Funding search · EIN 237093598 · Chicago, IL

John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation (Consolidated)

Name: John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation (Consolidated) grants, 2021–2024
Creator: PaperOrbit
License: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organization-public-disclosure-and-availability-requirements

A private foundation (files IRS Form 990-PF). Most private foundations do not take unsolicited applications; the route in is usually a program officer.

7,100
grants reported: $1.67B
total given: 2021–2024
filing years: $100,000
median grant

Based on grants this organization reported to the IRS for tax years 2021–2024. This is what they filed, not a complete record of their giving, and recent years may be incomplete because filings lag.

What they fund

foundation macarthur award fellow justice safety challenge nigeria

Funder website ↗Full IRS filings ↗How this is built Report an error

Funding pattern

What this funder pays for, at what size, and how to position adjacent work. Read from their filings, with every number checked against the record.

Where the money goes

Criminal justice reform, especially the Safety and Justice Challenge jail-reduction network
Climate mitigation: methane, clean energy state policy, just transition funds
Local news and accountability journalism, US and Nigeria
Chicago civic infrastructure, arts, immigration, violence prevention
Democracy, elections, voting access, and civic participation groups
Homelessness, housing instability, and Indigenous-led land and rights work

Typical grant

Median grant is $100,000 and half of all grants fall between $3,000 and $250,000, so the bulk of the file is small and mid-sized. The seven-figure checks go to intermediaries and coordinating bodies inside named initiatives: Community Solutions at $21 million on homelessness, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors at $10 million on AI governance, CUNY Research Foundation at $6.5 million and $4.5 million for Safety and Justice Challenge data and research. Repeat giving is heavy, with Field Foundation of Illinois, Chicago Community Foundation, New Venture Fund, and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors each appearing multiple times in a single year.

Their words

Phrases from their own grant descriptions, worth speaking back to them.

“AS PART OF THE SAFETY AND JUSTICE CHALLENGE”
“IN SUPPORT OF GENERAL OPERATIONS”
“ADDRESS RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES”
“TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE”
“LOCAL NEWS ORGANIZATIONS”
“FOR FLEXIBLE SUPPORT”

Positioning adjacent work

Tie criminal justice work explicitly to reducing unnecessary jail use and racial and ethnic disparities in local jurisdictions.
Frame research as data, coordination, or technical assistance serving a jurisdiction network, not a standalone academic study.
Ask $250,000 to $1 million for a defined project; reserve multimillion asks for coordinating an existing initiative.
Climate proposals should target state and subnational policy advocacy or methane, not general environmental research.

Worth knowing: Illinois recipients outnumber all others nearly four to one, and DC and NY absorb most of the large national checks, so a Chicago tie or a national intermediary role matters. A large share of the money flows through fiscal sponsors and pooled funds like New Venture Fund, Windward Fund, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, and Chicago Community Foundation, which signals long relationships rather than fresh entry points.

17 grants matching “serious” · $5.1M

$675,000
Policy Research · Troy, NY · 2024
In support of technical assistance to local jurisdictions on reducing the over-incarceration of people with serious mental illness as part of the safety and justice challenge
$175,000
The Council of State Governments Ltd · Lexington, KY · 2024
To support state and local leaders on reducing the over-incarceration of people with serious mental illness and racial disparities as part of the safety and justice challenge
$150,000
Judge David L Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law · Washington, DC · 2024
For technical assistance to local jurisdictions on reducing the over-incarceration of people with serious mental illness as part of the safety and justice challenge
$725,000
Policy Research · Troy, NY · 2023
in support of technical assistance to local jurisdictions on reducing the over-incarceration of people with serious mental illness as part of the Safety and Justice Challenge
$190,000
Council of State Governments · Lexington, KY · 2023
to support state and local leaders on reducing the over-incarceration of people with serious mental illness and racial disparities as part of the Safety and Justice Challenge
$175,000
Pew Charitable Trusts · Philadelphia, PA · 2023
in support of a project to foster partnerships between private philanthropic organizations and state and local government to develop alternatives to incarceration for people with serious mental illness as part of the Sa… read allin support of a project to foster partnerships between private philanthropic organizations and state and local government to develop alternatives to incarceration for people with serious mental illness as part of the Safety and Justice Challenge less
$150,000
Judge David L Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law · Washington, DC · 2023
for technical assistance to local jurisdictions on reducing the over-incarceration of people with serious mental illness as part of the Safety and Justice Challenge
$718,630
Policy Research · Troy, NY · 2022
in support of technical assistance to local jurisdictions on reducing the over-incarceration of people with serious mental illness as part of the Safety and Justice Challenge
$325,000
Pew Charitable Trusts · Philadelphia, PA · 2022
in support of a project to foster partnerships between private philanthropic organizations and state and local government to develop alternatives to incarceration for people with serious mental illness as part of the Sa… read allin support of a project to foster partnerships between private philanthropic organizations and state and local government to develop alternatives to incarceration for people with serious mental illness as part of the Safety and Justice Challenge less
$225,000
Council of State Governments · Lexington, KY · 2022
to support state and local leaders on reducing the over-incarceration of people with serious mental illness and racial disparities as part of the Safety and Justice Challenge
$150,000
Judge David L Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law · Washington, DC · 2022
for technical assistance to local jurisdictions on reducing the over-incarceration of people with serious mental illness as part of the Safety and Justice Challenge
$250,000
Council of State Governments · Lexington, KY · 2021
to support its continued participation as a strategic ally and focus on reducing the over-incarceration of people with serious mental illness.
$250,000
Pew Charitable Trusts · Philadelphia, PA · 2021
in support of a project to foster partnerships between private philanthropic organizations and state and local government to develop alternatives to incarceration for people with serious mental illness.
$250,000
Council of State Governments · Lexington, KY · 2021
to support its continued participation as a strategic ally and focus on reducing the over-incarceration of people with serious mental illness.
$250,000
Pew Charitable Trusts · Philadelphia, PA · 2021
in support of a project to foster partnerships between private philanthropic organizations and state and local government to develop alternatives to incarceration for people with serious mental illness.
$200,000
Judge David L Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law · Washington, DC · 2021
for technical assistance to local jurisdictions on reducing the over-incarceration of people with serious mental illness.
$200,000
Judge David L Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law · Washington, DC · 2021
for technical assistance to local jurisdictions on reducing the over-incarceration of people with serious mental illness.

Top recipients

Repeat recipients are the strongest signal of whether a funder has an open door or quietly re-funds the same organizations.

Community Solutions International4 grants · $67.0M
Sesame Workshop3 grants · $63.1M
The Miami Foundation2 grants · $32.8M
Chicago Community Foundation31 grants · $28.9M
New Venture Fund49 grants · $26.5M
Community Solutions International5 grants · $21.0M
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors19 grants · $17.6M
Lever for Change4 grants · $17.0M
United States Energy Foundation6 grants · $13.2M
Sierra Club Foundation4 grants · $13.0M

Giving over time

$678.1M

2021

$314.5M

2022

$319.9M

2023

$356.1M

2024

Grant history

The 100 largest of 7,100 grants.

$32.5M
The Miami Foundation · Miami, FL · 2023
in support of Press Forward
$24.0M
Community Solutions International · New York, NY · 2022
to bring the movement to end homelessness in the U.S. to a tipping point
$23.0M
Community Solutions International · New York, NY · 2023
to bring the movement to end homelessness in the U.S. to a tipping point
$22.9M
Sesame Workshop · New York, NY · 2021
to enhance caregiver-child engagement and improve children's learning and socio-emotional outcomes by implementing a large-scale early childhood intervention in the Syrian response region.
$22.9M
Sesame Workshop · New York, NY · 2021
to enhance caregiver-child engagement and improve children's learning and socio-emotional outcomes by implementing a large-scale early childhood intervention in the Syrian response region
$21.0M
Community Solutions International · New York, NY · 2024
To bring the movement to end homelessness in the u.s. To a tipping point
$17.3M
Sesame Workshop · New York, NY · 2022
to enhance caregiver-child engagement and improve children's learning and socio-emotional outcomes by implementing a large-scale early childhood intervention in the Syrian response region
$10.0M
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors · New York, NY · 2024
In support of the governance of artificial intelligence in the public interest
$10.0M
Community Solutions International · New York, NY · 2021
to bring the movement to end homelessness in the U.S. to a tipping point
$10.0M
Community Solutions International · New York, NY · 2021
to bring the movement to end homelessness in the U.S. to a tipping point.
$7.5M
Rf Catalytic Capital · New York, NY · 2024
In support of invest in our future
$7.2M
Rf Catalytic Capital · New York, NY · 2023
in support of Invest in Our Future
$6.5M
Research Foundation of the City University of New York · New York, NY · 2024
For data and project management and the coordination of technical assistance and support for the safety and justice challenge network
$6.0M
Lever for Change · Chicago, IL · 2021
in support of operations for a new entity whose purpose is to unlock philanthropic capital for global social challenges through a variety of mechanisms including custom competitions and matching philanthropists to ambit… read allin support of operations for a new entity whose purpose is to unlock philanthropic capital for global social challenges through a variety of mechanisms including custom competitions and matching philanthropists to ambitious funding opportunities less
$6.0M
Lever for Change · Chicago, IL · 2021
in support of operations for a new entity whose purpose is to unlock philanthropic capital for global social challenges through a variety of mechanisms, including custom competitions and matching philanthropists to ambi… read allin support of operations for a new entity whose purpose is to unlock philanthropic capital for global social challenges through a variety of mechanisms, including custom competitions and matching philanthropists to ambitious funding opportunities. less
$5.3M
Chicago Community Foundation · Chicago, IL · 2023
in renewed support of the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities
$5.0M
Windward Fund · Washington, DC · 2024
In support of the methane hub
$5.0M
Chicago Sun-Times Media · Chicago, IL · 2023
in support of deepening and expanding news coverage and disseminating its journalism on multiple platforms
$5.0M
Chicago Sun-Times Media · Chicago, IL · 2022
in support of deepening and expanding news coverage and disseminating its journalism on multiple platforms
$5.0M
Howard University · Washington, DC · 2022
in support of the Center for Journalism and Democracy
$5.0M
Lever for Change · Chicago, IL · 2022
in support of operations for a new entity whose purpose is to unlock philanthropic capital for global social challenges through a variety of mechanisms, including custom competitions and matching philanthropists to ambi… read allin support of operations for a new entity whose purpose is to unlock philanthropic capital for global social challenges through a variety of mechanisms, including custom competitions and matching philanthropists to ambitious funding opportunities less
$5.0M
The Barack Obama Foundation · Chicago, IL · 2022
In support of the construction of the Obama Presidential Center, which includes a program space dedicated to leadership training, racial healing, and civic engagement on Chicago's South Side
$5.0M
Iff · Chicago, IL · 2021
in support of America's Cultural Treasures Chicago, an initiative highlighting Chicago's diverse cultural organizations.
$5.0M
Iff · Chicago, IL · 2021
in support of America's Cultural Treasures Chicago an initiative highlighting Chicago's diverse cultural organizations
$4.5M
Research Foundation of the City University of New York · New York, NY · 2024
To support the safety and justice challenge research consortium, a mechanism to administer and manage research projects under the initiative
$4.0M
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Institute · Summit, IL · 2024
In support of general operations
$4.0M
Urban Institute · Washington, DC · 2024
To serve as the coordinator and technical assistance provider for the just home project to advance targeted housing solutions to break the link between housing instability and incarceration under the safety and justice … read allTo serve as the coordinator and technical assistance provider for the just home project to advance targeted housing solutions to break the link between housing instability and incarceration under the safety and justice challenge less
$4.0M
Chicago Community Foundation · Chicago, IL · 2023
in support of the Chicago Community Foundation's activities related to the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities' Neighborhood-Based Action Group
$4.0M
Sierra Club Foundation · Oakland, CA · 2023
to support the Beyond Coal campaign
$4.0M
Windward Fund · Washington, DC · 2023
in support of the Methane Hub
$4.0M
United States Energy Foundation · San Francisco, CA · 2022
in support of state-level advocacy for clean energy policies
$4.0M
Urban Institute · Washington, DC · 2022
to serve as the coordinator and technical assistance provider for an initiative to fund targeted housing solutions to break the link between housing instability and incarceration
$3.5M
United States Energy Foundation · San Francisco, CA · 2023
in support of state-level advocacy for clean energy policies
$3.3M
Research Foundation of the City University of New York · New York, NY · 2022
for data and project management and the coordination of technical assistance and support for the Safety and Justice Challenge Network
$3.3M
Research Foundation of the City University of New York · New York, NY · 2021
for data and project management and the coordination of technical assistance and support for the Safety and Justice Challenge Network.
$3.3M
Research Foundation of the City University of New York · New York, NY · 2021
for data and project management and the coordination of technical assistance and support for the Safety and Justice Challenge Network
$3.3M
William Marsh Rice University · Houston, TX · 2021
reducing newborn mortality through scaling a package of essential neonatal technologies coupled with effective interventions in Malawi Kenya Tanzania and Nigeria
$3.3M
William Marsh Rice University · Houston, TX · 2021
reducing newborn mortality through scaling a package of essential neonatal technologies coupled with effective interventions in Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria.
$3.0M
United States Energy Foundation · San Francisco, CA · 2024
In support of state-level advocacy for clean energy policies
$3.0M
Amalgamated Charitable Foundation · Washington, DC · 2023
in support of the Democracy Frontlines Fund
$3.0M
Sierra Club Foundation · Oakland, CA · 2022
to support the Beyond Coal campaign
$3.0M
William Marsh Rice University · Houston, TX · 2022
reducing newborn mortality through scaling a package of essential neonatal technologies coupled with effective interventions in Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria
$3.0M
Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund · 2021
in support of African continental reparative justice and racial healing work
$3.0M
Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund · 2021
in support of African continental reparative justice and racial healing work.
$3.0M
Allied Media Projects · Detroit, MI · 2021
in support of the Decolonizing Wealth Project.
$3.0M
Allied Media Projects · Detroit, MI · 2021
in support of the Decolonizing Wealth Project
$3.0M
Chicago Community Foundation · Chicago, IL · 2021
in support of the Together We Rise Fund
$3.0M
Chicago Community Foundation · Chicago, IL · 2021
in support of the Together We Rise Fund.
$3.0M
National Audubon Society · New York, NY · 2021
in support of building momentum for climate solutions.
$3.0M
National Audubon Society · New York, NY · 2021
in support of building momentum for climate solutions
$3.0M
Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education · 2021
to coordinate support and enhance the capacity of original inhabitants in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory Abuja
$3.0M
Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education · 2021
to coordinate, support, and enhance the capacity of original inhabitants in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
$3.0M
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors · New York, NY · 2021
in support of its project, Climate Nexus.
$3.0M
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors · New York, NY · 2021
in support of its project Climate Nexus
$3.0M
Sierra Club Foundation · Oakland, CA · 2021
to support the Beyond Coal campaign.
$3.0M
Sierra Club Foundation · Oakland, CA · 2021
to support the Beyond Coal campaign
$3.0M
American Online Giving Foundation · Newark, DE · 2024
Employee matching gifts program
$2.8M
The Field Foundation of Illinois · Chicago, IL · 2024
In support of "a road together (art), an initiative of the field foundation supported by the macarthur foundation"
$2.6M
Chicago Community Foundation · Chicago, IL · 2022
in renewed support of the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities
$2.6M
Chicago Community Foundation · Chicago, IL · 2021
in renewed support of the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities
$2.6M
Chicago Community Foundation · Chicago, IL · 2021
in renewed support of the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities.
$2.6M
The Richard H Driehaus Foundation · Chicago, IL · 2022
in support of implementation of the MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation
$2.6M
The Richard H Driehaus Foundation · Chicago, IL · 2021
in support of implementation of the MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation
$2.6M
The Richard H Driehaus Foundation · Chicago, IL · 2021
in support of implementation of the MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.
$2.5M
The Chicago Community Trust · Chicago, IL · 2024
In support of press forward chicago's leadership in engaging philanthropists and the local journalism community to strengthen and sustain the media organizations and outlets that serve this region's diverse audiences
$2.5M
The Chicago Community Trust · Chicago, IL · 2023
in support of a pooled fund for independent journalism in Chicago
$2.5M
The Field Foundation of Illinois · Chicago, IL · 2023
in support of "A Road Together (ART), an initiative of the Field Foundation supported by the MacArthur Foundation"
$2.5M
Ceres · Boston, MA · 2022
in support of general operations
$2.5M
Smithsonian Institution · Washington, DC · 2022
In support of the curation and digitization of the Johnson Publishing Company Archive for the benefit of the public and for scholarly and educational uses
$2.5M
The African American Policy Forum · New York, NY · 2022
in support of general operations
$2.5M
The J Paul Getty Trust · Los Angeles, CA · 2022
In support of the curation and digitization of the Johnson Publishing Company Archive for the benefit of the public and for scholarly and educational uses
$2.5M
United States Energy Foundation · San Francisco, CA · 2021
in support of state-level advocacy for clean energy policies.
$2.5M
United States Energy Foundation · San Francisco, CA · 2021
in support of state-level advocacy for clean energy policies
$2.5M
Prince Foundation · Chicago, IL · 2022
the MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince
$2.4M
Prince Foundation · Chicago, IL · 2021
the MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince
$2.4M
Prince Foundation · Chicago, IL · 2021
the MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince.
$2.4M
New Venture Fund · Washington, DC · 2022
to support grantmaking that advances the Catalytic Capital Consortium initiative by increasing the knowledge, awareness and use of catalytic capital among investors, including foundations, family offices, donor governme… read allto support grantmaking that advances the Catalytic Capital Consortium initiative by increasing the knowledge, awareness and use of catalytic capital among investors, including foundations, family offices, donor governments and others less
$2.3M
Justice Innovation Inc Dba Center for Justice Innovation · New York, NY · 2023
to provide project coordination and technical assistance to local jurisdictions seeking to reduce jail use safely and address racial and ethnic disparities as part of the Safety and Justice Challenge
$2.3M
Fund for the City of New York · New York, NY · 2021
on behalf of the Center for Court Innovation for project coordination and technical assistance to local jurisdictions seeking to reduce jail use safely and address racial and ethnic disparities.
$2.3M
Fund for the City of New York · New York, NY · 2021
on behalf of the Center for Court Innovation for project coordination and technical assistance to local jurisdictions seeking to reduce jail use safely and address racial and ethnic disparities.
$2.1M
New Venture Fund · Washington, DC · 2021
to support grantmaking that advances the Catalytic Capital Consortium initiative by increasing the knowledge awareness and use of catalytic capital among investors including foundations family offices donor governments … read allto support grantmaking that advances the Catalytic Capital Consortium initiative by increasing the knowledge awareness and use of catalytic capital among investors including foundations family offices donor governments and others less
$2.1M
New Venture Fund · Washington, DC · 2021
to support grantmaking that advances the Catalytic Capital Consortium initiative by increasing the knowledge, awareness and use of catalytic capital among investors, including foundations, family offices, donor governme… read allto support grantmaking that advances the Catalytic Capital Consortium initiative by increasing the knowledge, awareness and use of catalytic capital among investors, including foundations, family offices, donor governments and others. less
$2.1M
Justice Innovation Inc Dba Center for Justice Innovation · New York, NY · 2024
To provide project coordination and technical assistance to local jurisdictions seeking to safely reduce jail use and address racial and ethnic disparities as part of the safety and justice challenge
$2.0M
Acento Accion Local Asociacion Civil · 2024
To strengthen human rights activism in mexico through diversifying philanthropic strategies and increasing equity in access to funds and resources for the mexican states
$2.0M
Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund · Washington, DC · 2024
In support of general operations
$2.0M
League of Conservation Voters Education Fund · Washington, DC · 2024
To support local and statewide public education campaigns about clean energy benefits
$2.0M
Local Independent Online News Publishers · Havertown, PA · 2024
In support of activities and grants to support local news organizations to be financially sustainable
$2.0M
Trace Media · Brooklyn, NY · 2024
In support of general operations
$2.0M
Volcker Alliance · New York, NY · 2024
In support of developing leadership pathways for diverse individuals focused on criminal justice reform and advancing racial equity as part of the safety and justice challenge
$2.0M
Acento Accion Local Asociacion Civil · 2023
to strengthen human rights activism in Mexico through diversifying philanthropic strategies and increasing equity in access to funds and resources for the Mexican states
$2.0M
Array Alliance · Los Angeles, CA · 2023
in support of general operations
$2.0M
Campaign Legal Center · Washington, DC · 2023
in support of general operations
$2.0M
League of Conservation Voters Education Fund · Washington, DC · 2023
to support local and statewide public education campaigns about clean energy benefits
$2.0M
Protect Democracy Project · Washington, DC · 2023
in support of general operations
$2.0M
Acento Accion Local Asociacion Civil · 2022
to strengthen human rights activism in Mexico through diversifying philanthropic strategies and increasing equity in access to funds and resources for the Mexican states, Mexico Legacy Fund
$2.0M
Echoing Green · New York, NY · 2022
in support of general operations
$2.0M
Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated · New York, NY · 2022
to cut methane emissions and reduce harmful climate and environmental impacts resulting from oil and natural gas production
$2.0M
League of Conservation Voters Education Fund · Washington, DC · 2022
to support local and statewide public education campaigns about clean energy benefits
$2.0M
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors · New York, NY · 2022
in support of its project, Climate Nexus
$2.0M
Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism · 2022
to strengthen accountability journalism and civic space at lower levels of government in Nigeria

View all 7,100 grants →

Who else funds this kind of work

Same state

The Chicago Community Trust14,939 grants · $5.82B
The Big Ten Conference60 grants · $3.91B
Feeding America1,190 grants · $1.12B

Similar purposes

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Similar grant size

The Ford Foundation10,731 grants · $2.35B
Silicon Valley Community Foundation10,471 grants · $10.10B
Tides Foundation9,402 grants · $1.86B

Grants already paid are the record; PaperOrbit reads your paper and finds the funders whose record matches it — then explains why.

Search funders like this one

Source: IRS Form 990-PF, Part XV, as filed by the foundation. These are grants already paid — a record of what this funder backs, not an open call.