Background
In 2021, Governor Newsom launched the $600 million Regional Investment Initiative to create quality jobs and bolster California's resilience to climate and global challenges.
What is Catalyst Funding?
Thrive Inland SoCal received $14 million in Catalyst Funding,
$9 million of which goes to advance sector-specific pre-development projects from early and near-completion stages to "ready-to-go" status, facilitating access to various funding sources.
Project Decisions
Thrive Inland SoCal co-conveners IEGO and the Inland Empire Labor Institute have relationships with a wide range of organizations outside of the work we do through California Jobs First. We do not have decision making authority with regard to Catalyst funding nor are we able to give preferential points to any project. Read the evaluation and approval process below to understand how project decisions are reached.
Funding Rounds
Round 3
Opens
May 19
Closes
June 30 at 11:59 PM
Utilization of Funds
All funds must be expended by August 30, 2026
Application Stages
Stage 1:
Idea submissions are made online, requiring a brief narrative and checklist for self-evaluation against relevant criteria.
Stage 2:
Submissions are reviewed by an external organization and sorted into three funding lanes based on self-selection and external assessments, with reviewers deciding the final placement.
Funding Lanes:
Lane A:
Exploratory
(Up to $25k per project)
-
Early phase ideas
Lane B:
Planning
(Up to $250k per project)
-
Ready for investment, job creation started
Lane C:
Last-mile
(Up to $1 mil. per project)
-
Needs final funding to begin development
Evaluation & Approval
01
3rd Party Evaluation
-
Categorization based on stage, capital needs, funding sources, and strategy relevance
02
Review Committee
-
Composed of 3-5 volunteers per group.
-
Conflict-of-interest declaration required
03
Final Approval
-
Top projects go to Inclusive Planning Council
-
The Inclusive Planning Council will provide funding recommendations. The Convener Team will conduct a final alignment check to ensure sector fit and regional readiness. Final decisions will reflect both IPC input and available funding.
Have Questions
Contact us via the form.
Be In The Know
Sign up to receive news about regional updates.
Catalyst Awardees
ROUND 1
A.
$25,000
Workforce Mental Development Program
B.
$25,000
Thrift and Thrive Donation Center
C.
$219,849.60
Practically sustainable community growth through backyard urban farming with permaculture and composting in palm springs
D.
$50,000
FAME House
E.
$246,350
CORE Academy
$250,000
F.
$250,000
Littlest Big Farms in the Inland Empire
G.
$250,000
High Desert Black Worker Center: Advocacy, Unity, and Prosperity in Action
H.
$25,000
Pay it Forward Career Pact
I.
$250,000