What to Know About Catalysts Together

Yes.

Are you looking to be challenged to think critically in a safe environment with your peers to make better decisions? Would you like to join a program that is responsive to your needs and your organization’s needs? Do you think investing in yourself can be a catalyst to strengthen your organization? Then Catalysts Together is the program for you.  Learn more about deciding to apply here.

The pilot program costs $3,500. Limited scholarships that reduce costs to $1,750 are available for organizations that have budgets under $1,000,000 and demonstrate need through a scholarship application. The scholarship application details will be released to eligible candidates who are invited to the Selection Event.

Payment arrangement information will be released to candidates who are invited to participate in the program. Acceptable forms of payment will include ACH and check.

The program is open to any executive leader and organization that fit the criteria, including past and aspiring Longwood Foundation grantees. Ideally, you will have at least 3 years’ experience as a paid Executive Director and manage paid staff. In addition, the following requirements apply:

• The leader must be the current, full-time, paid, Executive Director (or similar title)
• The organization must be a registered 501(c)(3) that serves the state of Delaware and/or Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
• The organization should ideally have a budget between $500,000 – $5,000,000. 

The program will accept up to 20 participants who will be placed into two cohort groups. The convenings, the retreat, and the intensive will include both cohort groups.

The Capacity Building Wallet is a financial incentive for leaders participating in their first year of Catalysts Together. This pot of opt-in funds is set aside per organization to be responsive to the unique capacity building needs of the leader and/or their organization. These funds allow leaders to test theories, fund uncommon needs and/or serve as learning investments for larger grant requests, all in service of advancing their organization. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Funding admission, travel and lodging to a national conference that will help the leader gain exposure
• Paying for a 4-week program for the leadership team on using data effectively

The amount of the Capacity Building Wallet per organization is yet to be determined but will be less than $10,000. Participants who opt in will be able to utilize the funds starting in January 2024. 

Catalysts Together pairs national vendors in leadership and nonprofit advancement with talented local vendors to execute a best-in-class leadership program.

While a formal recommendation is not required, selected participants must complete a commitment form and have it signed by their Board of Directors leadership. 

• Adam Lamb, Brandywine Valley SPCA
• AliShah Watson, Culture Restoration Project
• Ankur Arya, LYTE Scholars
• Dave Beaver, Delaware Center for Justice
• Drew Serres, Network Delaware
• Jennifer Thompkins, Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League
• Kate DuPont Phillips, Healthy Communities Delaware
• Linda Jennings, Community Education Building
• Logan Herring, The WRK Group (Warehouse, Kingswood, Reach Riverside)
• Louise Cummings, Supporting Kidds
• Markevis Gideon, NERDiT (for profit)/NERDiT Cares
• Molly Giordano, Delaware Art Museum
• Richard Garrett, Children’s Beach House