John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is a US-based independent foundation with offices in India, and Nigeria. The foundation was established in 1978, initially endowed by John D. MacArthur’s bequest.
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant and peaceful world. The MacArthur Foundation is placing a few big bets that truly significant progress is possible on some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions, decreasing nuclear risk, promoting local justice reform in the U.S., and reducing corruption in Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria. In addition to the MacArthur Fellows Program and the global 100&Change competition, the Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsive democracy, as well as the vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago.
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation provided USD 121.6 million for development in 2021 through its grantmaking activities. Compared to 2020, this amount represents an increase of 8.9% in real terms. Grants represented 88.9% of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s gross disbursements, while 11.1% was extended in the form of equity investments.
In 2021, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation provided all of its development finance through bilateral channels, such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society (USD 99.2 million), Public-Private Partnerships and the private sector (USD 11.7 million) and universities, research institutes or think-tanks (USD 10.7 million).
In 2021, civil society organisations (CSOs) received USD 99.2 million (81.6%) of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s development finance. A share of 5.2% of the foundation’s development finance was allocated to CSOs as core support, while 76.3% was earmarked to specific projects. Almost half (43.7%) of the foundation’s finance to these channels was extended recipient country-based CSOs.
In 2021, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s development finance was primarily focused on Africa, South Asia and the Middle East. USD 43.6 million was allocated to Africa and USD 23.3 million to South Asia and USD 22.8 to the Middle East, accounting respectively for 35.9%. 19.2% and 18.8 of the foundation’s development finance. A sum of USD 22 million (18.1%) was unspecified by region in 2021, mainly including multi-regional programmes, core support and research grants.
In 2021, 74.1% of development finance went to the top 10 recipients. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s most significant recipients included Nigeria (USD 33.3 million), India (USD 16.6 million) and India (USD 6.8 million). Moreover, 21.5% of development finance was not allocated by country.
Least developed countries (LDCs) received USD 5.5 million (4.6%) of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s gross disbursements in 2021. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation allocated the highest share of its development finance (48.1%) to lower middle-income countries in 2021, followed by upper middle-income countries (21.2%) in 2021, noting that USD 26.1 million (21.5%) was unallocated by income group.
Fragile contexts
Support to fragile contexts reached USD 52.1 million in 2021, representing 42.9% of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s development finance. Of this, extremely fragile contexts received USD 11.4 million.
Learn more about support to fragile contexts on the States of Fragility platform.
Sectors
In 2021, more than half of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s commitments were allocated to social infrastructure and services. Investments in this area accounted for 70.5% of the foundation’s commitments (USD 97.9 million), with a strong focus on support to government & civil society (USD 72.6 million), health and population (USD 22.8 million) and other social infrastructure & services (USD 2.4 million). Contributions to other macro sectors totalled USD 25.6 million (18.5%), mainly focusing on general environment protection (USD 25.4 million).
Sustainable Development Goals
In 2021, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation committed the largest shares of its contributions to the goals of peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG 16), reduced inequalities (SDG 10) and climate action (SDG 13) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. Support to gender equality (SDG 5) amounted to USD 10.2 million, and contributions to climate action (SDG 13) totalled USD 39.8 million.
Official website: https://www.macfound.org/
The methodological notes provide further details on the definitions and statistical methodologies applied, including core and earmarked contributions to multilateral organisations, the Sustainable Development Goal focus of private development finance, channels of delivery, unspecified/unallocated allocations, the gender equality policy marker, and the environment markers.