Catalyst Award

Mission: Honors women leaders of color for their commitment to a healthy planet and provides financial support, wraparound leadership services, and public recognition.

The Catalyst Award recognizes and supports women environmental leaders of color who are advancing environmental justice, climate action, food sovereignty, energy equity, marine science, and other environmental solutions. The award addresses the disparity in funding for women and girls of color, particularly in the environmental sector.

Key Facts

• First awarded: 2019 (third annual award announced December 2021; fourth annual announced November 2022)
• Geographic scope: National (US-based organizations)
• Focus areas: Environmental justice, climate justice, clean energy, water protection, food systems, community organizing, marine science, disaster recovery, sustainability
• Eligibility: Women leaders of color advancing environmental work; their affiliated organizations
• Awards provided: Cash prizes, networking opportunities, public recognition, wraparound leadership services
• Impact to date: Over 85 awardees, finalists, and semi-finalists supported; nearly $1 million granted (as of November 2022)

Awardees (Recent Cycles)

2022 Awardees (5 selected):

• Colette Pichon Battle, Taproot Earth, Bayou Liberty, LA
• Fatuma Emmad, FrontLine Farming, Denver, CO
• Cherri Foytlin, Movement Training Network, Tierra Amarilla, NM
• Zulene Mayfield, Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living, Chester, PA
• Ciara Williams, PLAN: The Post-Landfill Action Network, Chester, PA

2021 Awardees (6 selected):

• Huda Alkaff, Wisconsin Green Muslims, Milwaukee, WI
• Dr. Na'Taki Osborne Jelks, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, Atlanta, GA
• Dr. Virginia Necochea, New Mexico Environmental Law Center, Albuquerque, NM
• Daphany Sanchez, Kinetic Communities, Brooklyn, NY
• Dr. Nikki Traylor-Knowles, Black Women in Ecology, Evolution and Marine Science, Miami, FL
• Vi Pangunnaaq Waghiyi, Alaska Community Action on Toxics, Anchorage, AK

Application Process

Application Cycle: Opens in early 2023 (expected annual opening)

Selection Process:

• Final awardees are selected by a committee of former awardees
• Applications reviewed competitively
• Public announcement of awardees and finalists

To Support the Award:
Contributions can be made to the Catalyst Award through Rachel's Network's website to support women environmental leaders of color.

Note: Specific application materials, narrative questions, and submission format not detailed in provided website content. Visit website or contact Rachel's Network directly for current application details and deadlines.