The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is accepting applications for the 100&Change Competition, a $100 million grant competition to fund a single proposal that promises real and measurable progress in solving a critical problem of the time.
By funding 100&Change at a level far above what is typical in philanthropy, they seek to address problems and support solutions that are radically different in scale, scope, and complexity.
They believe $100 million can enable real progress toward a meaningful and lasting solution to a critical problem of the time.
They work on a few big bets that strive toward transformative change in areas of profound concern, including the existential threats of climate change and nuclear risk, the challenges of criminal justice reform in the U.S. and corruption in Nigeria.
Eligibility Criteria
The third round of 100&Change remains open to organizations and collaborations working in any field, anywhere in the world.
Criteria
They will ask them to determine whether projects are impactful, evidence-based, feasible, durable, and just.
Impactful: Does the proposal describe an urgent problem worth solving, and will the solution have a transformative impact? Is the proposal sufficiently ambitious either in its progress toward a solution; the size and number of communities served; the size of the geography served; or the intensity of impact on a small but vulnerable population or geography?
Evidence-based: Does the proposal present evidence that the solution or its critical components have previously yielded practical and concrete results? Does the evidence suggest that the solution can be adapted to other contexts, such as expanding to new populations or geographies, or to reach a greater number of people over time, and still retain its effectiveness?
Feasible: Does the team have skills, capacity, relationships, and experience to deliver its proposal? Do the budget and plans represent a realistic understanding for successful implementation? Does the mitigation plan address changes in key personnel and political, market, or social environments? Is community input incorporated throughout design, implementation, and evaluation?
Durable: Will the solution have a sustained impact? Does the solution either expect to solve a problem in five years or create a pathway to solving the problem over time? Will the project elicit support from other sources—private, philanthropic, or public? Has the team advanced a clear, cogent, and compelling vision for the future?
Just: Has the team demonstrated a commitment to equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the ideation and design of the solution and in its staffing and operations? Will the solution benefit different populations equitably—particularly historically marginalized people or populations with the greatest needs, both human and nonhuman?
