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Financial Overview

Over our 40-year history, MacArthur has awarded more than $6.8 billion to nearly 10,000 effective organizations and creative individuals in 116 countries and all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In 2017, the Foundation paid out $255.7 million in grants and impact investments to organizations and individuals in the United States and around the world. Actual cash paid out varies from year to year and will differ from the amounts budgeted because of the timing of the payment of grants, including large grants and those involving multiyear funding. MacArthur's charitable administrative expenses totaled $49 million in 2017, about 14 percent of total charitable expenses.

	0	$50M	$100M	$150M	$200M	$250M	$300M
2017	$255,700,000
2016	$271,300,000
2015	$257,300,000
2014	$231,400,000
2013	$228,400,000
2012	$215,200,000
2011	$239,900,000
2010	$243,776,078
2009	$298,527,310
2008	$253,226,684
2007	$267,232,035
2006	$234,949,456
2005	$194,621,855
2004	$216,573,776
2003	$203,253,166
2002	$209,916,023
2001	$177,945,326
2000	$170,522,738
1999	$172,582,350
1998	$130,519,437
1997	$166,475,932
1996	$148,616,138
1995	$136,743,670
1994	$123,879,275
1993	$135,030,244
1992	$137,232,804
1991	$130,491,197
1990	$121,725,981
1989	$118,861,649
1988	$116,452,920
1987	$109,348,952
1986	$101,935,582
1985	$54,048,491
1984	$65,150,298
1983	$26,375,988
1982	$22,283,124
1981	$31,818,060
1980	$41,703,213
1979	$2,263,938
1978	$50,000

2017 Program Budgets

Program budgets are approved by the Foundation Board of Directors. Working pursuant to these budgets, the Foundation approves grants and impact investments and makes expenditures during the year. We share these budgets so that you can better understand the Foundation's priorities.

Budget by Program*

*In addition to grants, $21.7 million was authorized for impact investments.

Big Bets ›

Striving toward transformative change in areas of profound concern, Big Bets are an all-in, timely commitment of talent, resources, time, and reputation toward real change that matters for many people.

Enduring Commitments ›

Areas of work in which we have long-standing, deep engagement

*Additonal Details on Chicago Grantmaking
Chicago Commitment does not represent all resources made available to Chicago organizations or benefiting the city and its residents. Such awards were made through other programs, including Cities; Climate Solutions; Criminal Justice; Journalism & Media; Migration; Nuclear Challenges; Impact Investments; and the MacArthur Fellows Program.