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MacArthur Foundation - What Directors Learned 2025
webCredibility Rating
4/5
High(4)High quality. Established institution or organization with editorial oversight and accountability.
Rating inherited from publication venue: MacArthur Foundation
Peripheral to AI safety; relevant mainly for MacArthur's Technology in the Public Interest program, which funds AI governance and responsible tech work. Useful for understanding philanthropic landscape and funder perspectives on tech accountability in 2025.
Metadata
Importance: 18/100press releasecommentary
Summary
MacArthur Foundation program directors reflect on lessons learned in 2025, a year marked by sharp funding cuts, policy shifts, and market disruptions affecting nonprofits and communities. Directors across programs including Technology in the Public Interest, Climate Solutions, Criminal Justice, and Local News share observations about resilience and adaptation amid challenging conditions. The piece highlights how organizations navigated resource losses while continuing to serve communities.
Key Points
- •2025 saw significant funding cuts, policy shifts, and market disruptions increasing need across nearly every sector including housing, health, environment, and media.
- •Many nonprofits lost resources and staff, with some closing altogether, reflecting a difficult operating environment for civil society organizations.
- •MacArthur's Technology in the Public Interest program is among those sharing field lessons, relevant to AI governance and responsible tech deployment.
- •Directors observed community resilience, cross-sector collaboration, and creative problem-solving as responses to the challenging landscape.
- •The foundation continues to support journalism, local news, and technology accountability work amid a turbulent information and policy environment.
Cited by 1 page
| Page | Type | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| MacArthur Foundation | Organization | 65.0 |
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# What Our Directors Learned from the Field in 2025
February 2, 2026[Perspectives](https://www.macfound.org/whatsnew/latest-news?content_type=perspectives)[Chicago Commitment](https://www.macfound.org/programs/enduring-commitments/chicago-commitment/)[Climate Solutions](https://www.macfound.org/programs/bigbets/climate-solutions/)[Criminal Justice](https://www.macfound.org/programs/bigbets/criminal-justice/)[Impact Investments](https://www.macfound.org/programs/field-support/impact-investments/)[Journalism & Media](https://www.macfound.org/programs/enduring-commitments/journalism-media/)[Local News](https://www.macfound.org/programs/bigbets/local-news/)[MacArthur Fellows](https://www.macfound.org/programs/awards/fellows/)[Technology in the Public Interest](https://www.macfound.org/programs/field-support/technology-public-interest/)
Our Program Directors answer, “What’s the biggest lesson you learned from the field in this unparalleled year of 2025?”
In 2025, in the United States and abroad, sharp funding cuts, policy shifts, and market disruptions have increased need and intensified challenges in almost every arena—including food and housing; health and the environment; jobs and community development; technological change and the media landscape; scientific research and performing arts; and community safety and justice. Many organizations we support lost resources and staff; many nonprofits closed altogether; and it seems everyone is feeling the strain of the hard work to meet needs in communities.
Considering the tumultuous landscape, we asked our Program Directors to share reflections on, “What’s the biggest lesson you learned from the field in this unparalleled year?”
We found that through it all, we have seen strength, resilience, courage, and care. Communities have come together to help their neighbors; organizations have defended rights and helped families access resources; people have collaborated to find creative solutions; and researchers and storytellers have used their voices to lead.
We are proud to support creative people and effective institutions that have shown leadership, ingenuity, grit, and determination through it all.
We invite you to read our Directors’ full thoughts below.
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