Arcus Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $30.8 million (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 2-6 months
• Grant Range: Majority between $100,000-$150,000 per year
• Geographic Focus: United States and international

Contact Details

• Address: 445 5th Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10016-0163
• Website: www.arcusfoundation.org
• Phone: +1 212-488-3000
• Email: Not publicly listed

Overview

The Arcus Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2000 with a dual mission focusing on social justice and conservation. With total assets of approximately $275 million and annual charitable disbursements of $30.8 million (2023), the foundation works to achieve social justice that is inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity, and race, while also ensuring conservation and respect of great apes and gibbons. Based in New York City with an additional office in Cambridge, United Kingdom, the foundation operates as a significant funder in both LGBTQ rights and wildlife conservation sectors.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates two main programmes:

• Social Justice: Supporting LGBTQ rights and racial justice organisations
• Great Apes & Gibbons Conservation: Protecting endangered apes and their habitats

The foundation also makes programme-related investments in wildlife conservation.

Priority Areas

• LGBTQ rights and social justice
• Sexual orientation and gender identity inclusion
• Racial justice and equity
• Great ape and gibbon conservation
• Wildlife habitat protection

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not publicly available

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel:

• Jon L. Stryker - Board President and Founder
• Annette Lanjouw - Chief Executive Officer

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Social Justice Programme: Arcus' Social Justice Programme primarily operates through an invitation-only application process. Unsolicited requests for funding are not currently considered. Occasionally, on an as-needed basis, the programme issues public calls for applications (Requests for Concepts) through their website, social media, and email distribution lists. Organisations interested in potential future opportunities should sign up for updates through the foundation's website.

Great Apes & Gibbons Programme: The Great Apes & Gibbons Programme accepts unsolicited applications. The first step is to submit an Initial Funding Concept (IFC) through the foundation's online system.

Decision Timeline

The grantmaking process typically takes between 2 and 6 months from application to decision.

Grant Size

Grant amounts range from small, one-time contributions to larger, multi-year investments, with the majority falling between $100,000 and $150,000 per year.

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available

Application Success Factors

The foundation focuses on organisations working at the intersection of its two primary focus areas: LGBTQ social justice and great ape conservation. Given the invitation-only nature of the Social Justice programme, organisations may benefit from:

• Building relationships with foundation staff and grantees
• Demonstrating alignment with the foundation's mission of social justice inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity, and race
• For conservation applicants, showing expertise in great ape and gibbon conservation
• Monitoring the foundation's website and social media for public calls for applications

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation has substantial assets ($275 million) and makes significant annual grants ($30.8 million in 2023)
• Dual focus on LGBTQ/social justice and conservation makes it unique among major foundations
• Social Justice programme operates primarily by invitation, with occasional open calls
• Great Apes & Gibbons programme accepts unsolicited Initial Funding Concepts
• Organisations working at the intersection of the foundation's two focus areas may be particularly well-positioned
• Typical grants range from $100,000-$150,000 per year, with both one-time and multi-year awards available
• Decision process takes 2-6 months

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Arcus Foundation profile and 990-PF filings
• Arcus Foundation website (www.arcusfoundation.org)
• InfluenceWatch organisational profile
• Wikipedia - Arcus Foundation
• Philanthropy New York - Arcus Foundation profile