The Score | League’s Catalyst Fund to Advance Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Orchestras

Orchestras across the U.S. have told the League of American Orchestras that they are committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout their organizations—but that they need help in doing so. The League’s new Catalyst Fund aims to address that. Made possible by a three-year, $2.1 million grant to the League from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Catalyst Fund supports the League’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the field, and responds to needs expressed by orchestra stakeholders during the League’s listening, learning, and planning process. Announced in January, The Catalyst Fund provides annual grants to League-member orchestras that seek to further their understanding of EDI and to foster effective EDI practices. Catalyst Fund grants range from $10,000 to $25,000; orchestras are required to use the funds to support the costs of retaining a skilled EDI practitioner to advance EDI learning objectives. Examples of activities that qualify for support include, but are not limited to, working with a consultant on capacity building; planning, alignment, and readiness; improving competencies; measuring progress; and peer- and group-based learning. Grantees will be linked to a learning community to share their findings, including an online forum as well as remote and in-person convenings. The 2019 Catalyst Grant awards will be announced in mid-May. Find further details at http://www.americanorchestras.org/TheCatalystFund. For more on equity, diversity, and inclusion, visit the League’s EDI Resource Center at http://www.americanorchestras.org/EDI.