Catalyst Program State-Level Grants

The Catalyst State-by-State Advocacy Program provides funding and technical assistance to support state-level policy change through coalition building and grassroots advocacy to increase access to life-saving colorectal cancer screening.

Geographic Scope: Multi-state program currently operating in 12 states as of 2026, with recent expansion to Georgia, Hawaii, Missouri, and Nevada in 2026. Previously included: New York, New Jersey, Indiana, Virginia, Arkansas, and others.

Focus Areas:

• Increasing colorectal cancer screening access
• Removing out-of-pocket costs for colonoscopy
• Insurance coverage for screening beginning at age 45
• Medicaid expansion for screening modalities
• Pharmacist education and screening provision
• Underinsured and uninsured population access
• Low-income and medically underserved populations

Eligibility:

• State-level advocacy organizations and coalitions
• Organizations focused on colorectal cancer screening policy
• Geographic focus on designated states

What They Fund:

• State-level legislative and policy change initiatives
• Coalition building and grassroots advocacy efforts
• Technical assistance for advocacy work

Program History & Impact:

• Launched in 2019
• Fourth year of state-level grants as of 2026
• Has supported advocacy efforts in 12 states
• Bills signed into law in 8 states
• Current focus: Georgia (insurance coverage), Hawaii (uninsured/underinsured), Missouri (pharmacist roles), Nevada (Medicaid coverage)

Funding Sources: Exact Sciences (primary unrestricted grant), Genentech, Bristol Myers Squibb, No-Shave November

Context: One-third of eligible adults not up to date with CRC screening. Unlike many cancers, colorectal cancer is preventable if caught early.