Video: What is a Field Catalyst?
Created by the Student Experience Research Network, this two-minute video provides a quick overview of how field catalysts help address large-scale challenges.
Skoll Foundation series in Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR) on field building and systems orchestration
This Skoll Foundation series explores proven strategies for driving change, including system orchestration, collaborative funding, government partnerships, mission-aligned investing, reimagined storytelling, and evaluation and learning. It also offers two compelling case studies that showcase how social innovators and their partners across sectors have deployed these approaches to drive true systems change through collective action.
“An Opportunity to Build, In the Crisis,” by David Beckman, President, Pisces Foundation (SSIR, 2025)
The author argues that philanthropic investment in field building—e.g., practices that build staying power, greater capacity for connection, and collective influence—are essential today and will build better results over time.
Field Catalysts: Behind the Scenes of Systems Change
Developed by Student Experience Research Network (SERN) in collaboration with Bridgespan, this set of materials includes a short overview of what field catalysts do and case studies of four field catalyst organizations.
Field Catalyst Resources from Student Experience Research Network
A priority for SERN’s strategic sunset was to document and share approaches and processes used by the organization that coule support the continued progress of the student experience field as well as other fields with related needs and demands. The SERN site includes resources that contribute to the emerging knowledge base around field catalysts and will be valuable to others serving in field catalyst roles and those who partner with them.
Field Catalysts: The Versatile, Essential Tool Missing from Philanthropy’s Systems Change Toolbox
Achieving population-level impact requires changing the underlying systems and structures that have been holding inequities in place. The work is hard, slow, and complicated and it requires working collectively across seemingly insurmountable silos. Fortunately, there is a tool in the toolbox that is built for just such a challenge. It’s called a field catalyst.
Schwab Foundation: Collective Social Innovation Awards
Each year, the Schwab Foundation, in collaboration with the Motsepe Foundation, awards outstanding social entrepreneurs and innovators who are making significant contributions to create a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. “Collective Social Innovators” is one type of awardee.
Fito Network
Fito (“fee-toh”), from the Sesotho language in Southern Africa, means “joining diverse pieces to make one powerful effort.” Fito Network aims to connect network leaders, capacity builders, and funders for deep discovery, collective experiments, and global advocacy.
Converge / Impact Networks
Converge offers open-source information and tools for anyone seeking to cultivate or revitalize their impact network.
Centre for Exponential Change (C4EC)
C4EC is a new initiative connecting and supporting “systems orchestrators” developed in partnership with five funder co-founders.
Wasan Network
The Wasan Network brings together people who believe in the power of intentionally designed networks and other relational and collaborative approaches.
NRCP Build/Wield/Share Power Framework
The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy's self-assessment toolkit helps determine how well foundations are building, sharing, and wielding power and how to identify ways to transform their programs and operations for lasting, equitable impact.
FSG Water of Systems Change
FSG's framework for funders and others interested in creating systems change, particularly those who are working to advance equity.
