Arcus Foundation
Arcus Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, New York. It funds work through its LGBTQ Social Justice and Great Apes & Gibbons programs, supporting organizations and initiatives focused on LGBTQ people’s safety, inclusion, rights, and movements, as well as ape conservation, habitats, and care in captivity.
Arcus Foundation at a glance
In short: Arcus Foundation gave $31.3M across 365 grants in 2024 (avg $86K), top state California. 24% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $31,280,594
- +10.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 365
- +13.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $85,700
- -2.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $75,000
- Total assets
- $301,972,955
- +9.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (64 of 272, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (11% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Arcus Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Review the relevant program goals and strategies and apply through the foundation’s grantmaking process. The filing refers to “Statement 24” for application materials and restrictions. The foundation’s website says the process typically takes two to six months from application to decision.
- Contact
Application contact: Arcus Foundation
Mailing address: 445 5Th Avenue 7Th Floor, New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 488-3000
Website: https://arcusfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Arcus Foundation
Who Arcus Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Borealis Philanthropy ($1.8M across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $7.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,679 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 720 grants of 1,679 (43%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Social Justice Program gives priority to LGBTQ communities pushed to the margins in specific countries in the Americas and Africa. In the United States, it prioritizes state and local work in the South; internationally, it prioritizes work rooted in specific regions of the Global South.
The Great Apes & Gibbons Program’s 2016–2026 strategy focuses on priority ape-range landscapes across 18 countries in Africa and Asia, as well as the United States and Kenya, where apes are held in captivity outside their natural range. The foundation says it prioritizes 24 landscapes for conservation grants.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 365 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Arcus Foundation open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 64 of 272 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $56K; repeat grants $133K. How we count
Medians: $60K first-time, $100K repeat.
- 67% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+18%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 301% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $26.5M (2021) to $31.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 365 grants totaling $31.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Save the Chimps Inc Fort Pierce, FL | General Operating Support | $1,167,876 |
| Borealis Philanthropy Minneapolis, MN | Support for the fund for trans generations to build a free and safe future for transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary people. | $750,000 |
| Forest Peoples Programme | Support for Rights-Based Conservation Policy and Practice. | $583,374 |
| Borealis Philanthropy Minneapolis, MN | Support for the emerging lgbtq leaders of color fund to resource the leadership of young people for policy and culture change. | $525,000 |
| International Trans Fund | Support for grantmaking and capacity strengthening for increased lgbtq safety, protection, and social inclusion. | $500,000 |
| Paneco Foundation | Support for the leuser ecosystem alliance to protect its orangutans and gibbons. | $481,312 |
| Borealis Philanthropy Minneapolis, MN | Support for the emerging lgbtq leaders of color fund to resource the leadership of young people for policy and culture change. | $475,000 |
| Proteus Fund Inc Waltham, MA | Support for the Rights, Faith, and Democracy Collaborative. | $400,000 |
| Rewild Austin, TX | Support for iucns section on great apes (SGA), the arrc task force, and state of the apes. | $375,000 |
| Greenpeace Fund Inc Washington, DC | Support to protect ape habitats by reducing industrial-scale exploitation of forests. | $352,817 |
Ready to take the next step with Arcus Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $301,972,955 | $44,043,315 | $45,927,644 | $31,280,594 | 365 | $43,208,157 | $7,676,714 | $14,340,366 |
| 2023 | $275,369,766 | $38,129,838 | $42,057,622 | $28,394,422 | 322 | $38,774,037 | $4,162,127 | $12,803,655 |
| 2022 | $253,039,467 | $33,538,597 | $39,390,401 | $27,975,683 | 330 | $38,035,505 | $8,662,638 | $13,064,028 |
| 2021 | $292,231,026 | $43,928,550 | $39,463,344 | $26,510,929 | 311 | $36,254,017 | $15,282,485 | $13,367,283 |
| 2020 | $264,733,626 | $35,703,685 | $37,425,532 | $26,536,751 | 351 | — | $6,068,491 | $11,114,975 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Arcus Foundation reported a distributable amount of $14.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Arcus works toward dignity, safety, and opportunity for LGBTQ people in inclusive communities and societies. Its Social Justice Program identifies four broad goals: increased safety, increased social inclusion, increased protections, and strong movements. The program values self-determination and centering LGBTQ people most affected by structural exclusion. Its Great Apes & Gibbons Program supports conservation and respect for bonobos, chimpanzees, gibbons, gorillas, and orangutans, including resilient wild populations and appropriate care for apes in accredited sanctuaries.
The grants listed for 2024 show support for a range of work in these areas. For example, Save the Chimps received a grant for general operating support; its stated mission is to provide sanctuary and exemplary care to chimpanzees in need. Borealis Philanthropy received grants supporting funds for transgender people and emerging LGBTQ leaders of color; Borealis says it directs resources to communities and movements, with people most impacted by injustice leading the way. Other 2024 grants supported rights-based conservation policy, LGBTQ safety and inclusion, ape habitats, and conservation initiatives.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Arcus reported 365 grants totaling $31,280,594. Individual grants ranged from $50 to $1,167,876, with a median of $75,000. The foundation says grant amounts range from small one-time contributions to larger multi-year investments, with most between $100,000 and $150,000 per year. Its website says the grantmaking process typically takes two to six months from application to decision.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $1,167,876 to Save the Chimps for general operating support; $750,000, $525,000, and $475,000 to Borealis Philanthropy for LGBTQ-related funds; $583,374 to Forest Peoples Programme for rights-based conservation policy and practice; $500,000 to International Trans Fund for grantmaking and capacity strengthening; and $481,312 to PanEco Foundation for the Leuser Ecosystem Alliance. Other large grants included $400,000 to Proteus Fund for the Rights, Faith, and Democracy Collaborative and $375,000 to Re:wild for ape-conservation initiatives.
Applicants must be registered organizational entities with legal standing. Arcus says it does not make grants to individuals, lobbying purposes, election campaigns, or medical research. Its 2024 filing lists the application contact as Arcus Foundation and refers to “Statement 24” for forms and materials, deadlines, and award restrictions.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jon L. Stryker as board president and Stephen Bennett, Evelynn Hammonds, Janet Mock-Curiel, Catherine Pino, Slobodan Randjelovic, Claire Stryker, and Adam Sweidan as board members. It lists Annette Lanjouw as chief executive officer and Thomas W. Nichols as chief operating officer.
Arcus Foundation is led by Annette Lanjouw, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2020; 6 of 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Annette Lanjouw
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$360K (2020) → $449K (2024)
Jon L. Stryker
Board President
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Pino
Board Member
On filings since 2020
7 hrs/week
$20K (2020) → $20K (2024)
Evelynn Hammonds
Board Member
On filings since 2020
7 hrs/week
$20K (2020) → $20K (2024)
Slobodan Randjelovic
Board Member
On filings since 2020
7 hrs/week
$10K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Stephen Bennett
Board Member
On filings since 2020
7 hrs/week
$20K (2020) → $20K (2024)
Thomas W. Nichols
Chief Operating Officer
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$347K (2020) → $422K (2024)
Claire Stryker
Board Member
On filings since 2023
7 hrs/week
$15K (2023) → $0 (2024)
Janet Mock-Curiel
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
7 hrs/week
$20K (2024)
Adam Sweidan
Board Member
On filings since 2022
7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Janet Mock (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jeff Trandahl (2020–2021) — Board Member · Filing note: Ended 22421
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $449K, to Annette Lanjouw (Chief Executive Officer). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Arcus Foundation
How much does Arcus Foundation give each year?
Arcus Foundation gave $31.3M across 365 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $28.4M across 322 grants.
What is Arcus Foundation's typical grant size?
Arcus Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $75,000, and its average grant was $85,700, across 365 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Arcus Foundation that year got $56K on average.
Where does Arcus Foundation give grants?
Arcus Foundation's top state is California, with 11% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (8%) and Florida (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (27 grants), New York, NY (23 grants), Oakland, CA (12 grants) and Durham, NC (11 grants).
Does Arcus Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 33% of Arcus Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (122 of 365) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Support for Capacity Strengthening and Technical Assistance." (15 grants), "2024 Membership Support" (9 grants) and "Support for the Transforming Hearts Collective." (4 grants).
Who are Arcus Foundation's largest grantees?
Arcus Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Borealis Philanthropy ($1,750,000 across 3 grants), Save the Chimps Inc ($1,167,876) and Rewild ($980,000 across 5 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 12% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Arcus Foundation?
Arcus Foundation reported $302.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $43.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $14.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Arcus Foundation fund?
Arcus works toward dignity, safety, and opportunity for LGBTQ people in inclusive communities and societies. Its Social Justice Program identifies four broad goals: increased safety, increased social inclusion, increased protections, and strong movements. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Arcus Foundation?
Review the relevant program goals and strategies and apply through the foundation’s grantmaking process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Arcus Foundation's EIN?
Arcus Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3332791. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 28, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 6, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Arcus Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Arcus Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/arcus-foundation-morg_e980564ec8784bdd95fb0c1131b01e8b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_383332791_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Arcus Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/arcus-foundation-morg_e980564ec8784bdd95fb0c1131b01e8b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Arcus Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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