Rachel’s Network announced the awardees and finalists of its 2026 Catalyst Award. Now in its eighth year, the Catalyst Award honors women leaders of color for their commitment to a healthy planet, and provides them with financial and leadership support, and public recognition.
Shamar Bibbins, managing director of The Kresge Foundation’s Environment Program, shares what she’s learned from 12 years in philanthropy, and how we can build a just, green future through place, power, and care.
Rachel’s Network announced the awardees and finalists of its 2025 Catalyst Award. Now in its seventh year, the Catalyst Award honors women leaders of color for their commitment to a healthy planet, and provides them with financial and leadership support, and public recognition.
This year’s Catalyst Award interviews made it clear that the devastating federal funding cuts are putting significant strain on the women in our community. While women of color leaders and their organizations are consistently underfunded even in “normal” times, our applicants are facing even greater stress this year, with bigger funding gaps, and more burnout. Catalyst Program Director Shreya Durvasula offers ways for funders to step up.
What could a non-extractive agriculture project look like? In June, Rachel’s Network visited Urban Growers Collective in Chicago to find out. Catalyst Program Director Shreya Durvasula shared observations and lessons learned from the trip to Green Era Campus and the South Chicago Farm.
