The Catalyst and Transformation (CAT) Fund
The Catalyst and Transformation (CAT) Fund provides financial support to Ontario arts organizations to investigate, plan, and implement substantive change in their operations.
Catalyst and Transformation (CAT) Fund: Call for Applications New Funding Opportunity Supports Substantive Change for Ontario Non-profit Arts Organizations Toronto, ON (September 16, 2024)
Work in Culture is pleased to announce the return of the Catalyst and Transformation, or CAT, Fund, which provides funding to Ontario-based arts organizations to investigate, plan, and implement substantive change in their operations. Funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, the City of Toronto, the Metcalf Foundation, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Azrieli Foundation, with support from Toronto Arts Council, the CAT Fund is designed to catalyze and assist Ontario non-profit arts organizations in exploring organizational change in a supportive environment.
Project grants of up to $15,000 are available to explore new operational directions and possibilities, and of up to $25,000 to implement significant changes like restructuring, rebuilding, or reforming the way the organization works and operates. “Many arts organizations are exploring pressing questions about their future – questions of survival, adaptation, and evolution. The CAT Fund is here to provide the crucial financial support needed to navigate these challenges,” said Diane Davy, Executive Director of Work in Culture. “In this moment, change isn’t just necessary – it's vital. We commend the program funders for their collective vision and commitment to supporting Ontario’s arts organizations through this transformative time.”
This program follows a successful 2021 pilot initiative that supported Toronto creative sector organizations in navigating transformation and change, including substantive restructuring, mergers, structured partnerships, hibernations, and wind-downs. Ontario-based non-profit arts and arts service organizations, including artist collectives operating on a non-profit basis, are invited to apply now for funding through this program. 2 Advancing the careers of artists, creatives, and cultural workers.
Program Details:
The CAT Fund supports arts organizations through the process of exploring and identifying, and, if applicable, implementing substantive change in their operations. Substantive change may include:
- Making shifts to new business models and organizational structures
- Forming strategic partnerships with other organizations
- Developing or implementing strategies and engaging expertise to transform capacity or explore new directions
- Addressing organizational life-cycle questions like succession planning, mergers, new leadership structures, or wind-downs
The program funds projects in two distinct phases of organizational change:
Exploration Projects (up to $15,000), and Implementation Projects (up to $25,000). Applicants can apply and receive support for either, or both, phases.
Projects must start between February 1 and April 30, 2025. Applicant organizations must be based in Ontario, have been in operation for more than 3 years, and have total revenues of $5 million or under.
Applications will be accepted from September 16 to November 8, 2024. Learn more about the program guidelines, eligibility criteria, and how to apply at workinculture.ca/programs/cat-fund. Interested applicants can also register for program information sessions happening online on September 24, 2024 at 10 am ET and October 24, 2024 at 2 pm ET.
The CAT Fund is funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, the City of Toronto, the Metcalf Foundation, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Azrieli Foundation, with the support of Toronto Arts Council. It is administered by Work in Culture.