John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation (Consolidated)
Annual Giving
$356.1M+11% YoY
Grants
1,086
Median Grant
$160K
Organizations Funded
1,004
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Foundation Overview
Mission
The MacArthur Foundation supports creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. We work to defend human rights, advance global conservation and security, make cities better places, and understand how technology is affecting children and society.
Focus Areas
Grant Types
Funded Initiatives
$48M Press Forward collaborative for local news support, $400M Current AI partnership (part of $2.5B over 5 years), Climate Solutions big bet with coordinated grantmaking and impact investments, Technology in Public Interest program, 100&Change $100M competition, MacArthur Fellows Program $800K no-strings grants
How to Apply
Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through eligibility quiz and online portal. Most grants are invitation-based by Program Officers, but unsolicited proposals meeting guidelines are reviewed. Full application invited if LOI approved.
Does Not Fund
No scholarships or tuition assistance for undergraduate/graduate/postgraduate studies, no grants to individuals except Fellows Program and Leaders for New Chicago, no political activities or attempts to influence specific legislation, no annual fundraising drives. Fellows Program does not accept applications or nominations.
Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.
Giving History
$356.1M
Grants
1,086
Median
$160K
States
46
$320.8M
Grants
1,465
Median
$75K
States
48
$315.7M
Grants
1,487
Median
$60K
States
44
Grant Size Distribution
$160K
Typical Grant (Median)
$450
Smallest
$80K
25th Pctile
$300K
75th Pctile
$21.0M
Largest
Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $80K and $300K.
Largest Recent Grants
$21.0M
2024
COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL INC
NY · TO BRING THE MOVEMENT TO END HOMELESSNESS IN THE U.S. TO A TIPPING POINT
$10.0M
2024
ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS INC
NY · IN SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNANCE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST
$7.5M
2024
RF CATALYTIC CAPITAL INC
NY · IN SUPPORT OF INVEST IN OUR FUTURE
$6.5M
2024
RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
NY · FOR DATA AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND THE COORDINATION OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT FOR THE SAFETY AND JUSTICE CHALLENGE NETWORK
$5.0M
2024
WINDWARD FUND
DC · IN SUPPORT OF THE METHANE HUB
Geographic Focus
Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.
Financial Overview
Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets
Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.