North Valley THRIVE Catalyst Fund

North Valley THRIVE has launched the Catalyst Fund, a $9 million grant initiative aimed at fostering economic growth and resilience in the North San Joaquin Valley. This funding opportunity is designed to support transformative projects that align with the region’s strategic priorities and have the potential to generate long-term economic impact. The Catalyst Fund is structured to support projects at different stages of development, ensuring that innovative ideas have the resources needed to scale and succeed. Eligible applicants for the Catalyst Fund include public and private incorporated entities, government organizations, and Tribal entities that can enter into contracts, manage funds, and comply with project requirements. To qualify, projects must align with one or more priority sectors and cross-cutting strategies identified in the North San Joaquin Valley Strategic Regional Plan. The grant encourages initiatives that contribute to regional economic development and demonstrate measurable impact. The funding is divided into three phases based on project maturity. The Idea Stage provides up to $50,000 for early-stage concepts such as feasibility studies and pilot programs. The Developmental Stage offers up to $500,000 for projects that are refining their approach, securing additional resources, or conducting environmental assessments. The Investment Stage awards up to $2 million for initiatives that are ready for full-scale implementation and require final testing and stakeholder engagement. The application process follows a structured timeline. A webinar will be held on February 28, 2025, to provide an overview of the grant opportunity. The solicitation period opens on March 7, 2025, and applications must be submitted by April 11, 2025. An evaluation and workshop period will take place between April 11 and May 27, 2025, with award announcements scheduled for May 29, 2025. Contracts will be approved by June 10, 2025. Additionally, a second round of solicitations is expected to open in the fall of 2025. Applicants must submit proposals that clearly articulate how their projects align with regional priorities and demonstrate their capacity to execute the proposed initiative within the funding period. Additional resources, including the Catalyst Framework and an information webinar recording, are available to guide applicants through the process. Interested organizations are encouraged to review these materials before applying. For any questions regarding the Catalyst Fund, applicants may contact Yolanda Meraz at yolanda@northvalleythrive.org before April 10, 2025. Responses to inquiries will be posted publicly on the funding page. The Catalyst Fund represents a significant opportunity for organizations in the North San Joaquin Valley to secure funding for transformative economic development initiatives.