CATALYST
Dedicated to advancing community-centered design by engaging local neighborhoods through service-based programs and educational initiatives. Rooted in the belief that design is a tool for empowerment, fostering meaningful community development and a stronger sense of ownership.
DESIGN ENGAGEMENT - AMPLIFY VOICES - LASTING CHANGE
SOURCE TO SURFACE
When companies relocate or refresh their spaces, quality assets are often left behind. Source to Surface was created by the IIDA NY Catalyst Committee to change that — building a direct bridge between corporate donors and nonprofits in need. Organizations donate surplus workplace assets through our platform, and approved nonprofits browse available listings and submit requests. Our volunteer team facilitates every match and coordinates the handoff. The result is less waste, stronger communities, and a design industry leading by example.
CATALYST STUDENT GRANT
The IIDA NY Catalyst Student Grant is an initiative dedicated to empowering the next generation of designers by providing essential tools for their academic and professional success. In partnership with IIDA NY College Ambassadors, this program awards laptops to students with financial needs, ensuring they have access to the technology needed to fully engage in their design education.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The IIDA NY Catalyst Community Engagement Program connects volunteers with students at the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center through hands-on design activities and mentorship. By working together on creative projects and contributing to improvements within the school, volunteers help foster confidence, collaboration, and a sense of ownership among students while creating meaningful, lasting impact in their environment.
SUSTAINABILITY CIRCLE
The IIDA NY Sustainability Circle is a collective dedicated to advancing environmentally and socially responsible design practices across the built environment. Bringing together designers, students, and industry partners, the Circle fosters dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and action around the principles of sustainability, resilience, and long-term impact.
PROJECTS
IIDA NY Catalyst is committed to strengthening connections between design and community. Through pro bono design initiatives that support local community-based organizations and neighborhoods, Catalyst offers design expertise as a service, creating meaningful collaborations, fostering deeper community engagement, and encouraging a strong sense of ownership in the spaces being shaped.
By working closely with mission-driven groups, designers address real needs and expand access to professional design services, partnering with stakeholders to co-create thoughtful, impactful solutions.
This approach reinforces design as an inclusive, community-centered process that drives lasting, positive change.
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