Our services
Our Value
Catalyst is a consulting firm built for organizations doing important work and needing funding, structure, and clarity to scale it. We support nonprofits, universities, state and local governments, grantmakers, and entrepreneur support organizations with grant strategy, proposal development, application review, program evaluation, and practical tools that strengthen long-term sustainability.
We help you:
- Clarify the strategy behind your program, project, or portfolio
- Strengthen funding readiness (narratives, budgets, match, compliance planning)
- Compete and win with compelling proposals and reviewer-ready applications
- Deliver after the award with reporting systems, performance measures, and project management supports
- Improve grantmaking processes with transparent workflows, scoring rubrics, and grantee-friendly tools
Project Funding Services for Nonprofits, Universities and State and Local Governments
Whether you have a fully developed project and need help with next steps, or you're starting from scratch, we'll design a solution that supports your goals and strengthens your long-term financial management. We also examine and create specialized capacity-building services and training to pursue funding with confidence.
Services for Grantmakers: Process Improvement
We help grantmakers operate more efficiently, make data-informed decisions, and foster strong relationships with grantees through streamlined systems. We assist with designing or refining applications, creating clear scoring criteria, and developing tools for managing performance.
Services for Grantmakers: Application Review and Grantee Services
We provide comprehensive grant application review and post-award support services to ensure a smooth, effective funding cycle. We follow fair, transparent review processes to identify proposals that best align with funding priorities. After awards are made, we support grantees with onboarding, compliance guidance, reporting tools, and technical assistance to help them successfully manage and maximize their funding.
Consulting for Business Incubators and Entrepreneur/Business Service Organizations
We help business incubators and entrepreneur support organizations design and scale impactful programs. From strategic planning to ecosystem development, our services strengthen operations, enhance startup support, and drive sustainable economic growth.
Research and Planning Services
We provide data-driven research and strategic planning services that help nonprofits and local governments make informed decisions and maximize impact. From community needs assessments to program evaluation and strategic roadmaps, we deliver actionable insights that support funding, policy, and long-term growth.
About Us
Our Founder, Jen Simon
Our Founder, Jen Simon
Our Founder, Jen Simon
Jennifer Simon founded Catalyst after nearly three decades working across the full grant lifecycle, from program design and proposal development to review, compliance, and performance management. Over her career, she has earned 22 grant and fundraising awards totaling more than $9 million and has overseen large, complex funding portfolios
Jennifer Simon founded Catalyst after nearly three decades working across the full grant lifecycle, from program design and proposal development to review, compliance, and performance management. Over her career, she has earned 22 grant and fundraising awards totaling more than $9 million and has overseen large, complex funding portfolios with public partners.
During her tenure at the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), she managed 280 grants totaling more than $275 million, supporting communities through pre-application guidance, application review, post-award compliance, closeout, and ongoing grantee relationship management.
Our history
Our Founder, Jen Simon
Our Founder, Jen Simon
Jennifer Simon founded Catalyst Project Solutions in 2024 to turn hard-won experience into practical, repeatable grant systems that communities can use again and again. After years of supporting applicants and grantees through high-stakes funding decisions, Jennifer saw the same pattern: great programs often stall not because the idea is
Jennifer Simon founded Catalyst Project Solutions in 2024 to turn hard-won experience into practical, repeatable grant systems that communities can use again and again. After years of supporting applicants and grantees through high-stakes funding decisions, Jennifer saw the same pattern: great programs often stall not because the idea is weak, but because the strategy, narrative, and operational plan aren’t fully aligned.
Catalyst exists to close that gap, helping organizations move from “We need funding” to “We’re ready, competitive, and built to deliver.”
Our Approach
Our Founder, Jen Simon
Our Approach
We start by listening, then we build. Catalyst takes a tailored, collaborative approach that connects vision to execution, with clear deliverables and tools your team can keep using.
- Strategic: funding follows a strong plan
- Practical: templates, timelines, and systems you can run internally
- Transparent: clear process, clear next steps
- Capacity-building: you leave stronger, not just “submitted”