MacArthur Foundation

🎉 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 ⬇️ macfound.org/press/press-re…

Happy #EarthDay! Our recent video series, which features the work of Climate Solutions grantee partners, highlights innovative approaches to clean energy, conservation, community power, and inclusive development. Take a look ⬇️ macfound.org/press/grantee-…

“It should take nonprofits less time to apply for grants and allow them more time to spend on their missions.” Elizabeth Kane, our Managing Director of Core Services, shares how the Philanthropy Data Commons aims to find efficiencies for grantees and grant makers. Read more at @Philanthropy ⬇️ bit.ly/493VSIz

The Chi Media Exchange from Public Narrative will simplify how city, county, and state government departments and agencies place advertising in local media. Funds allocated to community outreach and public information campaigns can better reach and serve the people who need the information. And the Exchange will facilitate a reliable revenue stream for independent local journalism across Chicago, ensuring the dollars benefit the local community. macfound.org/press/grantee-…

The Chicago Commitment team is inviting proposals for a consultant to help launch the Chicago Creative Placekeeping Funders Cohort. Applications due April 17 ⬇️ macfound.org/press/article/…

Preserving human agency and advancing our collective knowledge is crucial in the age of AI. Our President, John Palfrey, explores the role philanthropy can play in solving the challenges in @TIME. #Technology #AI Read more ⬇️ time.com/article/2026/0…

🎉 #ICYMI We recently awarded arts organizations more than $3.8 million for work making Chicago’s cultural assets available to all. A panel of participatory grantmakers reviewed and recommended the organizations for support as part of our Culture, Equity, and the Arts program. Meet the organizations! ⬇️ macfound.org/press/press-re…

With coordinated philanthropic support, arts and cultural strategies can spur economic development in Chicago. The Chicago Commitment team is inviting proposals for a consultant to help launch the Chicago Creative Placekeeping Funders Cohort. More ⬇️ macfound.org/press/article/…

The most important news isn’t always national. It’s what’s happening down the street. #LocalNewsDay Find local news in your neighborhood or community at LocalNewsDay.org!

"We cannot forget that in a democracy, we are not passive observers." In his Annual Essay, our President, John Palfrey, discusses overcoming disruption by reacting, reexamining, and reimagining the future. Visit our website to read his reflections ⬇️ macfound.org/about/reflecti…

🎉 We are excited to share we've awarded arts organizations more than $3.8 million for work making Chicago’s cultural assets available to all. A panel of participatory grantmakers reviewed and recommended the organizations for support as part of our Culture, Equity, and the Arts program. Meet the organizations! ⬇️ bit.ly/4e3kPXU

An @Earthworks report on oil and gas pollution showed communities in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Viginia were unwittingly exposed to cumulative emissions of over 162,000 pounds of methane per hour. Read their findings ⬇️ macfound.org/press/grantee-…

"The next era cannot be defined by faster systems alone, but by thicker, deeper connections." Writing for @TIME, Bing Chen, CEO of @GoldHouseCo, discusses the importance of creating strong social ties in challenging times and shares how culture fosters much needed community. Read more ⬇️ time.com/article/2026/0…

According to a @FloodlightNews investigation, drone footage showed xAi is fueling its data centers in Mississippi with more than a dozen unpermitted gas turbines. Learn more about how the xAi facilities that power Grok are affecting nearby communities ⬇️ macfound.org/press/grantee-…

"We hope to make a lasting contribution to Nigeria and its future." Dr. Kole Shettima, Director of our Nigeria Office, shares how our new initiative, Nigeria Next, aims to empower young people to drive social and economic change. Read more ⬇️ macfound.org/press/perspect…

🇳🇬 Young people in Nigeria are creative, innovative, and engaged. Our new initiative, Nigeria Next, aims to empower them by fostering digital inclusion, economic opportunity, and civic participation. Learn more about the program ⬇️ macfound.org/programs/initi…

"Waste has to do with what we deem as not valuable anymore." #MacFellow and chemical engineer William Tarpeh speaks with @PRX about his work extracting useful chemicals from wastewater. Check out the full conversation ⬇️ #feature5" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">loe.org/shows/shows.ht…

"It’s more important to me to look into what intelligence means as opposed to what it can do for me." #MacFellow Paul Chan speaks with @cultured_mag about his project, "Paul'," an exploration of the intersection of art and AI. Read more ⬇️ culturedmag.com/article/2026/0…

Over 1,000 AI-related bills have been introduced in the U.S. in the last three years. The Center for Technological Responsibility, Reimagination, and Redesign at @BrownUniversity has created a portal to make sense of the AI legislation landscape. More👇 macfound.org/press/grantee-…

An @Earthworks report on oil and gas pollution showed communities in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Viginia were unwittingly exposed to cumulative emissions of over 162,000 pounds of methane per hour. Read their findings ⬇️ macfound.org/press/grantee-…

AI's design, adoption, and governance is a reflection of human decisions, priorities, and power. Today, March 15, at #SXSW2026, our President, John Palfrey, will moderate "Reclaiming our Humanity in the Age of AI" — a panel discussion exploring what it means for people to have a genuine stake in shaping the technology that is reshaping all of us. Details ⬇️ schedule.sxsw.com/2026/events/PP….