MacArthur Foundation

The MacArthur Foundation is a U.S. foundation with the goal of supporting people and institutions that are working for "a more just, verdant, and peaceful world", according to the foundation's Web site. The foundation yearly selects about 20 to 30 American citizens or residents for the MacArthur Fellows Program. The fellows each receive $500,000 over the next five years without any restrictions on the use of it. The grant is often called the "genius grant". The foundation also provides grants and loans through three other programs.¹

Fast Facts

President: Jonathan F. Fanton

Headquarters: Chicago

Assets: $7 billion as of September 2008¹

Annual grantmaking of about $300 million¹

Founded by late John Donald and late Catherine T. MacArthur¹

John Donald MacArthur was the third richest man in the U.S. when he died in 1978¹

He was born into a working-class family but made his wealth in life insurance and real estate¹

Awards about 20 to 30 Americans yearly with $500,000 over the next five years in the MacArthur Fellows Program¹

756 people have been named fellows since 1981¹

7 previous MacArthur grant recipients later won Nobel prizes²

MacArthur Fellows Program

The MacArthur Fellows Program announced its 25 fellows for 2008 on September 23. Recipients included artists, writers, physicians, musicians, a historian of medicine and more. 13 of the recipients were scientists and 8 were artists. The fellows are usually between 20 and 30, but there is no limit on the number awarded. The nomination and selection take place anonymously. The nomination process begins from invitations within the foundation, and the public cannot nominate anyone without being contacted first. The grant focuses on awarding fellows with much potential for the future.³