengthen our collective efforts. Here are five things we’re especially excited to explore in D.C.

Jackiez Gonzalez 7/1/26 Jackiez Gonzalez 7/1/26

Voices from the Field: How Grantees Are Defining Scale in Their Own Contexts

In May, we shared how Catalyze designs our Learning Labs to move beyond traditional networking and create space for meaningful peer learning. There, we highlighted insights from our panel discussion featuring leaders from CareerWise and Propel America, who offered reflections on what it takes to scale impact thoughtfully and sustainably.

Catalyze Challenge . 5/27/26 Catalyze Challenge . 5/27/26

Voices from the Field: Key Takeaways on Sensible Scaling

During our May Community of Practice gathering, Catalyze hosted a conversation on sensible scaling, exploring what it takes to grow impact while maintaining quality, strong partnerships, and long-term sustainability.