About us
Our
Mission
Catalyst’s mission is to mobilize philanthropic support and innovative approaches to address urgent, emergent, and chronic challenges no Sonoma Valley donor or organization can solve alone.
Our
Core Values
United
Bridging the many divides that beset our community—between and among nonprofits, donors, government entities, and diverse cultures.
Just
Addressing deep, long-standing economic and racial injustices that disenfranchise and impoverish thousands of Valley residents.
Resilient
Strengthening our community and reducing its vulnerability, so that we can better prepare for and withstand future crises and disruptions.
Our Origin Story
Catalyst was born in response to the pandemic, when our founding members gathered in a Sonoma Valley backyard to reckon with the urgent needs that were overwhelming local nonprofits and government.
We recognized the need to grow the philanthropic pie to fund new solutions that needed to be created quickly. In just months, we raised and distributed more than $1.3 million through 44 grants—funding the extra work that became necessary to keep people fed and housed, increase vaccine uptake, support mental health, and help small businesses survive.
Along the way, we recognized something bigger: some of Sonoma Valley’s hardest problems—housing, food insecurity, inequities—cannot be solved without the kind of extra resources Catalyst was created to provide. That realization led us to create a permanent pooled fund for Sonoma Valley—so we can continue responding to urgent needs while also creating long-term solutions to Sonoma Valley’s chronic challenges.
Our Relationship with Community Foundation Sonoma County
Catalyst is proud to partner with Community Foundation Sonoma County, a trusted philanthropic leader serving our county since 1983. The Community Foundation provides the institutional backbone for Catalyst's staff and operations—including fund management, grantmaking expertise, and philanthropic planning. Our partnership allows Catalyst to more effectively leverage our intimate knowledge of Sonoma Valley and maintain our focus on its unique needs. By joining forces, we're able to channel generosity more effectively, respond to community needs more nimbly, and help donors create lasting impact in Sonoma Valley today and for generations to come.
The Power of Place: The Catalyst Model
