Enduring Commitments

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

Chicago Commitment

Our commitment to Chicago is deep and enduring, with support to creative and effective organizations working to improve the quality of life and the prospects for resident, and make our hometown a city where opportunity is equitable, and justice can thrive.

Journalism & Media

Working to strengthen American democracy by informing, engaging, and activating Americans through deep investments in independent journalism and media

Guiding Questions

The following guiding questions help us define what work qualifies as an Enduring Commitment.

Ideal: Is The Value Incontrovertible?

Does this issue or topic reflect the core values of the MacArthur Foundation? Why is philanthropic support important in this space? Is there an opportunity to contribute to change or improvement? Does it have truly significant implications for people and society?

Enduring Commitment: Why Us?

Does the MacArthur Foundation have unique nontransferable assets that can be used or leveraged to generate changes or improvement in this particular space? Does the issue or topic area capitalize on Foundation knowledge, experience, expertise, or standing? Does achieving results require a more open-ended engagement in this space rather than a time-limited intervention?

Goal: What Do We Want?

What is our goal? What are the factors, trends or conditions that increase confidence that a strategy or strategies can be implemented and we can achieve our goal?

Challenge: What Will it Take?

Resources; will; time; commitment; leadership; collective action; evidence; changes in behavior, policy or practice; other?

Unknowns: What is Not Known?

What must be known before proceeding? What will need to be known over time to ensure achievement of the goal?

Action: What Will We Do?

What action, approach, or strategy for MacArthur is proposed? What will it take? Why is it feasible? What is the degree of possibility? Does it reflect ambition? Does it reflect independent thinking or willingness to take a contrarian view? Does it fill a gap? Does it leverage others’ actions or resources? Is it likely to achieve important outcomes and contribute to impact? Is it intended to achieve the goal or make substantial, but essential, progress toward it? What would success look like?