The Catalyst and Transformation (CAT) Fund provides financial support to Ontario arts organizations to investigate, plan, and implement substantive change in their operations. 

Administered by: Work in Culture

Program Overview 

Applications open: September 16, 2024
Applications close: November 8, 2024

Information session recording:

This program provides funding to Ontario-based arts organizations to explore key questions or challenges facing their organization in order to focus on rebuilding, restructuring, and reforming the way they work and operate.

Arts organizations may be asking themselves questions about their continued viability, or how they need to adapt their structure or approach to operate into the future. They may be exploring or developing directions that diverge from previous or current operational practices.

This program will support arts organizations through the process of exploring and identifying, and, if applicable, implementing significant adaptations in their operations.

Work in Culture and the funders of the CAT Fund are committed to advancing inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) across the arts and culture sector. Applicants should be mindful of and reflect on how the advancement of IDEA is an essential factor in the ongoing viability of their operations.

Substantive change may include initiatives such as:

• Making shifts to new business models and organizational structures
• Forming strategic partnerships with other organizations to transform long-term working relationships
• Developing or implementing strategies and engaging expertise to transform capacity or explore new directions
• Addressing organizational life-cycle questions like succession planning, mergers, new leadership structures, or wind-downs

* Please note: This fund does not support initiatives for routine strategic planning, the development or delivery of artistic programming or ongoing activities, or capital building projects.

This program will fund projects in two distinct phases of organizational change:

• Exploration Projects: Grants of up to $15,000 for organizations to explore new directions and possibilities for the organization
• Implementation Projects: Grants of up to $25,000 for organizations to implement change within the organization – either building on an Exploration project or on other previously piloted project activities

Watch The Catalytic Effect: Stories of Catalyst and Transformation to learn more about previous Exploration and Implementation projects supported by the CAT Fund.

Applicants can apply and receive support for either or both phases based on fund criteria. If applying for both phases, applicants must successfully complete and report on the Exploration Project before receiving Implementation Project funds.

For full information on the CAT Fund, including eligible expenses, project timing, and how funding will be issued, please read the Program Guidelines [PDF].

The CAT Fund is administered by Work in Culture and funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, the City of Toronto, the Metcalf Foundation, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Azrieli Foundation, with support from Toronto Arts Council.

For program inquiries, please contact Stephanie Draker, Work in Culture Program Manager and CAT Fund Administrator, at [email protected].

Eligibility Criteria

This program is open to Ontario-based incorporated non-profit arts and arts service organizations, including artist collectives* operating on a non-profit basis.

Applicant organizations must:

• Have been in operation for more than 3 years
• Have total revenues of $5 million or under
• Be based in Ontario

While previous CAT Fund recipients can apply, priority will be given to organizations that have not previously received support from the CAT Fund. Previous applicants must also be applying for new and distinct phases of work or initiatives.

* An artist collective is defined as two or more artists working together under a group name, either on a single project or on an ongoing basis. For collectives of two artists, both must be Ontario residents. For collectives of more than two artists, the majority of members must be Ontario residents.

For more information, please contact:

Stephanie Draker
Program Manager and CAT Fund Administrator
Work in Culture
[email protected]