MacArthur Foundation

We support creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. ⚖️🌿☮️🌎

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

🎉 Today we announce a $100M grant commitment to nonpartisan orgs and coalitions defending the essential elements of our democracy, including protecting fair and safe elections, civic freedoms, and the rule of law.

“Democracy thrives when people are informed, engaged, and feel like their voices matter,” says our President, John Palfrey.

Learn more ⬇️
https://t.co/Gx28GHWfOp

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

Congratulations to this year's Leaders for a New Chicago! This award recognizes community-based leaders who are redefining civic leadership and reimagining Chicago’s future.

The initiative, a collaboration between MacArthur and @FieldFoundation, provides $50,000 in unrestricted funding to each leader.

Meet the awardees! ⬇️

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

"Funding science means supporting the truth that lies at the heart of every democracy."

Writing for @ScienceMagazine, our President, John Palfrey, discusses the critical role that science research plays in advancing knowledge and supporting a healthy democracy.

Read more of his thoughts ⬇️
https://t.co/PROq0yE6Xq

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

Our President, John Palfrey, recently joined Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Dele Olojede at @AspenInstitute's Resnick Aspen Action Forum to discuss courageous leadership in the face of uncertainty.

Watch the full conversation ⬇️
https://t.co/i0jDxHz1xW

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

The Resilient Chicago Fund (RCF) recently awarded $5.5 million to 17 nonprofit organizations to lead projects that will test new ways to deliver essential benefits and services.

Grants range from $100,000 to $500,000 and aim to improve the coordination of services across government agencies and providers.

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

No city stands alone.

Drawing on experiences from Minneapolis, Chicago, and Los Angeles, our President, John Palfrey, joins @McKnightFdn's Tonya Allen and @calfund's Miguel Santana to reflect on what it takes to protect and prepare communities, defend democracy, and stay ready for the next fight.

Read their insights at @SSIReview:
���� https://t.co/9DQtFnHL1o

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be a genius to be awarded a MacArthur Fellowship.

The Foundation does not use the name “genius grant”; the media coined that nickname in 1981, when we named our first class of Fellows, and it stuck.

Read other myths about the Fellowship! ⬇️
https://t.co/QkhfA2zZub

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

July is #DisabilityPrideMonth, a time to celebrate the wisdom of disabled leaders and disability communities who continue to show us the way forward.

We're proud to support organizations like @disability_lab, which focuses on strategic communications and storytelling to shift the narrative on disability.

Learn about their work ⬇️
https://t.co/dNYmr1EvZS

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

@CaringAcrossGen's campaign for 1 Million Care Conversations encourages people to have necessary conversations about what care looks like.

As part of the campaign, the organization supported the film, "Take Me Home," which tells the story of two sisters navigating a complex web of caregiving needs.

Ai-jen Poo, 2014 #MacFellow and Executive Director of Caring Across Generations, and Lydia Storie were executive producers of the film, among others.

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

"Across the peace and security field, leaders are actively developing new visions, strategies, and collaborations to respond to this moment."

In a new Perspective, our President, John Palfrey, introduces our Peace Program to strengthen the peace and security ecosystem, creating new opportunities amid rising global challenges.

Read more of his thoughts ⬇️
https://t.co/JPhE1Vmo1F

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

Last month, supporters, partners, funders, friends, and senior leaders in the field of Community Violence Intervention (CVI) gathered to celebrate 10 years of progress, innovation, and leadership!

In addition to interactive experiences that celebrate creativity, resilience, and the collective effort to build peace in Chicago, the event featured a panel discussion about learnings from the past decade with CVI leaders from several organizations.

Watch the recap! ⬇️

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

After six years as chief conductor, #MacFellow Marin Alsop is departing Ravinia Festival.

Subscribers can read more about her legacy at @chicagotribune ⬇️
https://t.co/ytJAhcprwl

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

In June, our LGBTQ+ Affinity Group invited staff to celebrate Pride at the 55th Annual Chicago Pride Parade.

This year’s theme, Free to Be Proud, was a reminder that Pride began as, and continues to be, a movement for equality.

Check out some highlights below👇

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

Philanthropic leaders, public sector partners, Community Violence Intervention (CVI) practitioners, and other community stakeholders recently gathered to celebrate 10 Years of CVI!

CVI leaders from @ChicagoCred, Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities, @NonviolenceChi, and @MPInitiatives spoke about learnings from the past decade.

Check out a few highlights ⬇️

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

"The desire for a democracy that works for everyone is not a partisan pursuit."

@BridgespanGroup recently shared how funders can bolster their efforts to strengthen democracy by investing in pluralism.

Read some of their insights at @npquarterly ⬇️
https://t.co/fgFJaJ4iCq

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

For 250 years, Americans have shown up for each other through neighbors helping neighbors, communities rallying around a cause, and foundations investing in what matters most.

That tradition is alive and well across our nation. Explore the stories. #GenerosityBuilds

🔗 https://t.co/KGUkqhGioF

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

Last month, the Chicago Cultural Alliance (CCA) bestowed the Cultural Investment Award to the MacArthur Foundation!

Tara Magner, Director of our Chicago Commitment program, accepted the award on behalf of the Foundation at CCA's 2026 Mosaic Gala, which was held at Epiphany Center for the Arts.

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

Congratulations to the 79th Street Renaissance Festival on being recognized with the MacArthur Foundation 2026 Creative Places Award at the Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards!

Since 2005, the Festival has lit up Auburn Gresham with a celebration of the neighborhood’s culture, creativity, and aspirations.

Learn about its history and impact ⬇️
https://t.co/OCUHt2v4o2

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

“This is America. People pitching in, offering a meal, caring for one another, sharing solidarity.”

Our President, @JPalfrey, with Tonya Allen of @McKnightFdn and Deepak Bhargava of Freedom Together Foundation, writes that The Courage Project has shown the kind of country America can be.

Full story in @Philanthropy ⬇️
https://t.co/g1HQDNyGCC

[MacArthur Foundation @macfound]

🎉 Congratulations to @KathyIm2 on receiving the 2026 @AAJA Changemaker of the Year award!

Kathy, Director of our Journalism and Media program, was honored for her exceptional leadership and impactful contributions to the AAPI community in the journalism funding landscape.