$100 Million Competition

Posted by John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation on August 29, 2016

MacArthur Foundation Launches $100 Million Competition

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has launched a new competition through which a $100 million grant will be awarded to a single proposal designed to help solve a critical problem affecting people, places, or the planet.

100&Change, as the competition is called, will consider any idea that identifies a single problem and its proposed solution. It is expected that most applications will be focused on domestic issues in the United States, but international proposals are welcome as well from both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Each valid proposal will be reviewed by a panel of expert judges from a variety of fields and evaluated according to a strict set of criteria designed to favor proposals that maximize measurable impact in their chosen areas.

To participate, applicants must first register on the website by September 2, 2016. They then must complete a substantive online application, detailing the problem, solution, and budget, and post a video pitch. Proposals will be accepted through October 3, 2016, with semi-finalists to be announced in December.

Each semi-finalist will receive assistance from a team of experts with respect to identifying and addressing questions about the technical and organizational capacity required to implement the proposed solution, including specific plans for monitoring, evaluating, and learning during the implementation phase. Each semi-finalist also will be asked to show significant, authentic engagement with the targeted communities.

The MacArthur Foundation will announce finalists in the summer of 2017, and they will present their solutions during a live event in the fall of 2017, after which the foundation’s board will make the final decision about recipient of the $100 million grant.

100&Change will consider applications from across the United States and around the world. Nonprofit and for-profit organizations can apply, subject to eligibility rules. The competition will not accept applications from individuals or government agencies.

The competition is open to organizations working in any field of endeavor anywhere.

See the MacArthur Foundation website for complete details and an FAQ.

DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 2, 2016 (PRE-REGISTRATION)

https://www.macfound.org/programs/100change/