Coach has launched the Coachtopia Catalyst Fund, a new initiative to support Gen Z-led environmental nonprofits and young leaders.
As WWD reports, the circular subbrand from Coach that launched in April 2023 has created the Coachtopia Catalyst Fund to support Gen Z-led environmental nonprofits and young leaders by providing them with the funding and resources they need to bring their ideas to life. The fund was created in partnership with 1 percent for the Planet, and 1 percent of Coachtopia’s annual sales will be donated to the initiative.
“We built Coachtopia from the outset as a collaborative platform for change,” said Joon Silverstein, senior vice president of global marketing and sustainability at Coach and head of Coachtopia. “The Coachtopia Catalyst Fund, as part of our broader Blueprint for Tomorrow, takes this core pillar of our mission further, directly investing in the next generation of changemakers who are working to create a more circular future. Our vision is to provide emerging leaders not only with financial support, but with the inspiration, opportunities to develop and showcase their talent and community networks that will support their paths more holistically.”
The first three businesses the Catalyst Fund will support are Earth Guardians, Black Girl Environmentalist and Maya’s Ideas 4 the Planet, all of which address the climate crisis.
The founders of these organizations also took part in Coach’s annual Dream Day conference, which was held last week at its New York headquarters. Some 200 Gen Z activists attended the day of talks, workshops and networking. The majority of attendees were Coach Foundation Dream It Real scholars who are receiving four-year scholarships and are matched with a mentor from the company.
The day began with the announcement of the Dream It Real x Coachtopia Scholars Program created in partnership with Millennium Campus Network that will support 10 to 15 undergraduates from underrepresented communities who are dedicated to sustainability. That was followed by a teaser screening of “Asali: Power of the Pollinators,” an animated short film about protecting the environment directed by Coachtopia Catalyst Fund recipient Maya Penn. There were also panel discussions on driving change, identifying values, launching ventures and building a digital voice.
“Dream Day to us is about connecting like-minded, ambitious young people to be inspired and build community, regardless of where they come from,” said Julia Furnari, executive director of The Coach Foundation. “The students in our scholarship programs are extraordinary and they overcome barriers daily. [This was] about giving them the tools to foster even greater impact for their future and their communities.”
The Coach Foundaiton has already reached its original goal of funding 5,000 scholarships by 2025 and has doubled its goal to 10,000 by 2030.
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