Help Us Map Catalytic Grantmaking in Europe

Take our short survey and shape the future of grant-powered impact.

Grantmaking plays a vital role in the journey toward scale and systems-level change, yet its catalytic potential remains underexplored and under-recognised in the impact investing space. Building on our work mapping the size of the additional impact investing market in 2024, we are now turning our focus to catalytic grantmaking.

Catalytic grantmaking refers to the strategic use of grants to unlock new possibilities. These grants are intentionally deployed to help impact organisations take risks, prove their models, and attract follow-on funding that might otherwise never arrive. Whether supporting organisations not yet ready for repayable instruments, filling financing gaps, or enabling blended finance, catalytic grants act as a key enabler across the continuum of capital.

From foundations offering flexible capital, to donors de-risking innovation or funding early-stage pilots, grantmakers are already doing catalytic work — but we don’t yet have a clear picture of its scale or potential in Europe. That’s where you come in.

This short survey (under 20 minutes!) aims to:

• better understand the size and landscape of catalytic grantmaking in Europe
• surface best practices and real-world examples
• spotlight the often overlooked role of grants in enabling blended finance and de-risking innovation

Take the survey now

Your input will directly contribute to improving market knowledge and showcasing how grantmakers drive impact beyond the grant itself.

If you have questions, feel free to reach out to aventurato[at]impacteurope.net