Catalyst Summit by Beyond School Bells
ABOUT THE EVENT
The Catalyst Summit brings together leaders from all afterschool programs awarded Catalyst Funding for the 2025-26 school year and summer. This event will focus on the four Catalyst goals (Quality Programming, Sustainability, Advocacy and Policy, and Innovative Programming) with emphasis on Advocacy.
Discussions will center around the context of summer programming in 2026, with topics to equip professionals with tools to strengthen program quality, partnerships, and advocacy to effectively communicate program impact. Participants will engage in sessions focused on aligning summer programming with evidence-based practices, hosting summer site visits, and mapping local networks to identify strengths and opportunities. February 17 will include visits to the Nebraska State Capitol to introduce state senators to extended learning programs. This event will be led by Beyond School Bells staff, program leaders from across the state, and staff from The Learning Agenda, a national leader in afterschool and summer learning.
CATALYST SUMMIT PREPARATION
Please come prepared with:
• Your Catalyst Impact Lab advocacy stories
• Program-specific data
• Preparation materials for visiting the Capitol on February 17
QUESTIONS
Contact Dakota Staggs at dstaggs@nebraskachildren.org or your BSB contact person.
There is no registration fee to attend the Catalyst Summit. Breakfast and lunch will be provided on both days. Lodging available at Graduate hotel: $124/night with parking included. Use BSB’s Catalyst Summit block: https://bit.ly/BSB_Catalyst2026
Each attendee should register separately.
Registration closes February 6, 2026.
Due to limited space, the Catalyst Summit is only open to leaders and staff of afterschool programs funded by the 2025-26 Catalyst Funding Opportunity. If you are unsure if this applies to you, please reach out to Dakota Staggs at dstaggs@nebraskachildren.org or Stephanie Vadnais at svadnais@nebraskachildren.org.
