Each year, the Catalyst Award celebrates women environmental champions by providing financial grants, wraparound leadership support, and public recognition to nominees whose work demonstrates tangible impact in their communities, fields, and broader movements.
About the Catalyst Award
Established by Rachel’s Network — a nonprofit community dedicated to empowering women leaders at the intersection of environmental advocacy, philanthropy, and leadership — the Catalyst Award addresses the historic underrepresentation and under-funding of women of color in environmental leadership roles.
The award is designed to celebrate women who are building a healthier planet through courageous leadership, strategic action, and community transformation.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Environmental leadership is essential to addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and environmental injustice. Yet historically, women — especially women of color — have faced systemic barriers to funding, recognition, and access to networks that can accelerate their impact.
Data shows that women and girls of color receive a disproportionately small share of foundation funding, despite being among the most active and effective environmental advocates worldwide. The Catalyst Award directly addresses this gap by centering mid-career women leaders of color and providing them with the resources, recognition, and leadership support they deserve.
By elevating women environmental leaders, the award not only advances individual careers but also strengthens broader movements for environmental justice, community resilience, and equitable climate action. Recipients have worked on issues ranging from sustainable agriculture and water justice to climate advocacy, conservation, and food systems reform — illustrating the diversity and interconnected nature of environmental leadership.
This award highlights the value of representation and investment in women of color who bring critical perspectives, innovative solutions, and deep community connections to environmental work.
Eligibility and Who Should Apply
The Catalyst Award is for women of color — including individuals who identify as non-binary, gender expansive, or otherwise — who are at the midpoint of their careers with significant environmental leadership experience and potential for further impact.
While women from diverse professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply, the following types of leaders are representative of past nominees and awardees:
- Organizers defending communities and land rights
- Educators nurturing young advocates
- Farmers advancing food justice and sustainable agriculture
- Journalists and documentarians amplifying environmental narratives
- Faith leaders elevating moral imperatives for environmental action
- Scientists and researchers advancing planetary understanding
- Entrepreneurs driving equitable social and economic change
Applicants do not need to be nominated to apply; nomination is optional but may help signal support. Once nominations are submitted, nominees will be contacted to complete the full application.
The program is open to women environmental leaders of color who are U.S. residents — including those in American Indian, Alaska Native areas, and U.S. territories — regardless of citizenship status.
Award Benefits and Support
Each year, the Catalyst Award provides recipients with:
- A personal grant to support leadership development and personal goals
- An organizational grant (if applicable) to support the nominee’s affiliated nonprofit or initiative
- Wraparound leadership services including mentoring, networking, and cohort engagement
- Public recognition that elevates the awardees’ visibility and influence within environmental and advocacy communities
The Catalyst Award provides significant financial support and recognition to help women leaders scale their impact and strengthen their movements.
Winners receive personal grants of $15,000 and organizational grants of $10,000 (if applicable), along with wraparound leadership services and public recognition.
Awardees are encouraged to engage in cohort programming such as webinars, retreats, and community events, and often participate as mentors or selection committee members in subsequent cycles.
Application Timeline & How to Apply
Deadline for submissions: 31 March 2026. Learn more and apply on the official website.
To be ready, prospective applicants should prepare a strong narrative that articulates their leadership journey, environmental impact, and vision for future change. Nominations are optional but can serve as a supportive endorsement.
Looking for more opportunities? Explore the latest global calls on the Opportunities for Youth website.