MacArthur Foundation

In June, our LGBTQ+ Affinity Group invited staff to celebrate Pride at the 55th Annual Chicago Pride Parade. This year’s theme, Free to Be Proud, was a reminder that Pride began as, and continues to be, a movement for equality. Special thanks to our LGBTQ+ Affinity group, and the Chicago Pride Parade subcommittee Katie Colfer, Tom Watkins, and David Baxter. Check out some highlights below👇

“The challenges facing literature and reading are daunting,” writes Jen Benka, Executive Director of the Literary Arts Fund. “But there is some good news: namely that there are many champions of curiosity and craft advocating for the necessity of books in our lives, from writers and publishers to English teachers, librarians, and literary arts workers at nonprofits that build audiences for books, ensuring that a wide spectrum of voices and ideas have a place in print, and promoting the importance of reading.” In a new essay for TIME, “In Defense of Reading Books,” Benka explores the many benefits of reading literature and offers some practical steps that anyone can take to help stem the disquieting decline in literary reading that studies have continued to document: https://lnkd.in/dTNpKiVM

Philanthropic leaders, public sector partners, Community Violence Intervention (CVI) practitioners, and other community stakeholders recently gathered to celebrate 10 Years of CVI! CVI leaders Arne Duncan of Chicago CRED, Esther Franco-Payne of Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities, Teny Gross of Institute for Nonviolence Chicago, and Vaughn Bryant of Metropolitan Peace Initiatives spoke about learnings from the past decade in a panel moderated by Laura Washington of the Chicago Tribune. The event also featured a maker's mart, art installations, and interactive experiences that celebrate creativity, resilience, and the collective effort to build peace in Chicago. Check out a few highlights ⬇️

In 2025, Chicago experienced its lowest homicide rate in six decades and saw a nearly 50 percent decline in shootings since 2021. We can create conditions for change and peace in our communities. Our President, John Palfrey, recently joined leaders in government, healthcare, journalism, business, and the Community Violence Intervention (CVI) community at the City Club of Chicago forum to discuss how philanthropy and public-private partnerships have fostered public safety solutions that serve as a model for the nation. The conversation, which featured panelists Grace Hou, Philip Rojc, Esther Franco-Payne, Curtis Reed Jr., and Fatimah Loren Dreier, explored the impact of evidence-based, community-driven efforts on reducing gun violence in Chicago. Learn more about our support for CVI organizations ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/g_-6y-HZ

Humanity AI partner, Doris Duke Foundation announced grants supporting a dynamic group of organizations working to improve technology infrastructure in the performing arts. Each of these organizations is taking a unique, tailored approach to technological innovation, including AI, access technology, XR and remote collaboration tools — ensuring the technology is used to address the specific needs and interests of communities.    Check out the announcement below for more details on how these organizations are using tech in ways that enhance human creativity and storytelling.

"The desire for a democracy that works for everyone is not a partisan pursuit." The Bridgespan Group recently shared how funders can bolster their efforts to strengthen democracy by investing in pluralism. Read some of their insights at Nonprofit Quarterly ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gcfdJJvG

For 250 years, Americans have shown up for each other through neighbors helping neighbors, communities rallying around a cause, and foundations investing in what matters most. That tradition is alive and well across our nation. Explore the stories. #GenerosityBuilds 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gp7UgRBw

Hahrie Han, political scientist and #MacFellow, recently joined The Art of Association podcast to discuss her research on belonging, civic action, and transformational community organizing. Speaking with host Daniel Stid, Hahrie shares how she became interested in people's motivations for engaging in civic life and what she has learned in her research. Listen to the interview ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gWVgZmEM

Last month, the Chicago Cultural Alliance (CCA) bestowed the Cultural Investment Award to the MacArthur Foundation! Tara Magner, Director of our Chicago Commitment program, accepted the award on behalf of the Foundation at CCA's 2026 Mosaic Gala, which was held at Epiphany Center for the Arts on Chicago's West Side. Listen to Tara speak about how we invest in people, places, and partnerships to help advance equity in Chicago ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gn7M8KUF