The Catalyst programme

The Catalyst Programme awards up to £500 to people on low incomes to pay for opportunities that make a difference. It is a simple, special and effective programme that can be designed to support absolutely anyone.

The Catalyst fund is aimed at individuals living on low incomes who struggle to access opportunities as a result. Catalyst partners and participating organisations will work with recipients, who are already engaged with them, to ensure the fund fulfils its purpose. Please note that individuals cannot apply directly.

Our evidence shows that small Catalyst grants unlock potential and increase wellbeing in people and provide partner organisations with a different and positive offer to those they support.

In Islington, Catalyst was set up in 2009, funded by our parent charity Cripplegate Foundation and then Cloudesley in 2011. It was expanded in 2016 and 2018 with funding from Islington Giving and Portal Trust. Together we fund 27 Catalyst partners in the borough to award Catalyst grants to people they work with.

Having run the Catalyst for 17 years – starting with the Adult Catalyst – we’ve captured key learnings which can be used in other communities, and stories that show how this approach changes lives. Watch this space for more on this.