President’s Essay
Helping to Build a More Just World

In December 1978, the MacArthur Foundation made its very first grant: $50,000 to Amnesty International USA.  Since then, nearly 7,100 individuals and organizations have received MacArthur support — $3.7 billion in total philanthropy.  Our endowment has grown from $844 million when Mr. MacArthur died to nearly $6 billion at the end of 2006.  Our annual grant budget has increased to $225 million in 2007.  With that growth have come new programs in new places, now ten major areas of work touching 65 countries around the world.

As the Foundation approaches its 30th anniversary, it is time to reflect on our core mission, values, and characteristics.  One stands out: the goal of enhancing human security and advancing individual opportunity permeates all we do.

That goal requires respect for the rule of law and systems of justice that are fair and effective.  Healthy, sustainable democracies depend on national systems of justice trusted and respected by ordinary people.  And a stable world order, free of crimes against humanity, can be strengthened by an international system of justice.  MacArthur works on both, as the following pages will describe.

Next : International Justice: Strengthening the Architecture that Protects