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Catalyst Grants

Are you looking to move your nonprofit to the next level?

Alliant Energy Foundation Catalyst Grants empower nonprofits with hands-on innovation support to strengthen their mission and amplify community impact. These grants offer one-day, two-day and yearlong opportunities for organizations to step back, rethink challenges and design new pathways forward.

Our Catalyst Grants provide nonmonetary access to expert-led innovation sessions in partnership with The Innovation Lab. These sessions cover guided ideation, strategic planning and deep explorations of organizational structures, business models and program strategies. Nonprofits receive the time, tools and coaching they need to:

  • Uncover new solutions to persistent challenges.
  • Sharpen and strengthen program design.
  • Explore operational improvements that enhance sustainability.
  • Accelerate ideas that advance their mission.

These innovation experiences meet nonprofits where they are, help them imagine what’s possible and build strategies to make meaningful, lasting change in the communities they serve.

The Innovation Lab has helped many nonprofits advance their goals.

Read stories of past programs and initiatives.

Catherine McAuley Center logo

“Working with The Innovation Lab was a joy. They paced our session based on their audience and offered needed, crucial feedback as we navigated some difficult conversations and some inspiring ones! Their questioning approach to our strategic planning was needed and allowed us to feel we had created a framework that would work for us.”

Anne Dugger, executive director of the Catherine McAuley Center

Download story of impact [PDF]
Community Support Network logo

“The two-day strategy session with The Innovation Lab helped CSN identify new revenue opportunities, enhance program impact and reimagine development strategies. It was a great chance to work together, and we left feeling inspired and ready to take action.”

Caroline Bowers, executive director of the Community Support Network

Download story of impact [PDF]
Dubuque Rescue Mission logo

“Our time at the Innovation Lab was an amazing opportunity to step out of our day-to-day and ask some big questions we have been needing to wrestle with for some time. Because of the groundwork that was laid in this meeting, we have been able to narrow our focus, reform our mission and provide more robust care to our community."

Rev. Samuel Felderman, executive director of the Dubuque Rescue Mission

Download story of impact [PDF]

Eligibility and application process

To be eligible, your organization must:

  • Be a 501(c)(3).
  • Benefit a community Alliant Energy serves.
  • Work within one of our Foundation’s four focus areas: Hunger and housing; workforce readiness; environmental stewardship; or community safety and engagement.

To apply for this grant program, please submit an application through our online portal by May 1, 2026. We will not consider late or incomplete applications.

Catalyst Grant recipients are not eligible to receive a monetary grant from Alliant Energy or the Alliant Energy Foundation within the same calendar year. Because this program provides substantial in‑kind support through expert‑led innovation and coaching sessions, participation counts as the organization’s annual grant award.

Eligible organizations may apply again every other calendar year. This ensures opportunities for more nonprofits to benefit from the program and supports ongoing innovation across our communities.

Timeline

  • Applications now open.
  • Applications are due May 1, 2026.
  • We announce awards June 1, 2026.
  • Innovation sessions take place June through December, 2026.

Apply now

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