Catalyst Network Foundation Inc. (CNF)

The Catalyst Network Foundation Inc. is a non-profit education initiative 501(c)(3) organization based in New York City and Washington, D.C. The social enterprise is fundamentally grassroots, steered by a volunteer leadership team in NYC and Washington, D.C. In July of 2012, Ranking Congressman Ed Towns awarded a proclamation to CNF, in recognition of the organization’s achievements. Founded in 2011, the nonprofit focuses on life enrichment and professional development, with a mission to engage high-potential youth by providing the proper tools, networks, skill-building projects, and development opportunities to maximize talent. CNF holds a Summer Intensive Program for rising high school juniors and seniors in New York City and Washington, D.C. Successful applicants are enrolled at a CNF partnership high school. Each student receives individualized attention and internships in preparation for higher education and community service. The fellowship scholars are trained from day one: they tour corporate offices, pitch business ideas, and develop professional skills. More than 200 students have been admitted to the Fellowship Program and are CNF Fellows, 99% have graduated high school, and 98% enrolled in higher education institutions. Since 2011, the Fellows have experienced corporate tours and/or pitched capstone presentations and interventions for inner-city school challenges to several companies, including: Google, Goldman Sachs, NIKE, LinkedIn, Morgan Stanley, Microsoft, HBO, Covington & Burling LLP, GAP, BET, NPR, The Carlyle Group, Infor, The Peebles Corporation, Deloitte, and NBC. The youth initiative annually holds tech symposiums at Google, career, and college preparatory workshops throughout the year, instructing over 2,000 high school students in the aforementioned metropolitan areas. CNF has curated 25+ professional networking events, diversity career recruiting sessions, and professional mixer and panel discussion called The Meeting of the Minds.