Quick Summary
Name: Breakthrough Energy Catalyst Foundation Status: Active Grant Maker
Key Facts
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Giving | $358+ million (2022 revenue) |
| Grant Range | $50,000 - $50,000,000+ |
| Average Grant | $10,000,000 |
| Application Method | Rolling |
Contact Details
- Website: https://www.breakthroughenergy.org/our-work/catalyst/
- Phone: (425) 497-4300
- Contact Form: https://www.breakthroughenergy.org/contact-us/
- Location: Kirkland, WA
Geographic Focus
- United States (approximately two-thirds of investments)
- European Union (EU-27 countries - approximately one-third of investments)
- Global expansion planned
Funding Priorities
- Clean Hydrogen - production and infrastructure projects
- Long Duration Energy Storage - grid-scale battery systems and alternative storage solutions
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) - production facilities and demonstration projects
- Direct Air Capture (DAC) - carbon removal technologies
- Industrial Decarbonization - green manufacturing for cement, steel, plastics, textiles, and fertilizers
What They Don't Fund
- Early-stage research (TRL 1-4) - these are funded through separate Breakthrough Energy programs
- Projects outside the five priority technology areas
- Projects that can access alternative commercial financing
- Non-climate-focused initiatives
Application Method
Organizations begin with an online application form. The evaluation process is rolling until December 31, 2027 (subject to fund availability). Selected projects are invited for presentations within 90 days. Successful applicants undergo parallel due diligence processes with both Breakthrough Energy Catalyst and the European Investment Bank (for EU projects), taking 6-9 months depending on project maturity. First funding typically occurs within one year of initial application submission.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Demonstration projects (TRL 5-7): €30-100 million project size
- First commercialization projects (TRL 6-9): €100 million - €1 billion project size
- Must demonstrate significant greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential
- Must demonstrate inability to access conventional financing mechanisms
References
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