Catalyst Now Awards
Celebrating Donors For Systemic Change
The solutions and real-world impact exist, but the right people, resources, and systems are not yet aligned. Each year, the Catalyst Now Awards celebrate the allies, funders, and co-creators who bridge that gap between solutions and alignment, recognising social innovators who understand that systems change demands more than traditional funding.
Leader in Partnership
This award celebrates individuals and organizations who work in true partnership, lifting funders who acknowledge and work against power dynamics, are relational over transactional, listen to what systems change leaders need, and provide targeted financial and non-financial support in an effort to co-create the desired impact approach and appropriate funding structure. These funders take time to build trust with their grantees, including through regular, honest, and respectful discussions, and/or by simplifying and right-sizing the application and reporting effort.
View judging criteria for 2026
Finalists 2026
Blood:Water
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Blood:Water is a collaborative intermediary that funds and strengthens African community-led organizations advancing local solutions to end health disparities at the intersection of HIV/AIDS and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Rooted in the belief that communities must be at the forefront of shaping their own health and resilience, Blood:Water combines flexible, long-term funding with tailored organizational strengthening to foster strong, resilient, and autonomous African-led organizations. Through this integrated partnership model, Blood:Water advances a future where local communities lead transformative change, sustain solutions that reflect their priorities, and drive lasting health and resilience across Africa.
Greenwood Place
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Greenwood Place is a team of philanthropy experts with decades of experience supporting individuals, families and foundations. Their services include due diligence, grant management, and curated learning opportunities. Leveraging their network of experts and peers, they empower new and experienced philanthropists to tackle social and environmental challenges with confidence. At Greenwood Place, they believe philanthropy drives meaningful change.
Mortenson Family Foundation
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Mortenson Family Foundation builds partnerships to strengthen community-driven approaches that advance equity, opportunity, and sustainable systems. We engage our individual compassions and interests as stewards, rooted in shared values, to work, learn, and do something remarkable together.