Financial & Grant Information
Financial Overview
In 2008, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation paid out $252.3 million in grants and program-related investments to organizations and individuals in the United States and around the world. Actual cash paid out varies from year to year depending on payment schedules of larger grants.
Payout by Year, 1999-2008
Total dollars paid in 2008:
$252,254,918
Administrative Expenses by Year, 1999-2008
MacArthur's charitable administrative expenses totaled $32.3 million in 2008, about
11.2 percent of total charitable expenditures.
Grants Authorized by Year, 1999-2008
To focus its grantmaking and increase its impact, MacArthur has reduced the number of grants while increasing the size of the average grant. In 2008, the Foundation authorized 571 grants to organizations. The average size of grants was $553,000.
Average Grant Size to Organizations by Year, 1999-2008*
*The increase in the average grant size in 2007 is due in large part to a small number of especially large grant authorizations during 2007. Ten large approvals in 2007 accounted for nearly one-third of the total $327 million authorized.
2008 Program Budgets
Program budgets are approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Working pursuant to these budgets, the Foundation approves grants and makes expenditures during the year. We share these budgets so that you can better understand the Foundation’s priorities. Elsewhere in this annual report, we also provide information about grants authorized and actually paid during the year in carrying out this budget plan.
Budget by Program, 2008
* In addition to grants, the Program on Human and Community Development also authorized $73.8 million in program-related investments in housing and community and economic development.
Program on Global Security and Sustainability, 2008
Program on Human and Community Development, 2008*
* In addition to grants, the Program on Human and Community Development also authorized $73.8 million in program-related investments in housing and community and economic development.
General Program, 2008*
* The Foundation reserves a portion of the General Program budget for time-sensitive, one-time funding opportunities that arise during the year.
Investment Summary
As of December 31, 2008, MacArthur’s assets totalled $5.3 billion. The Foundation’s investment portfolio had a return of -20.1 percent in 2008 net of investment management costs.
The Foundation invests for the long term with the objective of earning a real rate of return, net of expenses, sufficient to fund its charitable giving and operations. The underlying principles of MacArthur’s investment approach may be summarized as follows:
- The Foundation maintains a broadly diversified portfolio with allocation to a variety of asset classes, both public and private.
- The broad diversification, combined with rigorous analytical research, is intended to enable the Foundation to manage risk.
- The Foundation seeks to achieve strong net returns over time at a cost comparable to other institutions with similar asset allocations.
Total Assets and Rate of Return 1998-2008*
| |
Assets |
Rate of Return |
1999 |
$4,629,518,668 |
22.38% |
2000 |
$4,479,153,951 |
2.60% |
2001 |
$4,215,930,831 |
-4.45% |
2002 |
$3,836,621,632 |
-4.79% |
2003 |
$4,530,410,640 |
25.98% |
2004 |
$5,034,822,738 |
17.01% |
2005 |
$5,492,269,240 |
15.47% |
2006 |
$6,178,196,933 |
18.04% |
2007 |
$7,052,165,312 |
19.37% |
2008 |
$5,297,857,351 |
-20.09% |
Average Annual Rate of Return, 1999-2008, 8.15%
* The December 31, 2008, asset value and portfolio return are preliminary.
Audited Financial Report
Download the Foundation’s most recent audited financial report (PDF).
Tax Return (990-PF)
The 990-PF is the tax return that private foundations must file each year with the Internal Revenue Service. It provides financial information about the Foundation's assets, investments, expenses, and grants awarded for the year. If you have questions or would like more information about how to interpret this document please contact our Chief Financial Officer, Marc Yanchura, at (312) 726-8000.
Most recent 990-PF (Year ended December 31, 2007):
Phone: (312) 726-8000