Igniting Community-Driven Progress
Founded in 1996 by Daniella Levine Cava, Catalyst Miami advances economic and racial justice by investing in communities of color as they build the power they need to change unjust economic and political systems from the ground up.
At Catalyst Miami, we believe the workings of our government and society’s systems should be shaped by all the people they are supposed to benefit. To that end, our work centers on creating both individual and collective paths to prosperity; increasing civic engagement; and enhancing the resilience of our environment and communities through people-led strategies.
Catalyst Miami's mission is to identify and collectively solve issues adversely affecting low-wealth communities throughout Miami-Dade County. Our vision is a just and equitable society in which all communities thrive.
See our history (opens PDF in new tab).
Catalyst Miami's community power-building strategies are founded on the twin pillars of economic and democratic inclusion.
What We Do
- Improve lives through free services and innovative economic security programs
- Support equitable economic development and livelihood opportunities in communities that have been excluded from decades of wealth-building
- Build grassroots power and achieve better policies through engagement and advocacy
What We Strive For
- To advance racial and economic justice by shifting systems that lead to inequity in the first place
- To expand community control and ownership, and catalyze grassroots change led by our communities
- To ensure equitable access to the economy and increase participation in our democratic processes
What We Stand For

Compassion

Collaboration

Innovation

Leadership

Self Empowerment
Our Goals

Design and implement innovative programs to build the health, wealth, and civic engagement of people in low-wealth communities in Miami-Dade County.

Create opportunities for community members, business and civic leaders to work through and solve critical community issues together.

Promote engaged community leaders and constituency-informed policy and system reforms to better meet the needs of communities.

Our Integrated Vision of Thriving
Based on the knowledge that disruption in one area of life can cascade into other areas and threaten stability, we aim to transform lives and communities with an intersectional perspective on well-being. To build both individual and community resilience, we make connections between numerous interrelated factors that strengthen or impede household and community wellness.
Health
Vision: Access to high-quality, affordable care
Disruption: Illness can disrupt employment, education, and finances.
Transportation
Vision: Access to reliable, affordable transportation
Disruption: Lack of access to transportation disrupts education, employment, and health.
Housing
Vision: Stable and affordable family shelter
Disruption: Lack or loss of housing often disrupts employment, health, education, and finances.
Employment
Vision: Opportunity to earn a living wage
Disruption: Un-/under-employment and unfair low compensation disrupts finances, health, and education.
Finances
Vision: Financial security
Disruption: Financial instability disrupts education, health, transportation, and employment.
Climate
Vision: Equitable disaster preparation and response; clean water, air, and energy for all
Disruption: Low-wealth and minority communities disproportionately shoulder the impact of storms and climate change.
Education
Vision: Universal access and attainment
Disruption: Inadequate and inequitable educational opportunity disrupts employment, health, and finances.