Announcing the 2024 Awardees of the McNulty Prize Catalyst Fund
Inspired by personal experience, the 2024 Catalyst Fund Awardees are seven promising leaders driving change across the US, China, Rwanda, and the world.
April 4, 2024—The McNulty Foundation and Aspen Institute have announced the recipients of the 2024 McNulty Prize Catalyst Fund. These awards are given annually to organizations led by Aspen Institute Fellows that have shown significant momentum in advancing innovative models of social change. A total of $140,000 will be awarded to seven recipients working in China, Rwanda, the US, and globally. Register now to hear from the recipients in a two-part dialogue on Tuesdays April 23 and April 30 at 11:00 am ET, exploring what it takes to build organizations and work with communities for deep, lasting change.
While each of the seven organizations tackles distinct systemic challenges, all are led by individuals whose expertise and personal experience have given them unique insight into the issues. All are building solutions aiming to shift broken paradigms by working directly with affected communities. They are improving health and education in Rwanda’s remote areas; advancing social innovation in China; inspiring young change-makers globally; reconnecting Black youth to the outdoors; providing non-judgemental prenatal care for substance users; transitioning US public schools to zero emissions; and fueling a global pro-democracy movement.
Each of these leaders’ lives has brought them face-to-face with challenges, and they have developed solutions in partnership with those they serve. We are honored to hold up these examples with the Catalyst Fund.
Keseb | Global
In response to rising authoritarianism, Yordanos Eyoel founded Keseb for pro-democracy champions around the world to collaborate in building resilient, inclusive democracies. Keseb is fueling the global democracy movement through capacity building and capital to innovative organizations, convenings, and actionable insights. Reaching democracy entrepreneurs, philanthropists, academics, journalists, and policymakers, Keseb is building momentum to defend current institutions and build the democracy of the future.
Move Up Global | Rwanda
As a child, Anatole Manzi often dealt with inescapable abdominal pain from malnutrition, an experience shared with 40% of children in Rwanda’s most mountainous region. Spurred to action, he launched Move Up Global, equipping schools and health facilities to drive community transformation. Move Up plans to scale in Rwanda through learning collaboratives that train teachers and parents as community health champions.
Magdalene Clinic | United States
Women with substance use disorders experience deep-rooted stigma when accessing healthcare, especially when pregnant. Dr. Kacey Eichelberger founded Magdalene Clinic in South Carolina to provide a safe, loving space for women who use or have used during pregnancy. Their model has led to increased prenatal visits and feelings of belonging, and has helped to combat relapse; they are poised to bring this long-term intervention to more women.
Black Outside | United States
Black youth are disproportionately underrepresented in outdoor spaces—only 1% of Texas state park visitors identify as Black/African-American. Alex Bailey founded Black Outside in Central Texas to reconnect youth to nature and culturally-aligned programming. After launching their newest mentorship program for boys, and doubling their counselors-in-training program, Black Outside plans to procure land to expand youth leadership opportunities.
Qi Social Innovation Center | China
In 2003, Jack Hsu moved back to China from New York to build schools that focus on social innovation. In 2022, Hsu founded the Qi Social Innovation Center to cultivate a spirit of change-making, in order to combat the ‘personal gain and accomplishment mindset’ that he felt was pervasive amongst China’s youth. Having set the groundwork with a series of pilots, the center will launch and grow its Fellowship for Change program for young leaders this year.
Moonshot Platform| Global
While global challenges persist across generations, youth rarely have the decision-making power to address them. Yemi A.D. founded Moonshot to empower the voices of young change-makers addressing our most pressing problems, through fellowships, mentorship, and thought leadership camps. Building on success convening their global participants, Moonshot now plans to reach more indigenous and migrant youth and to launch regional programs in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
UndauntedK12 | United States
Schools are increasingly impacted by heat and fires, which can thwart student health and learning. Jonathan Klein founded UndauntedK12 to support America’s public schools to make an equitable transition to zero emissions while preparing young people to build a sustainable future in a rapidly changing climate. In addition to operating state-wide campaigns, Undaunted is working nationally to build awareness of the opportunity for schools to shift to climate-resilient infrastructure by leveraging the Inflation Reduction Act.
Join us for Creating an Inclusive Future: A Two-Part Dialogue on Shifting Paradigms from the Ground Up on April 23rd and 30th from 11am-12pm ET. Register here.
About the Catalyst Fund
The McNulty Prize Catalyst Fund recognizes promising ventures led by Fellows of the Aspen Institute with significant early momentum and at critical junctures on their path to creating meaningful change. The Fund boosts leaders and their organizations, awarding up to $150,000, annually across five to seven recipients as well as non-monetary support to reach the next level of impact. Launched in 2017, to date, the fund has supported over 30 recipients from around the world.
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