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How to Apply

Each year, organizations self-nominate for either comprehensive or discrete initiatives, which the Catalyst Award Evaluation Committee assesses through screening and telephone interviews.

The Committee determines a select number to examine during intensive on-site visits. Through interviews and focus groups with executive management, high-level women, human resources professionals, and other employees at various levels, the Committee gauges each initiative’s effectiveness and how it permeates the organization. Subsequent to these site visits, Catalyst chooses the winners of the Catalyst Award.

Applicants benefit from an outside perspective on their diversity and inclusion efforts. Organizations selected for site visits receive more than 500 hours of review by the Catalyst Award Evaluation Committee and have the opportunity to receive a feedback session that details strengths and opportunities for improvement.

What We Measure

The Catalyst Award Evaluation Committee measures each nominated initiative against the following seven criteria:

• Business Rationale: There must be an explicit connection between the initiative and the business strategy.
• Senior Leadership Support: Upper management must demonstrate commitment to the initiative.
• Accountability: Formal monitoring mechanisms must support the initiative, measure its impact, and hold individuals accountable for results.
• Communication: There must be mechanisms for engaging and informing employees of the initiative and its business rationale.
• Replicability: All or parts of the initiative must be able to be implemented by other organizations and thus used as a model for change.
• Originality: Initiatives are compared against previous winners and must include elements that are innovative and provide new knowledge to the business community.
• Measurable Results: There must be documented evidence to demonstrate the impact of the initiative, and data must show improvement since the start of the initiative.

The Timeline

Applicants can expect the following timeline:

• Applications due and preliminary review (June)
• Evaluations, including telephone interviews and additional data requests (June–August)
• Selection for site visits (August–September)
• Site visits (September–October)
• Winner selection (December–January)
• Public announcement of winners (January)
• Awards Conference and Dinner (March/April)

Completing Your Application

The following forms comprise a completed application packet. The Catalyst Award Application must address all questions and be submitted by both mail and email. In addition, nominating organizations must complete the CEO Attendance Verification Form or the Managing Partner/Director Attendance Verification Form, with original signatures, as well as the Nomination Fee Form, and submit both by mail. 

Download the 2010 Catalyst Award Application:

• PDF
• Microsoft Word

Download the Attendance Verification Form:

• CEO Attendance Verification Form
• Managing Partner/Director Attendance Verification Form

Download the Nomination Fee Form: 

• PDF
• Microsoft Word