Forest Catalyst Network
Photo Credit: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
Connecting capital, buyers, and operators to opportunities that strengthen working forests and forest-reliant communities.
What is the Forest Catalyst Network?
The Forest Catalyst Network connects investors, foundations, corporate buyers, public agencies, and industry leaders around opportunities that strengthen forest product markets and support the long-term viability of working forests.
Convened by the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities and the Richard King Mellon Foundation, the Network helps move promising businesses, projects, and ideas from concept to implementation by connecting them with capital, customers, technical expertise, and strategic partners.
The Network emerged from priorities identified through the National Leadership Forum for Economic Development through Working Forests and aligns with the Markets Matter Action Plan’s focus on mobilizing capital, expanding markets, and supporting economic growth through working forests.
Why It Matters
Strong markets, investment, and modern infrastructure are essential to healthy forest economies. Yet promising businesses and innovations often struggle to find the capital, customers, and connections needed to grow.
The Forest Catalyst Network helps close those gaps by identifying opportunities, connecting partners, and improving coordination across the forest sector.
What We Focus On
- Retention & Modernization – Supporting investments, efficiency improvements, and ownership transitions that help existing businesses remain competitive.
- Expansion & Replication – Helping proven businesses scale through additional capacity, new facilities, or expansion into new markets.
- New Facility Development – Advancing processing and manufacturing projects through financing, public programs, and strategic partnerships.
- Commercialization – Accelerating the deployment of innovative wood products, technologies, and business models.
- Market & Infrastructure Conditions – Strengthening workforce development, supply chains, procurement practices, and market intelligence.
What Participants Gain
- A curated pipeline of opportunities
- Regular market updates and outlook briefings
- Quarterly virtual convenings
- An annual in-person gathering
- Connections to capital providers, customers, technical experts, and strategic partners
- Opportunities to collaborate with peers evaluating similar opportunities
Connect with the Network
To learn more about participating, contact Logan Roise of Natural Confluence Partners, Inc., the Forest Catalyst Network coordinator.
Disclaimer: The Network does not make, coordinate, endorse, or recommend investment decisions. Nothing on this page constitutes an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security, or investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice. Participation creates no obligation to invest, and each organization remains responsible for its own decisions and diligence.
