Catalyst California
Catalyst California is a Los Angeles-based public charity that advocates for racial justice by building community power and transforming public systems. Its work includes budget and policy analysis, research, training, and campaign support, with a focus on advancing racial and economic equity in California.
Catalyst California at a glance
In short: Catalyst California gave $1.3M across 16 grants in 2024 (avg $80K), mostly in California. 69% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,272,100
- -39.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 16
- +166.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $79,506
- -77.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $60,000
- Total assets
- $11,229,272
- +17.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 69% first-time grantees (11 of 16, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Catalyst California
- Contact
Mailing address: 1910 West Sunset Blvd 500, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Phone: (213) 989-1300
Website: https://catalystcalifornia.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Catalyst California funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was California Calls Education Fund ($424K). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
91 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 68 grants of 91 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars listed for 2024 went to recipients in California. The grants included organizations in Los Angeles, Oakland, Long Beach, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Fresno.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Catalyst California open to new grantees?
69%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 16 grantees (69%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $52K; repeat grants $141K. How we count
Medians: $60K first-time, $100K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $587K (2022) to $2.1M (2023). In 2024 it made 16 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California Calls Education Fund Los Angeles, CA | Budget Power Project -Million Voters Project | $424,000 |
| East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Econo Oakland, CA | Budget Power Project -Million Voters Project | $115,000 |
| Khmer Girls in Action Long Beach, CA | Budget Power Project -Million Voters Project | $115,000 |
| Power California Los Angeles, CA | Budget Power Project -Million Voters Project | $115,000 |
| Tides Advocacy San Francisco, CA | Budget Power Project -Million Voters Project | $115,000 |
| California Budget & Policy Center Sacramento, CA | Budget Power Project -Million Voters Project | $100,000 |
| Fresno Building Healthy Communities Fresno, CA | Budget Power Project -Million Voters Project | $60,000 |
| Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy Los Angeles, CA | Budget Power Project -Million Voters Project | $60,000 |
| Strategic Concepts in Organizing & Policy Los Angeles, CA | Budget Power Project -Million Voters Project | $60,000 |
| Community Coalition Los Angeles, CA | Budget Power Project -Million Voters Project | $57,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Catalyst California?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11,229,272 | $13,315,716 | $11,239,371 | $1,272,100 | 16 | $785,696 |
| 2023 | $9,584,913 | $6,436,201 | $11,161,797 | $2,117,367 | 6 | $2,419 |
| 2022 | $12,728,275 | $16,322,929 | $14,293,438 | $586,675 | 13 | $118,260 |
| 2021 | $28,800,664 | $13,680,173 | $15,766,142 | $702,832 | 18 | $255,401 |
| 2020 | $30,300,325 | $24,548,157 | $15,145,308 | $1,177,400 | 38 | $70,619 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Catalyst California’s stated mission is to partner with communities of color, conduct innovative research, develop policies for actionable change, and shift money and power back into communities.
Its 2024 filing describes work in equity in community investments, educational equity, political voice, and reimagining justice and safety. The organization says its budget and advocacy work equips communities of color to pursue sustainable public investment, while its education work seeks a racially just and relationship-centered B-12 system. Its political-voice work aims to make government more participatory and representative, and its justice-and-safety work addresses racial disparities in policing, incarceration, and exposure to violence.
The 2024 grants included support for organizations with missions related to community policy engagement, youth voting, leadership development, budget research, healthy communities, worker conditions, and advocacy for Trans Latin communities. For example, California Calls Education Fund describes itself as an alliance that educates and engages communities of color and working-class neighborhoods in public policy; Power California says it mobilizes young voters of color and their families; and the California Budget & Policy Center says it provides independent research, analysis, and public education on economic opportunity and well-being.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Catalyst California reported 16 grants totaling $1,272,100. Grant amounts ranged from $6,100 to $424,000, with a median of $60,000. The largest listed grant was $424,000 to California Calls Education Fund for the “Budget Power Project - Million Voters Project.” Other notable grants for that project were $115,000 each to East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy, Khmer Girls in Action, Power California, and Tides Advocacy; $100,000 to California Budget & Policy Center; and $60,000 each to Fresno Building Healthy Communities, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, and Strategic Concepts in Organizing & Policy. The TransLatin Coalition and Plaza Community Services each received grants for the “Bold Vision Youth Thriving Survey,” of $12,000 and $10,000, respectively.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists John Kim as president/CEO; Fred Ali as chair; Maria Cabildo as vice chair; and Stephen R. English, Esq., as secretary/treasurer. It also lists Chrissie Castro, Sandra Celedon, James Head, Barry S. Litt, Monica Lozano, and Molly Munger, Esq., as board members.
Catalyst California is led by John Kim, President & CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 7 of 19 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John Kim
President & CEO
Executive Director Ca → President & CEO, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$213K (2020) → $335K (2024)
Fred Ali
Chair
Board Member → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2022
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jorge Jimenez
Finance-Budget & Grants Management Director
CFO → Finance-Budget & Grants Management Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$167K (2022) → $197K (2024)
Wendelyn Killian
Executive Vice President
Managing Director of Organizat → Deputy Director, 2021
Deputy Director → Executive Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$160K (2020) → $240K (2024)
John Dobard
Vice President of Policy & Programs
Managing Director of Policy Program → Vice President of Policy & Programs, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$141K (2022) → $170K (2024)
Mike Russo
Vice President of Policy & Programs
Managing Director → Vice President of Policy & Programs, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$137K (2022) → $164K (2024)
Vickie Ramos Harris
Vice President of Policy & Programs
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$143K (2023) → $156K (2024)
Leena Mathew
Chief Financial Officer
New on the 2024 filing
25 hrs/week
$101K (2024)
Alberto Retana
Board Member
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barry S. Litt
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Molly Munger Esq.
Board Member
President → Brd. Chair & President, 2022
Brd. Chair & President → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen R. English Esq.
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chrissie Castro
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maria Cabildo
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Monica Lozano
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Celedon
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Wilson
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Head
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kaci Patterson
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (23)
- Former: Arlene Holt Baker (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Bill Lann Lee Esq. (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Connie L. Rice (2020–2023) — Founding Co-Director
- Former: Tom Unterman (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Anthony Thigpenn (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Christopher Ringewald (2022–2023) — Senior Director of Res. & Data Analysis
- Former: Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Daniel Alejandro Leon-Davis (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Edward A. Hailes Jr. (2020–2022) — General Counsel
- Former: Giovanni A. Cozzarelli (2020–2022) — CFO
- Former: Harry Belafonte (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Helen Kim (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jesse Williams (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Joe Alvarez (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Judith A. Browne Dianis (2020–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: April Verrett (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Gilda Daniels (2020–2021) — Director of Litigation
- Former: Andi Ryder (2021) — Managing Director of Development
- Former: Katherine L. Smith (2021) — Director of Communications
- Former: Karla Howell (2020) — Chief of Policy & Programs
- Former: Katherine Peck - To (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Rinku Sen - To (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Zerline Hughes (2020) — Director of Communications
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $335K, to John Kim (President/CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Catalyst California
How much does Catalyst California give each year?
Catalyst California gave $1.3M across 16 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.1M across 6 grants.
What is Catalyst California's typical grant size?
Catalyst California's median grant in 2024 was $60,000, and its average grant was $79,506, across 16 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Catalyst California that year got $52K on average.
Where does Catalyst California give grants?
Catalyst California gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (8 grants) and Long Beach, CA (2 grants).
Does Catalyst California give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 16 grants with a stated purpose on Catalyst California's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Budget Power Project -Million Voters Project" (10 grants).
Who are Catalyst California's largest grantees?
Catalyst California's largest 2024 grantees include California Calls Education Fund ($424,000), East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Econo ($115,000) and Khmer Girls in Action ($115,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 51% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Catalyst California?
Catalyst California reported $11.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $13.3M.
What does Catalyst California fund?
Catalyst California’s stated mission is to partner with communities of color, conduct innovative research, develop policies for actionable change, and shift money and power back into communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Catalyst California?
Catalyst California has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check catalystcalifornia.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Catalyst California's EIN?
Catalyst California's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4835230. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 16, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Catalyst California's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Catalyst California funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/catalyst-california-morg_eb3562b3a6d7448fa9bd39ebcc1fbe43
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_954835230_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Catalyst California funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/catalyst-california-morg_eb3562b3a6d7448fa9bd39ebcc1fbe43},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Catalyst California's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Catalyst California down — hundreds of funders to go?