Introduction
While the stories below do not prove causality, they reveal patterns. They suggest that even modest strategic social-sector funding can generate highly leveraged results. When the right fuel meets the right moment, it creates what Propel Philanthropy and Catalyst Now call A Million Dominoes.
When funding is also designed to achieve far-reaching results, as in the examples below, it can yield unexpectedly large outcomes. These stories highlight how catalytic investments—whether in capacity, platforms, leadership, or infrastructure—strengthen organizations in ways that ripple outward across cause areas, communities, and the social sector ecosystem.
GivingTuesday
The organization launched a $355,000 national media campaign in partnership with funders. The campaign raised millions to tens of millions of dollars, generated 16.8 million impressions, and helped thousands of nonprofits.
TechSoup
A $65,000 grant enabled TechSoup to secure $11.5 million in a global capital campaign and launch a five-year development phase to modernize and significantly enhance its capacity to serve hundreds of thousands of organizations across 234 countries.
The END Fund
Revenue escalated from $37 million to $104 million in two years—an 82% increase that markedly expanded the organization’s capacity to save lives by combating neglected tropical diseases.
Raised $120 million from $3.6 million awarded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, A.T.E. Chandra Foundation, and Omidyar Network.
Initial Investment $3.6 million
Funds Raised $120 million
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A $17,000 grant funded a time-conscious assistant for a high-powered executive director, providing the essential fuel needed to focus on expansion. In a year, MCN reported a 140% increase in its graduate rate.
Investment $17,000
Graduation Rate Increase 140%
Students Graduated Nearly 50,000
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A $50,000 grant provided “cornerstone power” to organize a collective funding request among partners. This effort helped Humentum raise $800,000 to develop together financial intelligence in global grants.
Investment $50,000
Additional Funds Raised $800,000
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A $100,000 grant helped design and launch a new revenue-generating model. This organization is already bringing in over $1.4 million in new funding and continues to generate revenue annually.
Investment $100,000
New Funding Generated $1.4 million+
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A $91,000 grant (of a $70,000 total provided) was used to update the organization’s CRM and fundraising systems. These infrastructure upgrades help WINGS more effectively improve the capacity of its affiliate memberships, with a significant portion in the Global South.
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Although each story is unique, they share three important characteristics:
They addressed a critical linchpin or bottleneck.
They strengthened a critical organizational capability.
Their benefits extended far beyond a single project or program.