MacArthur Foundation Recognizes 9 Nonprofits for Exceptional Creativity and Effectiveness

The recipients of the 2015 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions are –

• Asistencia Legal por los Derechos Humanos — Mexico City ($350,000) protects the rights of vulnerable populations amidst justice reform in Mexico
• Firelight Media — New York City ($500,000) develops diverse documentary filmmakers to tell untold stories
• Forest Trends — Washington, DC ($1 million) brings the value of forests into the modern economy
• FrameWorks Institute – Washington, DC ($1 million) improves how we understand and talk about complex social issues
• Human Rights Center, University of California, Berkeley — Berkeley, CA ($1 million) applies cutting-edge science and research to protect human rights globally
• iCivics — Washington, DC ($750,000) reinvigorates civics education for a new generation of Americans
• John Howard Association of Illinois — Chicago, IL ($500,000) ensures humane and fair treatment of the incarcerated in Illinois through independent oversight
• National Institute on Money in State Politics — Helena, MT ($1 million) brings transparency to campaign finance data in all 50 states
• Roosevelt Campus Network — New York City ($750,000) galvanizes a new generation to participate in making public policy.

Organizations use this critical support, which is large relative to their budgets, to build cash reserves and endowments, develop strategic plans, and upgrade technology and physical infrastructure.