Frankenthaler Climate Initiative – Catalyst Grants

The Catalyst Grants offered under the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative (FCI) represent a streamlined funding opportunity intended to support small-scale, stand-alone energy efficiency projects within the visual arts sector. Administered by the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, a private nonprofit organization, FCI is the leading private grantmaking program in the U.S. focused exclusively on climate-related interventions in the visual arts. Since its establishment in 2021, the initiative has disbursed over $17.5 million in funding to more than 300 institutions across 40 states, demonstrating a firm commitment to sustainable operations and carbon reduction strategies within arts organizations. Catalyst Grants provide up to $20,000 in funding for projects that are "shovel ready"—those that require no further planning or assessment. These grants are ideal for institutions seeking to undertake quick-turnaround efforts in small spaces or as a first step toward more extensive sustainability work. In addition to financial support, grantees are eligible for up to five hours of in-project coaching to guide implementation. The grants are available to nonprofit visual arts institutions with a total annual operating budget at or below $500,000. These projects must be initiated between June 1 and August 31, 2026, and be completed no later than December 31, 2026. Catalyst Grants fall within a broader suite of support tiers offered by FCI, which also includes Scoping, Technical Assistance, and Implementation grants. Unlike the more complex options, Catalyst applications are relatively brief, involving a single submission round through the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation's grants portal. While submission of a draft application by February 27, 2026 is optional for Catalyst applicants, final applications are required and must be submitted no later than March 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. Award notifications are expected in May or June of 2026. Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations—or work with a vetted fiscal sponsor—whose primary mission and activities are centered on the visual arts. This includes, but is not limited to, art museums, nonprofit galleries, artist-endowed foundations, and arts-focused departments within universities. Organizations must also demonstrate the ability to track energy use through the EnergyStar Portfolio Manager system. Notably, Catalyst grants do not require a financial match and cannot be used for ineligible expenses such as travel, overhead, or lobbying. Evaluation of applications emphasizes alignment with institutional energy and climate goals, feasibility of execution within the project window, and clarity of project design. Reporting requirements include a completion report and a six-month post-completion update, both of which must include financial documentation and energy tracking data. Through the Catalyst Grant track, FCI aims to stimulate immediate, practical progress on sustainability for smaller institutions, reinforcing its mission to foster climate leadership in the visual arts sector while minimizing administrative burden.

Ensure your project is shovel-ready and does not require further planning. Demonstrate energy tracking capacity through EnergyStar Portfolio Manager.