Deadline: 9-May-23
Nominations are now open for the Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award to celebrate women of color who are building a healthier, safer, and more just world.
Scope of Work
- Academic Research
- Access & Inclusion
- Arts & Humanities
- Biodiversity & Ecology
- Business & Finance
- Climate & Energy
- Communications, Journalism & Media
- Conservation
- Consulting
- Education
- Electoral Politics
- Engineering & Technology
- Faith & Spirituality
- Food & Agriculture
- Government
- Health
- Law and Policy
- Organizing & Activism
- Philanthropy
- Pollution & Waste
- Recreation
- Science
- Social Justice
- Urban Planning
- Water
- Youth
- Other
Award Details
- Each year, the Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award provides women environmental leaders of color with personal ($10,000) and organizational ($5,000, if applicable) grants, wraparound leadership services, and public recognition.
- Awardees are also offered: group coaching; an awardee-only retreat; virtual community connections; compensated speaking opportunities; and participation in other Rachel’s Network programs and events.
Who is this Award for?
Women of color from all kinds of professional and advocacy backgrounds are encouraged to apply, but they will be prioritizing women at the midpoint of their career. While the list below is not exclusive, potential awardees might be:
- Writers and poets documenting the beauty of the natural world
- Organizers defending their communities, neighborhoods, and land
- Educators nurturing young advocates
- Farmers creating a just food system
- Documentarians and journalists covering environmental injustice
- Faith leaders communicating the moral imperative for change
- Lawyers working to protect the air, lands, water, and wildlife
- Champions of good nutrition, wellness, and health
- Scientists, researchers, and academics helping them better understand the planet
- Entrepreneurs creating social and economic change
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible organizations include: 501(c)(3) nonprofits, organizations fiscally sponsored by 501(c)(3) s, and tribal governments.
- To qualify, candidates must:
- Identify as a woman of color
- Have focused on environmental issues for at least 10 years.
- All candidates must apply to the award to be considered.
- You must be a resident of the United States, American Indian and Alaska Native areas, or US Territories (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands).
- They are so grateful for your commitment to environmental stewardship through your public service. But, as a 501(c)(3), Rachel’s Network cannot provide prizes to those currently running for an elected position or serving as an elected official.
Evaluation Criteria
- Candidates will be evaluated by:
- How clearly they explain their vision and its importance in the broader environmental movement;
- How persistent they are in engaging with environmental work;
- Their mindfulness about leadership growth and learning; and
- The potential for the network to play a catalytic role in the candidate’s work, defined as how impactful the award—prize money, networking/connections, and leadership opportunities—would be to a candidate, their work, and the community they represent. This measurement aims to prioritize candidates who may be coming from under-resourced communities or working at under-resourced organizations/coalitions.
For more information, visit Rachel’s Network.