Catalyst Fund Purpose
As a component of the Celebrity Series of Boston’s Roxbury Initiative, the Catalyst Fund is a new resource designed to support our Roxbury partners and their local community projects. A selection committee will evaluate proposals based on their alignment with the partner’s mission and their potential community impact. Grants are expected to range from $4,000 to $7,000, with final amounts determined by the project's scope and the total number of recipients.
Applicant Eligibility Criteria:
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Applicants must be Roxbury-based and/or offer regular programming (ongoing or annually) or special events (annual festival or fundraiser, for example) benefiting Roxbury residents and supporting the community partner’s general mission.
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Community organizations only; artists must be selected by the applicant.
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Preference will be given to applicants who have partnered with Celebrity Series for a minimum of two years, in programs such as Neighborhood Arts, Artist Connections, Take Your Seat, or Public Performance Projects.
Project Eligibility Criteria:
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The project must involve arts programming (can be multi-disciplinary) taking place in Roxbury.
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Preference will be given to projects with increasing access to live performance or other formats (workshops, fundraisers, panel discussions, etc.) in areas such as creativity (skill building), historical knowledge, or health and wellness, for example.
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The proposed project should align closely with the applicant’s mission and contribute more broadly to supporting further visibility and outreach.
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Projects that improve performance capabilities within a Roxbury community space (ex. musical equipment upgrades or A/V equipment) benefiting residents at large are eligible.
Application Process:
Please complete the application, ensuring it includes your responses to the questions below, two letters of support from collaborative partners or artists you have worked with previously, and a project budget. The deadline for submission is Friday, January 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
*Please Note: The Selection Committee will review all proposals in February, and all applicants will be notified of the award decisions in March 2026.
Prompt Questions
- What is a specific, measurable goal within your organization’s core mission that the Catalyst Fund award will enable you to advance over the next year? (150-200 words)
- Describe the meaningful contribution and impact this proposed project will have specifically within the Roxbury community. (200-250 words)
- Provide a brief timeline for the project and it must include the following, (200 - 400 words)
- Identify the key staff members responsible for implementation and describe their relevant experience.
- What are the two biggest challenges or potential risks your team anticipates for this project, and what are your plans to mitigate them?
- Explain how you will utilize the award (reference and explain the budget in this section)
- How do you envision carrying out any learnings from this project forward after the grant period, specifically in the Roxbury community? (100 –150 words)