Catalyst for Peace is a private foundation focused on peacebuilding initiatives mostly in Africa and the Middle East. It was established by Libby Hoffman in 2003 after her father’s real estate development business went public and her shares became liquid. The organization’s strategy emphasizes local involvement for long term peacebuilding. ^{1 2}

Founding and History

Catalyst for Peace was established by Libby Hoffman in 2003 after her father’s real estate development business went public and her shares became liquid. Hoffman had previously been a professor of political science at Principia College with a focus on peacebuilding. Hoffman adheres to the Christian Science religious movement, and her religious faith influenced her peace building approach, notably a Christian Science initiative called Peace Discovery Initiative. Since its founding, Catalyst has been involved in various peacebuilding initiatives, mostly in Africa and the Middle East. The organization’s largest program is Fambul Tok, designed to promote reconciliation in Sierra Leone in the aftermath of the country’s civil war. ^{3 4}

Financials

In 2022, Catalyst for Peace reported $127,532 in revenue, of which $90,800 was derived from grants and contributions and $59,094 from dividends and securities interest. It reported $1,095,807 in expenses, of which $137,186 was spent on compensation of directors, $123,494 on other employee compensation, and $511,049 on contract fees. It ended the year with a net loss of $968,275  and net assets of $2,604,245. ^{5 6}

Programs

Catalyst for Peace runs programs to promote conflict resolution. It emphasizes what it calls an “inside out” approach to peacebuilding that attempts to recognize many different levels of society that are involved in the process of conflict resolution. ⁷ As part of this strategy, Catalyst has a flexible funding strategy that emphasizes local solutions and long-term development of local capacity. ⁸

Catalyst focuses on storytelling to reframe outsider understanding of Africa. To that end, it has produced a variety of documentaries and films, photographic exhibits, and published a book related to peacebuilding in Africa. ⁹

It also produces curriculum for use by students and educators related to Catalyst’s peacebuilding process and its various case studies. ¹⁰

Organization Philosophy

Catalyst for Peace is focused on facilitating local peacebuilding efforts over the long term with an emphasis on facilitating, training, and equipping local people rather than directing peacemaking missions from the outside. ¹¹

1. “Our Story.” Catalyst For Peace. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://www.catalystforpeace.org/about/our-story/.
2. “Our Approach.” Catalyst For Peace. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://www.catalystforpeace.org/about/our-approach/.
3. “Our Story.” Catalyst For Peace. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://www.catalystforpeace.org/about/our-story/.
4. “Our Staff.” Catalyst For Peace. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://www.catalystforpeace.org/about/our-people/.
5. Catalyst for Peace, Return of an organization exempt from taxation (Form 990-PF) Part I, 2022.
6. Catalyst for Peace, Return of an organization exempt from taxation (Form 990-PF) Other Professional Fees Attached Schedule, 2022.
7. “Peacebuilding.” Catalyst For Peace. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://www.catalystforpeace.org/in-practice/locally-led-peacebuilding/.
8.  “Funding Peace.” Catalyst For Peace. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://www.catalystforpeace.org/in-practice/funding-peace/.
9. “Storytelling.” Catalyst For Peace. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://www.catalystforpeace.org/in-practice/storytelling/.
10. “Films and Resources.” Catalyst For Peace. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://www.catalystforpeace.org/films-and-resources/.
11. “Our Approach.” Catalyst For Peace. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://www.catalystforpeace.org/about/our-approach/.