The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur is placing a few big bets that truly significant progress is possible on some of the world's most pressing social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions, decreasing nuclear risk, promoting local justice reform in the U.S., and reducing corruption in Africa's most populous country, Nigeria.
MacArthur works on a small number of big bets that strive toward transformative change in areas of profound concern, including the existential threats of climate change and nuclear risk, the challenges in the U.S. of criminal justice reform and in Nigeria of more effective and legitimate government services, and bringing more financial capital to the social sector.
In addition, MacArthur maintains just a few enduring commitments: strengthening their hometown Chicago, where their civic leadership and commitment is deep and unwavering, and advancing journalism and media as a foundation for critical thinking and informed action in a democratic society.
The MacArthur Foundation has identified the following area(s) of interest:
Chicago Commitment
Chicago is a global city with vibrant, diverse neighborhoods and a strong civic culture. MacArthur is proud to call Chicago home.
Civic Partnerships: Chicago's civic landscape is notable for its broad network of philanthropic, corporate, government, and nonprofit organizations, and its rich history of collaboration between these entities to achieve shared goals. Civic partnerships build upon the collective assets of these leaders and organizations for greater impact. The goal of Civic Partnerships is to address urgent and timely issues affecting Chicago and its communities through civic partnerships to achieve long-term, sustained change. The Chicago Commitment has engaged an evaluation and learning partner to measure and evaluate the progress of the strategy, test assumptions underpinning it, and collect information about the context in which the strategy operates. The focus of these activities is on learning. We aim to understand how the strategy contributes to advancing racial equity and building a more inclusive Chicago.
Vital Communities: The Chicago Commitment team invests in people, places, and partnerships to advance racial equity and build a more inclusive Chicago. The Vital Communities focus of the strategy draws on these three elements to support a vibrant and resilient metropolitan area. The Vital Communities focus of the Chicago Commitment's work stimulates development in historically marginalized neighborhoods by making early investments in response to community needs that contribute to economic growth. We support place-based economic development and creative placemaking and placekeeping initiatives to improve the quality of life for individuals in neighborhoods that have experienced disinvestment. They also support organizations whose research and analysis inform socially beneficial and equitable development.
Advancing Leadership: The Chicago Commitment supports leadership advancement within MacArthur's three focus areas: Culture, Equity, and the Arts; Vital Communities; and Civic Partnerships. Within these areas, they seek to advance equity by expanding access to a wide range of leadership opportunities and by fostering conditions that recognize and support people who bring diverse experiences and perspectives to leadership positions. Our approach consists of these components: 1) Support for Leadership Programs, 2) Support for Individual Leaders, 3) Support for Leadership Advancement Within Organizations.
Culture, Equity, and the Arts in Chicago: The Arts & Culture Loan Fund provides small and medium-sized arts and culture organizations with loans to address cash flow shortages and strengthen the financial capacity of its borrowers.
International Connections Fund: To encourage greater sharing of experiences and international learning, MacArthur has established a fund to help eligible nonprofit arts and culture organizations advance their work by collaborating with peer organizations from Tribal Nations, U.S. Territories, and other countries.
Journalism & Media: The Journalism and Media program seeks to promote and amplify just and inclusive news and narratives, based on the belief that accurate and compelling media plays an important role in informing, engaging, and activating individuals and groups to take part in democratic practices and processes.
Climate Solutions: MacArthur's grantmaking focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, methane, etc.) from energy-related sources. There is an emphasis on strengthening support for subnational work in key cities, states, and regions across the world, with heightened attention to the United States and India. MacArthur will support equitable climate solutions by improving citizen engagement in shaping climate policy within the context of each country's politics, society, and economy. To a lesser extent, they provide seed funding to innovative and/or timely approaches to advance climate solutions, including in areas of finance, governance, and philanthropy.
Impact Investments: New impact investments are developed in collaboration with MacArthur program teams and partners to advance key institutional priorities, initiatives, and programs
The foundation does not currently make grants to individuals outside of the MacArthur Fellows Program, which does not accept applications or public nominations.