About our grantmaking
Through the Models for Change initiative, MacArthur supports reform in 16 states and aims to help accelerate a national juvenile justice reform movement to improve the lives of young people in trouble with the law, while enhancing public safety and holding young offenders accountable for their actions.
Latest news
January 26, 2012
In a new partnership, the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and the MacArthur Foundation are jointly offering $2 million in funding to support innovative and effective best practices in juvenile justice reform across the country. Juvenile justice reform enhances public safety, produces better outcomes for youth and communities, and saves taxpayer money. Read the press release»
January 6, 2012
The National Conference of State Legislators has published a guidebook addressing the most important juvenile justice policy issues of the day. This juvenile justice primer highlights significant research and program approaches and provides examples of state legislation. Read the guidebook overview »
October 25, 2011
Findings from a 1,000 person national survey about adults’ attitudes on juvenile services showed strong support for a system realigned around rehabilitation. Four out of five adults in the survey thought judges should be in charge of transfers; and three out of four believe juvenile offenders should be approached with the idea that they are highly capable of positive growth. The survey was commissioned by the Campaign for Youth Justice, a grantee of MacArthur’s Models for Change juvenile justice reform initiative. More »
The Seattle Times, June 24, 2011
Pre-court truancy intervention is the best way to keep kids in the classroom and prevent the crippling effects of chronic truancy by at-risk youth on themselves and their communities, according to The Seattle Times guest columnist Bobbe Bridge — president and CEO of the Center for Children & Youth Justice in Seattle, a grantee of MacArthur's Models for Change juvenile justice reform initiative. Read the opinion-editorial »
March 6, 2011
According to The New York Times, "a consensus is emerging" that youth offenders are often mishandled by the court system for adults. This story cites research by the Vera Institute for Justice, a MacArthur grantee, that finds transferring 16- and 17-year olds out of North Carolina's adult system would generate significant savings. Read more »
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