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. These two-year grants focus on career exploration for young adolescents and activating industry partnerships and are expected to positively impact more than 60,000 learners.
Round Four of the Catalyze Challenge received over 300 applications from organizations across the U.S. working to scale transformative, direct-service career-connected learning solutions. The four grantees distinguished themselves through strategic and innovative approaches—demonstrating strong cross-sector alignment, effective employer engagement, measurable learning outcomes, and a clear path to sustainability.
“The Round Four grantee cohort demonstrates the power of pairing innovative education models with strong industry and employer partnerships. These organizations are creating dynamic, career-connected learning experiences that open real pathways to meaningful futures. By bridging the gap between the classroom and the world of work, this cohort is helping young learners imagine what’s possible—and confidently pursue what’s next.”
The Four Winners of Round Four of the Catalyze Challenge
American Student Opportunity Collaborative will use Catalyze funding to expand virtual and in-person middle school career exploration programming to rural communities in two states (CO, OH) through their partnership with National Rural Education Association.
CareerWise USA will use Catalyze funding to implement two new employer-driven youth apprenticeship models in Colorado and New York through sector strategies that activate industry associations and business intermediary organizations.
Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation will use Catalyze funding to expand ElevateEdAZ’s structured career exploration and work-based learning to seven new high schools in Arizona via meaningful employer partnerships and co-designed CTE programs.
Propel America will use Catalyze funding to launch new earn-and-learn pathways in the healthcare industry for Medical Assistant and Pharmacy Technician roles in Los Angeles and Philadelphia alongside three new employer partners.
Round Four Portfolio
One of the key challenges in expanding access to CCL is ensuring that programs can reach a broader range of learners while maintaining meaningful, high-quality outcomes. Round Four represents a strategic investment in innovative models that are being adapted and expanded to new locations and/or sectors. These efforts intentionally bridge education, workforce development, and industry needs through long-term partnerships. Each organization is building on a proven foundation to unlock access for low-income learners ages 11–22, while testing how their approach can drive impact in diverse contexts.
The Round Four portfolio increases the reach of career-connected learning to middle and high school students and engages young people in exploring in-demand career pathways and industries of the future. Round Four grantees are also leveraging innovative coalitions of partnerships between employers, industry partners, and educators to expand student access to meaningful career-connected learning.
Round Four funding will:
Expand career-connected learning opportunities, ensuring more students gain exposure to in-demand careers
Accelerate credential attainment, preparing learners for high-wage, high-demand jobs
Strengthen work-based learning opportunities, enabling real-world experience and industry integration
Increase employment placement rates, driving economic mobility and reducing workforce gaps
Each Round Four grantee organization represents a high-potential, early-stage, or evolving model aligned with Catalyze’s commitment to investing in innovation and generating insights that can inform the broader field of career-connected learning.
Round Four of the Catalyze Challenge was supported by American Student AssistanceⓇ (ASA), Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Charles Koch Foundation, and the Walton Family Foundation.
Follow Catalyze on LinkedIn to stay up to date and learn more about our new cohort of Round Four Catalyze grantees and their impact on learners across the U.S.
About Catalyze
Catalyze exists to jumpstart innovations in the field of career-connected learning (CCL), working to ensure learners ages 11 - 22 have access to transformative career-connected learning that integrates education and career, allowing them to discover their aptitudes and purpose and leading them to rewarding careers.
Since 2021, Catalyze has awarded over $17 million in grants to support more than 65 initiatives, positively impacting over 45,000 learners nationwide.
With an active and growing community of practice composed of leaders and practitioners from both national and regional Catalyze organizations, Catalyze is positioned to be at the forefront of innovation and learning in CCL.
