Our vision?
To create a thriving network of comedians and citizens trained in the art of using comedy to change the world, who actively use humor to address the issues of our time.
To create a thriving network of comedians and citizens trained in the art of using comedy to change the world, who actively use humor to address the issues of our time.
|
The Problem
Let’s be honest: things in our democracy kind of… suck right now. On the issue based level, every right and safety seems to be at risk, including our right to talk about it. At the same time, misinformation is everywhere, and partisan echo chambers are louder than ever. We're also more districted than ever. Thanks to the gift of social media algorithms, most attention spans are down to just over 8 seconds (which is, indeed, shorter than that of a goldfish). The truth is, facts alone aren’t cutting through the noise anymore. To reach hearts and minds, we need something sharper, faster, and funnier. |
The Solution? Comedy Catalyst.
The Comedy Catalyst Course is the pilot program that kicks off a new era of comedic advocacy. This isn’t just a class. It’s a movement-building lab where humor meets purpose. By merging Grassroots Comedy’s experience producing cause-driven comedy with Rising Organizers’ expertise in advocacy and community organizing, the course gives participants the tools to transform jokes into action. Each week blends comedy technique with organizing fundamentals, from joke-writing and performance to strategy, relationship building, and taking action. The result: original comedic pieces that don’t just entertain but mobilize. |
The Power of Comedy
Comedy has always been a truth-telling superpower and a way to make people feel something before they change something.
Research backs it up:
Comedy has always been a truth-telling superpower and a way to make people feel something before they change something.
Research backs it up:
- Viewers of satirical news like The Daily Show report higher political efficacy - meaning they believe they can influence change - than non-viewers.
- Exposure to political comedy is positively associated with civic participation, even among audiences who otherwise tune out politics.
- A 2025 AP report found that climate-focused comedy increased awareness and engagement while reducing anxiety about climate change.
Okay, but what is it?
This 5-week, hands-on training helps comedians (and those who’ve always wanted to try) harness the power of laughter to advocate for causes that matter. Produced by Grassroots Comedy in partnership with Rising Organizers, it blends comedic craft and advocacy strategy to empower participants to make people laugh and think.
While stand-up will be the primary focus, the program also welcomes sketch writers, improvisers, comedic action-makers, and storytellers - anyone ready to find their comedic voice in service of something bigger than themselves.
This 5-week, hands-on training helps comedians (and those who’ve always wanted to try) harness the power of laughter to advocate for causes that matter. Produced by Grassroots Comedy in partnership with Rising Organizers, it blends comedic craft and advocacy strategy to empower participants to make people laugh and think.
While stand-up will be the primary focus, the program also welcomes sketch writers, improvisers, comedic action-makers, and storytellers - anyone ready to find their comedic voice in service of something bigger than themselves.
Each cohort explores urgent, participant-driven themes, from climate justice to immigrant rights, reproductive freedom, and democracy itself, and is guided by professional comedians, advocacy trainers, and community organizers. Participants develop original comedic material inspired by real-world issues, and will leave the course with a refined "comedy catalyst product" (whether it be a funny stand-up set, a sketch, a song, a story, etc.), fine-tuned to cut through the noise and address what matters while making people laugh.
At the end of the course, participants will perform their advocacy-focused comedy in front of a real audience and leave with a professionally recorded video of their set, ready to hit the ground running with getting stage time and building ongoing comedic advocacy content.
And this course is just the beginning. The Comedy Catalyst Program will also include:
At the end of the course, participants will perform their advocacy-focused comedy in front of a real audience and leave with a professionally recorded video of their set, ready to hit the ground running with getting stage time and building ongoing comedic advocacy content.
And this course is just the beginning. The Comedy Catalyst Program will also include:
- Comedy Catalyst Workshop: a 2-hour crash course introducing humor for impact.
- Comedy Catalyst Bootcamp: a 2-day intensive for advocates, nonprofits, and comics eager to learn fast.
- Future advanced labs and collaborations expanding the reach of comedy as a tool for change.
|
Launch Details
The pilot cohort launches February 2026 in Washington, DC. Applications and final details are coming soon - join the Comedy Catalyst Fan Club below to be first in line for updates and enrollment. |
|
Help Us Get It Off the Ground
We need to raise $10,000 to launch this pilot. Your support helps us pay facilitators and speakers, secure performance and workshop space, and cover technical materials that make this program possible. Because if we can’t save the world…we can at least make it laugh on its way to redemption.
Donate or sign up today - and help turn laughter into lasting change.
We need to raise $10,000 to launch this pilot. Your support helps us pay facilitators and speakers, secure performance and workshop space, and cover technical materials that make this program possible. Because if we can’t save the world…we can at least make it laugh on its way to redemption.
Donate or sign up today - and help turn laughter into lasting change.