Call for Proposals:
Catalyst Design Grant

$20,000 In-Kind Grant

Through this program Salazar Architect donates Design Lab services to community based projects. We recognize that nonprofit organizations need expert, hands-on advice to shape a project before development goals are formalized and before funding is available. We initiated this approach with several non-profits and a public agency near Portland, OR, from 2024-early 2026, and now we are opening it up to community focused projects anywhere on the West Coast.

This program makes a gift of pro bono design services to an organization that owns a property and is looking at options for new construction or adaptive re-use for housing or a community-serving commercial space project. Salazar will work with the organization to develop a series of design recommendations through the lens of our three Design Labs – Community Design, Wellbeing Design, and Sustainable Design. This early intervention provides an opportunity for creative and cutting edge thinking to take shape before development goals are formalized. In providing this opportunity, our team looks to put into practice, in a focused session, all three Design Labs’ expertise in a collaborative review of a project at its earliest stages to maximize impact on a development.  

Applications can be submitted at any time. Next grant review deadline: Wednesday August 19, 2026

Click here if the form doesn’t load: https://forms.gle/HdnsVf4k6MfpzVwz5

Process

This grant has several components and takes a few months to complete. 

Preparation: Salazar will work with the client to prepare a brief describing the client goals, zoning requirements, aerial photos, and base maps.

Charrette: We kick off the 1-day charette with a client-led site visit to familiarize our team with the site and its context. Back at the office, we regroup with a brief discussion, and then break into the Design Labs to collaboratively discuss the site including sketches, brainstorming, models or other formats to explore ideas based on the site & client goals.

Summary Report: Salazar will provide a summary report highlighting the key takeaways from the charrette, design sketches and recommendations for further study/research. The report will include the Charrette Brief and Zoning Summary.

Minimum Project Requirements

  1. Site Control Requirements: Developer must own the site or have a long-term agreement for site control.

  2. Location: California, Oregon, Washington

  3. Provide Completed Site Survey(preferred but optional)