The Catalyst and Transformation Fund is back for a new cycle, offering Ontario arts organizations the financial breathing room to ask the hard questions about how they operate before committing to major change. Rather than funding implementation, it funds the thinking that must come first, giving organizations dedicated resources to test assumptions, weigh options, and make informed decisions at exactly the moment when that clarity matters most.
About the CAT Fund Program
Administered by Work in Culture, a nonprofit arts service organization based in Ontario, the CAT Fund was piloted in Toronto in 2021 and has since supported 70 organizations across the province through periods of significant operational exploration and reform. The 2026/2027 cycle is funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, the City of Toronto, the Metcalf Foundation, and the Azrieli Foundation, with additional support from the Ontario Arts Council and Toronto Arts Council. This cycle focuses exclusively on Exploration projects, covering structured periods of research, consultation, and planning. Implementation projects and pilot program launches are not eligible in this round.
Funding Size
- Maximum grant: $15,000 per organization
- Funds cover research, consultation, planning, and decision-making activities
- Implementation or operationalization of new models is not an eligible use of funds in this cycle
Who Can Apply
- Ontario-based non-profit arts organizations
- Established organizations navigating significant questions about their continued viability, structure, or operational model
- Organizations with genuine uncertainty about a major strategic decision that requires structured exploration before committing
- Applicants may contact Work in Culture to confirm eligibility before applying
Geographic Eligibility
- Ontario, Canada only
Sector or Thematic Focus
- Organizational restructuring and business model exploration
- Operational resilience and sector-wide challenge response
- Strategic planning and future sustainability for arts organizations
- Evidence-based decision-making before undertaking major transformations
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Application Process
Applications are submitted online through the Work in Culture website. Applications opened on July 20, 2026. Two online information sessions are available to help applicants prepare: July 29 at 2:00 p.m. ET and August 12 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Both sessions can be registered for on the CAT Fund program page. Work in Culture strongly encourages prospective applicants to attend a session or schedule a brief eligibility meeting before submitting.
Required Materials
- Completed online application form
- Description of the specific organizational question or challenge being explored
- Outline of proposed research and consultation activities
- Budget demonstrating how the grant will be used within the Exploration scope
Key Dates
- Applications opened: 20 July 2026
- Information session 1: 29 July 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET
- Information session 2: 12 August 2026, 10:00 a.m. ET
- Application deadline: 28 August 2026
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Selection Notes
- The fund is designed for organizations at a genuine decision-making crossroads, not those already committed to a specific direction
- Only Exploration projects are funded in this cycle; proposals for implementation will not be considered
- Meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee funding; the program is competitive