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Inside Philanthropy - MacArthur Foundation Grants
webCredibility Rating
3/5
Good(3)Good quality. Reputable source with community review or editorial standards, but less rigorous than peer-reviewed venues.
Rating inherited from publication venue: Inside Philanthropy
This is a philanthropy database profile with minimal relevance to AI safety; MacArthur does fund some technology governance work, but this page focuses on general grantmaking strategy and is not directly related to AI safety research or policy.
Metadata
Importance: 8/100homepagereference
Summary
Inside Philanthropy's profile of the MacArthur Foundation covers its grantmaking priorities, strategic shifts, and funding approach. It details the wind-down of MacArthur's 'Big Bets' strategy by 2026 and the foundation's increased payout rate in response to federal funding freezes under the Trump administration. The profile is aimed at grant-seekers and philanthropy watchers.
Key Points
- •MacArthur's 'Big Bets' grantmaking strategy is winding down and will formally end in 2026, with new priorities to be announced.
- •Foundation increased annual payout to at least 6% for two years in response to Trump administration's freeze on federal grants and foreign aid.
- •Grantmaking spans climate change, democracy, criminal justice reform, racial equity, arts, journalism, and Nigeria programs.
- •Under President John Palfrey, MacArthur has increased DEI commitments and simplified grant application and reporting processes.
- •MacArthur participates in Chicago-area funding collaboratives and makes hundreds of grants per year.
Cited by 1 page
| Page | Type | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| MacArthur Foundation | Organization | 65.0 |
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**OVERVIEW:** The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s grantmaking spans a range of interests including climate change, democracy, criminal justice reform, programs in Nigeria, racial equity, the arts, journalism and more. MacArthur also participates in funding collaboratives in the larger Chicago area, where the foundation is based.
**IP TAKE:** The MacArthur Foundation is an iconic funder that makes hundreds of grants per year. In recent years, MacArthur has been known for its “Big Bet” approach to grantmaking, as it directed significant funding to a small selection of causes. However, MacArthur’s current Big Bets are winding down and will formally end in 2026, as [explored here](https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2024/2/9/macarthurs-big-bets-are-now-winding-down-what-impact-did-they-have-and-what-happens-to-grantees-nownbsp) by IP’s Mike Scutari. The foundation is expected to roll out information about new grantmaking interests in the coming years. Under the leadership of current [president John Palfrey](https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2023/10/12/how-john-palfrey-is-leading-macarthur-into-the-new-era-of-philanthropy), MacArthur has increased its commitment to equity and DEI practices and has simplified its grant application and reporting pr
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