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 The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

 gale views updated The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation 

 140 S. Dearborn Street
 Chicago , Illinois 60603
U.S.A.
Telephone: (312) 726-8000
Fax: (312) 920-6284
Web site: http://www.macfound.org 

 Private Foundation
Founded: 1978
 Employees: 200
 Total Assets: $4 billion (1999 est.)
 NAIC: 813211 Grantmaking Foundations

 The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation , one of the largest grantmaking foundations in the United States , is most widely known for its “ genius ” awards — the MacArthur Fellows Program which awards grants to creative individuals in any field. In addition to the Fellows Program, the Foundation ’ s grantmaking programs are the Program on Human and Community Development, the Program on Global Security and Sustainability, and the General Program. Through these programs, the Foundation funds research, education, and policy development on such topics as U.S. energy efficiency, public school reform, arms reduction, biodiversity, and youth development.

 From Rascal to Millionaire: 1897-1945

 John Donald MacArthur was born in 1897, in eastern Pennsylvania , the youngest of seven children. His father, William, left the coal mines to become a traveling evangelist, eventually rising to national prominence. John dropped out of school in the eighth grade, where, according to Foundation literature, he was bright but “ extremely mischievous. ” One story had it that he was expelled from school for a week for climbing into a girls ’ dormitory. He headed for Chicago a few years later and went to work as a salesman at his brother ’ s insurance company. He obviously found his niche — when he was 19, he sold $1 million in policies in one year.

 When the United States entered World War I , MacArthur wanted to see action. He joined the U.S. Navy but left when he was not sent overseas. The same thing happened when he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. Eventually he was caught trying to stow away on a troop ship headed for Europe .

 MacArthur tried his hand at journalism, working as a cub reporter for the Chicago Herald and Examiner , and then turned to small business ventures. In 1919, he married Louise Ingalls, with whom he had two children, Roderick and Virginia, and whom he later divorced. MacArthur returned to the insurance industry following his business attempts, working for an annual salary of $10,000.

 In 1928, at age 30, he went into business for himself, buying the Marquette Life Insurance Company, which had assets of $15.31. He met and married Catherine Hyland, a secretary at his brother ’ s insurance company. Unlike John, Catherine was detail-oriented, and she quickly became part of his business, handling 

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