Round 3 celebrates local innovation and partnership, investing in programs that connect Birmingham youth to real-world career pathways.

Today, the Catalyze Challenge announced the launch of Round 5, a multi-phase national funding opportunity designed to support bold, early-stage ideas that help young people explore careers, build real-world skills, and discover their purpose. With $4 million in grants and awards, Round 5 aims to expand access to high-quality career-connected learning (CCL) pathways in communities across the country.

Applications are now open for Round Three of the Catalyze Birmingham Challenge, a grantmaking initiative offering up to $250,000 to advance career-connected learning across the Birmingham Region. The application window will close on November 7, 2025.

Catalyze Birmingham Challenge today announced the launch of Round 3 of its transformative grantmaking initiative, introducing a redesigned funding structure that elevates both innovative strategic partnerships and the expansion of proven career-connected learning programs across the Birmingham Region.

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.

Birmingham’s commitment to innovation and collaboration in the nonprofit sector shines once again with the announcement of the second round of winners for the Catalyze Birmingham Challenge.

Today, Catalyze announced Round Four of the Catalyze Challenge, which seeks programs with demonstrated success providing learners aged 11-22 with career-connected learning opportunities and pathways that bridge the gap between education and careers. This round of grants will fund organizations that are ready to scale and will focus on two primary themes — career exploration for young adolescents and activating industry partnerships.

Catalyze Birmingham has launched its second round of grant funding, designed to support nonprofit organizations in the greater Birmingham area that bridge the gap between education and career.

The first regional Catalyze Challenge in Birmingham, Ala., awarded $720,000 to five innovative nonprofits serving learners aged 11 to 22.