Summary
Lever for Change was born of the success of MacArthur’s 100&Change competition, which awarded its first $100 million grant in 2017. That initial award leveraged an additional $511 million in funding, spurring the philanthropic sector to rethink its approach to achieving impact at scale.
Founded in 2019 by MacArthur, Lever for Change is now an independent nonprofit that supports donors of all sizes to meet their philanthropic goals. As of 2026, Lever for Change has influenced over $2.6 billion in awards and provided support to more than 500 organizations. Lever for Change’s goal is to unlock a total of $10 billion in funding by the end of 2030.
Lever for Change is dedicated to tackling the world’s biggest problems—ranging from climate action and economic opportunity to health care access. By matching donors with trusted social innovators—through customized open calls and tailored funding opportunities—Lever for Change helps to find and fund bold, effective solutions to accelerate social change.
Why Lever for Change is Needed
The typical philanthropic grant made by America’s large foundations is about $50,000 and lasts approximately 18 months. This kind of small-scale philanthropy constrains effective leaders, forcing them to keep their ambitions and programs modest. The success of 100&Change spurred the philanthropic sector to rethink its approach to achieving large-scale, long-term impact.
Lever for Change enables donors to discover and invest in organizations with transformative potential. Using an inclusive and fair model and due diligence process, the team broadens access to funding by encouraging donors to shift away from invitation-only approaches and adopt open-call models to source solutions.
All Lever for Change open call awardees, finalists, and top-ranking applicants become members of the Bold Solutions Network—a growing global network that helps members secure additional funding and amplify their impact. Lever for Change curates and actively shares relevant solutions with funders looking for immediate, de-risked funding opportunities, as it simultaneously helps member organizations improve their case for support.