Out of 3,690 registrants submitting 755 proposals, only 21% had what it took to reach the Top 100 in The MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change competition. Each proposal identified a problem somewhere in the world and did their best to offer a solution that provided durable and significant change. The competition’s $100 million grand prize grant is offered to help them realize their goal and change the world for the better.
“MacArthur seeks to generate increased recognition, exposure, and support for the high-impact ideas designated as the Top 100. Based on our experience in the first round of 100&Change, we know the competition will produce multiple compelling and fundable ideas,” said Cecilia Conrad, MacArthur Managing Director, 100&Change and CEO of Lever for Change. “We are committed to matching philanthropists with powerful solutions and problem solvers to accelerate social change.”
Making it into the Top 100 is a major accomplishment, with every proposal evaluated on four key criteria: their durability, feasibility, how evidence-based it is, and how impactful the solution is. One Top 100 competitor, Orbis International of Vision 4 Africa, received their place on the list with a scalable plan to strengthen eye care systems in Africa at every level.
Come spring of 2020, MacArthur’s Board of Directors will pick the top 10 of the Top 100. Win or lose, simply being part of the Top 100 is enough to garner attention and funding from philanthropists. An additional $419 million further supported finalists well after they left the competition, provided by interested funders invested in making a difference in the world.
