MacArthur Foundation
Introduction


The **John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation** is a [private foundation](/wiki/Private_foundation "Private foundation") that makes grants and [impact investments](/wiki/Impact_investment "Impact investment") to support [non\-profit organizations](/wiki/Non-profit_organization "Non-profit organization") in approximately 117 countries around the world. It has an endowment of $7\.6 billion and provides approximately $260 million annually in grants and impact investments.[JOHN D.AND CATHERINE T. MACARTHUR FOUNDATION Consolidated Financial Statements](https://www.macfound.org/media/article_pdfs/audited-financials-macarthurfoundation_fs-aug22.pdf)$7\.6 billion Net Assets It is based in [Chicago](/wiki/Chicago "Chicago"), and in 2014 it was the 12th\-largest private foundation in the United States. It has awarded more than US$8\.27 billion since its first grants in 1978\.

The foundation's stated purpose is to support "creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world". MacArthur's grant\-making priorities include mitigating [climate change](/wiki/Climate_change "Climate change"), reducing jail populations, decreasing nuclear threats, supporting nonprofit journalism, and funding local needs in its hometown of Chicago. According to the [OECD](/wiki/OECD "OECD"), the foundation's financing for 2019 development increased by 27% to US$109 million.
The [MacArthur Fellows Program](/wiki/MacArthur_Fellows_Program "MacArthur Fellows Program"), commonly referred to as the "genius" award, annually gives $800,000 no\-strings\-attached grants to around two dozen creative individuals in diverse fields "who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits". The foundation's *100\&Change* competition awards a $100 million grant every three years to a single proposal.


What kind of organization can receive funding from the MacArthur Foundation?