Our services
Areas of Expertise
We specialize at the intersection of entrepreneurship, economic and community development, fundraising, and innovation. Our experience includes leading entrepreneur support organizations, working with startups to access services and capital, providing facilities and connections to critical business coaching and expertise, and empowering rural communities to compete in a global economy. We catalyze inclusive economic growth with a primary focus on Appalachia.
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.
Project Funding Services for Nonprofits, Universities 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.
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, Founder and CEO of Catalyst. During Ms. Simon’s 27-year career, she won 22 grant and fundraising awards totaling over $9 million. During her tenure as Program Manager for Entrepreneurship and Business Development at the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), she managed 280 grants worth over $275M, covering all stages of
Jennifer Simon, Founder and CEO of Catalyst. During Ms. Simon’s 27-year career, she won 22 grant and fundraising awards totaling over $9 million. During her tenure as Program Manager for Entrepreneurship and Business Development at the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), she managed 280 grants worth over $275M, covering all stages of the grant lifecycle, including pre-application technical assistance, application review, post-award compliance, closeout, and ongoing grantee relationship management.
Our history
Our Founder, Jen Simon
Our Founder, Jen Simon
Jen Simon started Catalyst Project Solutions in 2024 after enduring her own struggles in writing, managing, and evaluating grants. As she learned how to combat hurdles, she wanted to share that knowledge with communities and organizations as they navigate developing and funding their program initiatives.
Our Approach
Our Founder, Jen Simon
Our Approach
We assist organizations with grant services through strategy, collaboration, and capacity-building to help them secure resources for meaningful impact. Recognizing that each organization is unique, we take a tailored approach, starting with listening and learning about your vision and goals. This enables us to identify funding opportuniti
We assist organizations with grant services through strategy, collaboration, and capacity-building to help them secure resources for meaningful impact. Recognizing that each organization is unique, we take a tailored approach, starting with listening and learning about your vision and goals. This enables us to identify funding opportunities that address immediate needs while promoting long-term sustainability and growth. Grant development is a strategic tool that strengthens programs, fosters innovation, and enhances community impact.