Today we’d like to introduce you to Chaz Chapman.
Hi Chaz, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
CATALYSTS Foundation began in the most personal way possible: as a way for me to say “thank you” to the communities that poured into me—and to help smooth the path for the next generation of changemakers.
In 2017, in partnership with Kennesaw State University, CATALYSTS took shape as a small, social impact–based scholarship fund. Each year on my birthday, I set a $1,000 fundraising goal and invited friends and family to contribute. With my mom and grandma cooking brunch, bottomless mimosas flowing, and my home filled with people who believed in the mission, we raised money to support student leaders of color. The idea was simple: rather than focusing solely on grades or test scores, I wanted to uplift students who were already driving positive change in their communities and give them both encouragement and meaningful financial support.
Over time, that realization pushed us to grow from “a scholarship” into “a foundation.” We built a volunteer board, formalized our mission, and expanded our work to include not just scholarships for student leaders of color, but also grants for emerging minority-led and minority-serving nonprofits, plus pro bono consulting to help underinvested organizations strengthen their strategy, people, and operations. In other words, we stopped thinking only about one moment of impact (a check or award) and started focusing on long-term, ecosystem-level impact—helping people and organizations build something that lasts and make positive disruptions in their community.
Where we are today is the result of a lot of small, consistent steps: late-night planning sessions, board meetings around kitchen tables, fundraising events where we mixed serious purpose with celebratory cheers, and countless conversations with students, community partners, and donors who believed in what we were trying to build. I’m proud that CATALYSTS has grown into a movement grounded in generosity, partnership, and the belief that everyday people—when given resources, recognition, and a bit of strategy—can radically reshape their communities for the better.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? Not exactly—but it’s absolutely been a meaningful journey.
Fundraising is energizing and fun, but it comes with its own unique anxiety. There’s always that moment of wondering, Will people show up? Will they give? Will this work the way we hope? At the same time, building CATALYSTS has often felt like building the plane while flying it. We’ve been designing new programs, strengthening our infrastructure, and scaling our impact all at once—which keeps things exciting and humbling- very humbling.
Fortunately, my first career was rooted in the nonprofit sector, specifically in development and fundraising. In fact, just one month into my very first job, I learned we were launching an $8.5 million capital campaign. That experience taught me how to mobilize people around a vision, how to tell a compelling story, and how to build strategy around purpose—all lessons that directly shaped how CATALYSTS operates today.
Each year, CATALYSTS grows a little more. And while growth comes with its fair share of nerves and growing pains, it also brings a sense of pride. It means the work is resonating, the community is rallying, and the foundation we’re building is strong enough to support the next chapter.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At my core, I’m a people-centered strategist. My work lives at the intersection of organizational effectiveness, talent strategy, and community impact. In my consulting career, I help universities, public agencies, and nonprofits rethink how they structure their teams, develop their people, and design systems that actually support long-term success. I specialize in translating complex, messy organizational challenges into clear strategies, actionable frameworks, and human-centered solutions.
Parallel to that work, I lead the CATALYSTS Foundation—a philanthropic initiative focused on scholarships, grants, and pro bono consulting for emerging minority-led and minority-serving organizations. Across both roles, the throughline is the same: elevating people, strengthening systems, and unlocking potential in places where it’s often overlooked.
What I’m known for is my ability to take vision and turn it into structure. I love simplifying complexity—whether that’s redesigning an HR function for a university, building a performance management ecosystem from scratch, or helping a small nonprofit clarify its strategy and tell its story. I’m also known for bringing clarity, warmth, and intention to spaces where trust, culture, and change are on the line.
But what I’m most proud of is this: creating the pathways I didn’t always have access to when I was starting out. Whether it was navigating college and just trying to make sure I graduated, or entering the social impact space hoping to leave my mark, I didn’t always know what was possible—or how to get there. A lot of my work now is about building the bridges I once needed, so that students, emerging leaders, and community-based nonprofits can move forward with more support, more clarity, and more confidence than I had.
What sets me apart is the blend of experiences I bring: corporate consulting, nonprofit fundraising, entrepreneurship, community building, and a lifelong commitment to service. I’ve seen how systems operate from multiple angles, and that perspective helps me design solutions that are both strategic and deeply human.
At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to leave the world a little better—and a little more accessible—than I found it. Creating pathways for others to rise, thrive, and make their own impact is the work I’m most proud of, and the work that continues to energize me.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
“The future belongs to the few of us still willing to get our hands dirty.”
That quote has been a guiding force for me, and it’s the advice I’d offer to anyone just starting out. Don’t be afraid to do the work that feels unglamorous, unclear, or unfamiliar. That’s usually where growth begins.
Looking back, here are a few things I wish I’d known when I was starting out:
1. You don’t need the full roadmap—just the courage to take the next step.
I used to think success required having every detail figured out. In reality, clarity comes from movement. Start where you are, use what you have, and let the picture sharpen over time.
2. Stay curious; it’s more powerful than having all the answers.
Early in my career, I put pressure on myself to prove I belonged. What made the biggest difference wasn’t pretending to know everything—it was asking thoughtful questions, seeking guidance, and staying open to learning.
3. Build your community early.
So much of my journey has been shaped by people—mentors, colleagues, friends—who opened doors, gave advice, or simply believed in what I was trying to build. Relationships are one of your greatest sources of momentum.
4. Honor small beginnings.
Many of the things I’m most proud of didn’t start with fanfare; they started with intention. A scholarship brunch in my living room eventually became a foundation. Don’t underestimate the small, consistent steps—they compound.
5. Your challenges will one day become someone else’s roadmap.
The barriers I faced—limited access, uncertainty, navigating spaces without a guide—now inform how I create pathways for others. What frustrates you today may become the fuel for your impact tomorrow.
If you’re at the beginning of your journey, remember this: stay hungry, stay humble, and stay willing to get your hands dirty. The work won’t always be easy, but it will shape you—and the future you’re building—in ways that matter.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://catalystsfoundation.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catalystsfoundation/
Image Credits
Event photo: @maxxflashphotography
Headshots: @rqshots
