Two-thirds of American high school graduates feel unprepared to pursue a career path. That disconnect is why the Catalyze Challenge exists: to find and support promising ideas already taking root in communities across the country. It lowers the barrier for entry, perhaps being one of the first philanthropic partners for bold new models, or the boost a pilot needs to grow and reach more students.
That boost is already creating momentum. Recently, Catalyze announced four Round Four grantees: Propel America, CareerWise, Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation and the American Student Opportunity Collaborative (ASOC). Together, they will expand career-connected learning (CCL) opportunities to more than 60,000 young people from ages 11 to 22.
This round also marked an evolution in strategy. Unlike previous rounds, which supported 10 to 12 smaller pilots, Round Four concentrated its resources on four bold initiatives. By investing $3.5 million across a smaller cohort, Catalyze is doubling down on models that are ready to scale and create systemic change. The shift reflects growing confidence in the power of community-rooted innovation and a commitment to accelerating what works.
Each grantee is helping young people see career exploration not as a last-minute decision, but a journey of self-discovery. “If we wait until junior year in high school to teach kids to explore career options, it’s too late,” says Glen Lineberry, ASOC’s executive director. ASOC brings career-connected learning to students as early as sixth grade in Arizona, Colorado, and Ohio.
Propel America is expanding earn-and-learn healthcare pathways in five regions. Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation is scaling ElevateEdAZ to reach 50,000 students across Arizona. CareerWise is advancing its goal to offer youth apprenticeships in all 50 states by 2030.
Education should unlock purpose, possibility, and a choice-filled life. These four efforts represent what’s possible when communities lead, and when young people are given real opportunities to explore what’s next.
Senior Program Officer Jamie Jutila is an advisory board member with the Catalyze Challenge
