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Background reference on a major philanthropic funder relevant to understanding the AI safety and governance funding landscape; not a primary AI safety resource but useful for understanding institutional actors.
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Summary
An encyclopedic reference entry on the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, a major philanthropic organization that funds research and initiatives across numerous fields including security, technology, and public interest work. The foundation is notable for its 'genius grants' and significant funding in areas relevant to technology governance and global security.
Key Points
- •MacArthur Foundation is a major U.S. philanthropic organization founded in 1978 with multi-billion dollar endowment
- •Funds programs in areas including global security, climate, justice, and emerging technology governance
- •Known for MacArthur Fellows Program ('genius grants') supporting innovative thinkers across disciplines
- •Has supported AI governance and technology policy research as part of its broader security and social change mandate
- •Relevant to AI safety ecosystem as a significant funder of policy and governance initiatives
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| Page | Type | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| MacArthur Foundation | Organization | 65.0 |
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# The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
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# The [John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation](https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/economics-business-and-labor/private-foundations/john-d-and-catherine-t)
**140 S. Dearborn Street**
**[Chicago](https://www.encyclopedia.com/places/united-states-and-canada/us-political-geography/chicago), [Illinois](https://www.encyclopedia.com/places/united-states-and-canada/us-political-geography/illinois) 60603**
**U.S.A.**
**Telephone: (312) 726-8000**
**Fax: (312) 920-6284**
**Web site: [http://www.macfound.org](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](https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/economics-business-and-labor/private-foundations/john-d-and-catherine-t), one of the largest grantmaking foundations in the [United States](https://www.encyclopedia.com/places/united-states-and-canada/us-political-geography/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](https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/education/education-terms-and-concepts/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](https://www.encyclopedia.com/places/united-states-and-canada/us-political-geography/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 [Uni
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