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JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION

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uuid004trg7

Namestring
JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION
Legal namestring
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Websiteurl
macfdn.org
Company typeenum
Private
Founded yearint
1978
Operating statusenum
Operating
Ownership categoryenum
Headcount rangeband
1–10
akta.pro rankint
HeadquartersChicago, United States
HQ citystring
Chicago
HQ countrystring
United States
HQ regionstring
North America
Markets served

Serves global market

Offices3 records

Each record includes

City, Country, Type, Description, Source

Keyword5 values
private foundation, grantmaking services, philanthropic grants, fellowship programs, impact investing
Industry5 codes
1Private Foundations
CodeBPAGAKAAPrimaryYes
2International Grantmaking & Development Foundations
CodeBPAGAKAHPrimaryNo
3Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations
CodeBPAGAKAMPrimaryNo
4Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts
CodeEDADAHACPrimaryNo
5Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations
CodeBPAGAKAIPrimaryNo
NAICS code3 codes
  • Grantmaking Foundations813211
  • Grantmaking and Giving Services8132
  • Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations813
Product category
Philanthropic Foundation / Grantmaking Services
Marketing channels8 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Stage, Description, Source

Distribution channels1 record

Each record includes

Title, Type, Scope, Target buyer, Description, Source

Cost components6 values
Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
GTM typeB2B
B2B
Offering typeServices
Services
Brand1 of 7 records shown
1MacArthur Fellows
Description

Prestigious fellowship program awarding $800,000 to exceptional individuals who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits

macfound.org
+6 more records
Core offering1 text field

The MacArthur Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation that awards grants, fellowships, and impact investments to nonprofit organizations, scholars, journalists, and creative individuals addressing critical social challenges such as climate change, criminal justice reform, AI, local news sustainability, and community development. It operates program areas (Big Bets, Enduring Commitments, Awards, Field Support, Initiatives) and supporting tools including a grantee portal and searchable grant/fellows databases, with more than $8.27 billion historically awarded across 10,746 organizations in 119 countries.

Differentiator
Functional benefit
Problem solved
Quantifiable outcome1 value
  • Over 10,746 organizations funded across 119 countries with $8.27B+ in total grant awards
Product overview1 text field

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is a private foundation that makes grants and investments to support organizations and individuals working on critical social challenges. The foundation operates several interconnected program areas: Big Bets (AI Opportunity, Climate Solutions, Criminal Justice, Local News), Enduring Commitments (Chicago Commitment, Journalism & Media), Awards (MacArthur Fellows, 100&Change), Field Support (Impact Investments, Philanthropy, Technology in the Public Interest), and Initiatives (New Work, Nigeria Next). The foundation's products include grant-making programs, award competitions, searchable databases (Grant Search, Fellows Search), and a Grantee Portal. Total impact: $8.27B+ awarded to 10,746 organizations across 119 countries.

Product and service8 records
1MacArthur Fellows Program
CategoryAward / Fellowship Program
2100&Change
CategoryAward / Competition
3Big Bets Program Area
CategoryGrantmaking Program
4Enduring Commitments Program Area
CategoryGrantmaking Program
5Field Support Program Area
CategoryField Support / Impact Investments
6Grant Search
CategorySearchable Database / Tool
7Fellows Search
CategorySearchable Database / Tool
8Grantee Portal
CategoryOnline Portal
Scale indicator3 records

Each record includes

Type, Value, Description, Source

Expansion highlight5 records

Each record includes

Type, Description

Peers10 records
TypeEmerging player
Description

Large US private foundation focused on health equity and social determinants of health. Comparable in scale and grantmaking model, though more sector-concentrated than MacArthur's diversified portfolio.

TypeDirect peer
Description

One of the largest US private foundations with global grantmaking across social justice, economic inequality, and democracy. Comparable to MacArthur in scale, geographic reach, and program-driven approach.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Large US private foundation working on global health, climate, and equity, with significant international grantmaking. Closely comparable to MacArthur in mission scope and global footprint.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Long-established US private foundation focused on education, democracy, and international peace. Comparable in long-horizon grantmaking and global orientation to MacArthur.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

The largest US private foundation, with global health and education as dominant program areas. Comparable in scale and global operations, though far larger and more health-focused than MacArthur.

TypeDirect peer
Description

US private foundation with programs in climate, health, and equitable cities. Comparable in programmatic grantmaking structure and mid-to-large scale, though with a more place-based orientation.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Large private foundation active in environment, public health, and journalism. Directly comparable to MacArthur in operating model and overlapping focus areas like local news sustainability.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Large US private foundation addressing environment, education, and global development. Comparable in grantmaking model, though with a smaller endowment and more focused geographic footprint than MacArthur.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Major private foundation network operating globally on human rights, governance, and media. Comparable in global grantmaking scale, though more advocacy-oriented than MacArthur.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Major US private foundation focused on arts, humanities, and higher education. Comparable to MacArthur in operating model and large-scale, programmatic grantmaking within defined focus areas.

Market position
Strengths5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Weaknesses4 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Competitive moat4 records

Each record includes

Type, Details

Key risks1 record

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Key highlights6 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Customer concentration

Classification, Details

Segment3 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Primary, Description, Pain point addressed, Use case, Source

Ideal customer profile3 records

Each record includes

Profile, Firmographic size, Sales motion, Sales cycle length, Buying structure, Purchase trigger, Buyer persona, Geography, Industry vertical, Primary use case, Description, Pain points, Evidence proof points, Target buyer

Technology focused
No
API detail
Has APIbool
No

Docs URL, Description

AI maturity
App detail

Has app

Core technology
Revenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Number of profiles
Profiles1 record

Each record includes

Name, Designation, Designation category, Overview, Profile commentary, Source

No data
No data
Funding overview

Funding stage, Last funding date, Total funding USD

Funding rounds

Each record includes

Round, Amount USD, Date, Pre money valuation, Total investors, Investors, News

Investors

Each record includes

Name, Type, Date of entry, Rounds participated, Website

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Each record includes

Name, Acquisition type, Announced date, Completed date, Status, Website, News

Investment

Each record includes

Name, Round, Announced date, Lead investor, Website, News

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION

Philanthropic Foundation / Grantmaking Servicesmacfdn.org

JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION firmographics

Firmographics
Name
JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION
Legal name
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Website
https://macfdn.org
Company type
Private
Founded year
1978
Operating status
Operating
Headcount range
1–10 employees
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION industry classification

Industry
Product category
Philanthropic Foundation / Grantmaking Services
NAICS
Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)
akta.pro primary industry
Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)
akta.pro secondary industries
International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

Keywords

  • Private foundation
  • Grantmaking services
  • Philanthropic grants
  • Fellowship programs
  • Impact investing

Where JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city
Chicago
HQ country
United States
HQ region
North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION business model

Business model
GTM type
B2B
Offering type
Services
Cost components
Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION product offering

Product offering

Core offering

The MacArthur Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation that awards grants, fellowships, and impact investments to nonprofit organizations, scholars, journalists, and creative individuals addressing critical social challenges such as climate change, criminal justice reform, AI, local news sustainability, and community development. It operates program areas (Big Bets, Enduring Commitments, Awards, Field Support, Initiatives) and supporting tools including a grantee portal and searchable grant/fellows databases, with more than $8.27 billion historically awarded across 10,746 organizations in 119 countries.

Product overview

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is a private foundation that makes grants and investments to support organizations and individuals working on critical social challenges. The foundation operates several interconnected program areas: Big Bets (AI Opportunity, Climate Solutions, Criminal Justice, Local News), Enduring Commitments (Chicago Commitment, Journalism & Media), Awards (MacArthur Fellows, 100&Change), Field Support (Impact Investments, Philanthropy, Technology in the Public Interest), and Initiatives (New Work, Nigeria Next). The foundation's products include grant-making programs, award competitions, searchable databases (Grant Search, Fellows Search), and a Grantee Portal. Total impact: $8.27B+ awarded to 10,746 organizations across 119 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

  • MacArthur Fellows: Prestigious fellowship program awarding $800,000 to exceptional individuals who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits
  • 100&Change
  • Big Bets
  • Chicago Commitment
  • Journalism & Media
  • Impact Investments
  • Technology in the Public Interest

Products and services

  • MacArthur Fellows Program
  • 100&Change
  • Big Bets Program Area
  • Enduring Commitments Program Area
  • Field Support Program Area
  • Grant Search
  • Fellows Search
  • Grantee Portal

Quantifiable outcome

  • Over 10,746 organizations funded across 119 countries with $8.27B+ in total grant awards

Companies that use JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION

Customer profile

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API
No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Scale indicators3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Emerging players

  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Large US private foundation focused on health equity and social determinants of health. Comparable in scale and grantmaking model, though more sector-concentrated than MacArthur's diversified portfolio.

Direct peers

  • Ford Foundation: One of the largest US private foundations with global grantmaking across social justice, economic inequality, and democracy. Comparable to MacArthur in scale, geographic reach, and program-driven approach.
  • Rockefeller Foundation: Large US private foundation working on global health, climate, and equity, with significant international grantmaking. Closely comparable to MacArthur in mission scope and global footprint.
  • Carnegie Corporation of New York: Long-established US private foundation focused on education, democracy, and international peace. Comparable in long-horizon grantmaking and global orientation to MacArthur.
  • Kresge Foundation: US private foundation with programs in climate, health, and equitable cities. Comparable in programmatic grantmaking structure and mid-to-large scale, though with a more place-based orientation.
  • Bloomberg Philanthropies: Large private foundation active in environment, public health, and journalism. Directly comparable to MacArthur in operating model and overlapping focus areas like local news sustainability.
  • Hewlett Foundation: Large US private foundation addressing environment, education, and global development. Comparable in grantmaking model, though with a smaller endowment and more focused geographic footprint than MacArthur.
  • Open Society Foundations: Major private foundation network operating globally on human rights, governance, and media. Comparable in global grantmaking scale, though more advocacy-oriented than MacArthur.
  • Andrew W. Mellon Foundation: Major US private foundation focused on arts, humanities, and higher education. Comparable to MacArthur in operating model and large-scale, programmatic grantmaking within defined focus areas.

Broad incumbents

  • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: The largest US private foundation, with global health and education as dominant program areas. Comparable in scale and global operations, though far larger and more health-focused than MacArthur.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION social profiles

Digital presence

JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION

What does JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION do?

The MacArthur Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation that awards grants, fellowships, and impact investments to nonprofit organizations, scholars, journalists, and creative individuals addressing critical social challenges such as climate change, criminal justice reform, AI, local news sustainability, and community development. It operates program areas (Big Bets, Enduring Commitments, Awards, Field Support, Initiatives) and supporting tools including a grantee portal and searchable grant/fellows databases, with more than $8.27 billion historically awarded across 10,746 organizations in 119 countries.

Is JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION a public or private company?

JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.

When was JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION founded?

JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION was founded in 1978. It employs 1 to 10 people.

Where is JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION based?

JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.

Who are JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION's main competitors?

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Kresge Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Hewlett Foundation, Open Society Foundations and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is listed as a broad incumbent.

Does JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION have an API?

No public API is recorded for JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION.

What industry is JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION in?

JOHN D AND CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION's product category is Philanthropic Foundation / Grantmaking Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAA, Private Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAH, International Grantmaking & Development Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211.

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Live signals
PBS.orgThis year's MacArthur 'geniuses' include scholars and artists who confront historyThe MacArthur Foundation announced its 2026 fellows class on Tuesday, selecting 20 individuals across disciplines to receive $800,000 over five years. The awardees, including saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins and painter Vincent Valdez, will use the no-strings-attached grants to pursue their artistic and scholarly visions.PR NewswireCoalition Launches Historic $50 Million Initiative to Bolster Nonprofit Literary ArtsA coalition of seven charitable foundations—the Ford Foundation, Hawthornden Foundation, Lannan Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Mellon Foundation, Poetry Foundation, and an anonymous foundation—announced the launch of the Literary Arts Fund, committing at least $50 million over five years to strengthen the nonprofit literary arts field in the United States. The initiative addresses chronic underfunding, as literature received only 1.9% of the $5 billion in arts grants awarded in 2023, while also countering shrinking public funding and rising operating costs. Jennifer Benka, a veteran literary leader, has been appointed to direct the fund, which will award grants to U.S.-based nonprofit literary organizations through an annual open call beginning November 10.PR NewswireW.K. Kellogg Foundation announces five awardees to receive $80 million to advance global racial equityThe W.K. Kellogg Foundation announced five awardees for its Racial Equity 2030 challenge, committing $80 million over eight years to support solutions addressing racial inequities globally. The challenge received 1,453 submissions from 72 countries and selected initiatives focused on education transformation in Brazil, community healing in Chicago, Indigenous land rights in the Americas, environmental justice in Kenya and Sierra Leone, and youth incarceration in Hawaii. The initiative is managed in partnership with Lever for Change, an affiliate of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.AxiosTimeline: How UNC lost Nikole Hannah-Jones after allNikole Hannah-Jones accepted Howard University's Knight Chair in Race and Journalism, turning down UNC-Chapel Hill's tenure offer. Howard will fund the position with $20 million from four donors, including the MacArthur Foundation. UNC's leadership faces uncertainty over recruitment and retention.PR NewswireSouthland Economic Transformation Fund Awards Over $400,000 to 10 Innovative ProjectsThe South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association and the Southland Development Authority awarded over $400,000 in grants to ten innovative projects aimed at strengthening the economy of Chicago's South Suburbs. The initiative, supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, selected winners from nearly 60 proposals, including initiatives focused on technology incubation, manufacturing productivity, and workforce training.PR NewswireGrammy-Winning Artists Answer Earth's CallEarth's Call, a newly launched nonprofit focused on funding innovative climate solutions, is hosting a three-day event May 17-19, 2019 at the Aspen Music Festival to draw attention to environmental causes through performances by Grammy-winning artists. The organization has committed $50 million to fund vetted climate solutions through a cornerstone partnership with Lever for Change, an affiliate of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.Stanford Social Innovation ReviewMarket Making for MissionThe John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is expanding its impact investing strategy by deploying a dedicated $500 million pool to act as a market maker, aiming to bridge capital gaps for high-impact enterprises. The foundation has already mobilized $100 million through collaborations with partners like The Chicago Community Trust and Calvert Foundation, while also providing liquidity support to entities such as Housing Partnership Equity Trust. These initiatives are designed to make the global impact investment marketplace more inclusive and efficient.Scripps ResearchPhil Baran Wins MacArthur FellowshipPhil S. Baran, a chemist at The Scripps Research Institute, has been awarded the 2013 MacArthur Fellowship, which provides $625,000 over five years from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The award recognizes his innovative work in synthetic organic chemistry to reduce the cost and complexity of synthesizing pharmaceuticals for diseases such as cancer. Baran is also noted as the co-founder of Sirenas Marine Discovery.