Impact Investments

Building the field of impact investing and providing catalytic capital to address social and environmental challenges around the world.

Overview

We invest catalytic capital to fill significant gaps left by the conventional marketplace and unlock additional capital from other sources for mission-driven intermediaries and enterprises. New impact investments are developed in collaboration with MacArthur program teams and investment partners to advance institutional priorities, initiatives, and programs.

In addition to our impact investments, we award about $5 million in grants each year. Our grantmaking goals are to strengthen and grow the field of impact investing globally, build the ecosystem for catalytic capital, and advance equity and inclusion in the fields of investment and finance.

Current Priorities for New Impact Investments


Chicago Commitment
Expand access to flexible, risk-tolerant capital for developers engaged in community-centered real estate projects and creative placemaking efforts; provide loans to arts and culture organizations to address cash flow shortages and strengthen the financial capacity.

Climate Solutions
Accelerate innovation and the deployment of clean energy and technology in India and the United States, especially within communities that are often underserved.

Native Self-Determination
Invest in financial intermediaries that build the economic power and cultural independence of Indigenous people.

Just Home Project 
Invest in new housing models that help break the link between housing instability and jail incarceration.

Local News
Investments to foster strong local news ecosystems that strengthen civic engagement.

Journalism and Media
Provide financing solutions to film and media production that informs, engages, and activates people through accurate, just, and inclusive narratives.

Current Priorities for Field Support Grants


Strengthen the Catalytic Capital Ecosystem
Increase knowledge, awareness, and use of catalytic capital globally through the Catalytic Capital Consortium initiative.

Build Field Infrastructure
Support impact investor engagement, learning, connection, and collaboration through networks globally.

Support Impact Integrity and Policy
Strengthen standards, transparency, and accountability, including the practice of impact measurement and management, and inform public policy.

Advance Equity and Inclusion
Support more inclusive investing and finance fields.

Eligibility


Recipients of our grants and impact investments include traditional nonprofits, for-profit enterprises, funds, special-purpose funds, public agencies, and quasi-governmental entities. Impact investments may take the form of debt, equity, or a guarantee and may be structured as Program-Related Investments or Mission-Related Investments depending on specific investment characteristics and purpose.

 

 

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While we are not accepting unsolicited proposals at this time, we are always eager to hear new ideas and perspectives.