100&Change
On May 22, 2024, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced the launch of a new round of its 100&Change competition for a single $100 million grant to help solve one of the world's most critical social challenges.
About the Competition
Some problems cannot be solved by grants of the size that foundations typically provide. By funding at a level far above what is typical in philanthropy, 100&Change addresses problems and supports solutions that are radically different in scale, scope, and complexity.
In the inaugural round of 100&Change, Sesame Workshop and International Rescue Committee were awarded $100 million to educate young children displaced by conflict and persecution in the Syrian response region. Together, they created a program called Ahlan Simsim, the largest early childhood intervention in the history of humanitarian response. This transformational program combines on-the-ground services for families in crisis with engaging educational media. So far, nine seasons of the television show Ahlan Simsim have reached over 27 million children across the Middle East and North Africa.
In 2021, in the second round of 100&Change, MacArthur awarded a $100 million grant to Community Solutions to accelerate an end to homelessness in 75 U.S. communities in five years. Through “Built for Zero,” Community Solutions supports 105 communities working to make homelessness rare and brief. So far, sixty-four Built for Zero communities have achieved quality data enabling communities to understand who is experiencing homelessness and what strategies and investments result in reductions in homelessness. Furthermore, improved coordination, repurposed existing properties, and social impact finance can increase access to affordable housing. By 2026, the aim is to have helped cities and counties of all types solve homelessness, forging a new reality where ending homelessness is expected, not exceptional.
In 2024, the third round of 100&Change will remain global and athematic. For this round of the competition, the MacArthur Foundation revisited the application criteria, adding “just” as a criterion to align with the foundation’s “Just Imperative,” incorporating a sharper focus on how projects advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. No topic is exempt or excluded from these commitments.
Learn More & Apply
About the Process
100&Change remains open to organizations and collaborations working in any field, anywhere in the world. Proposals must identify a problem and offer a solution that promises significant and durable change; applications will be accepted online only, from May 22 to August 15, 2024.
The openness and transparency of the 100&Change application process are distinctive. Once the application period closes, Lever for Change Staff will work to review each 100&Change submission to ensure it meets the requirements and rules before advancing to the next stage. During the Participatory Review process, applicants will score and provide feedback on each other’s proposals using our established criteria outlined in the Scoring Rubric. Our Wise Head Panel will then review and score submissions using the same criteria and trait Scoring Rubric.
100&Change seeks proposals that articulate both a problem and its solution. Competitive proposals will address a significant problem and provide a solution that is impactful, evidence-based, feasible, durable, and a new criterion—just, aligning with MacArthur’s Just Imperative, which is grounded in the value of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Next Steps
Interested organizations should visit 100andchange.org for more information and complete the Organizational Readiness Tool assessment to determine eligibility. Applicants must register to apply before 5 p.m. U.S. Central Time on Thursday, August 15, 2024. Complete applications are due before 5 p.m. U.S. Central Time on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
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Learn more about our Scoring Rubric and process.
