Laura And John Arnold Foundation
Arnold Ventures (formerly the Laura and John Arnold Foundation) is a Houston-based philanthropic organization focused on evidence-based solutions across criminal justice, health care, infrastructure, public finance, and related areas. The site publishes LJAF financial filings (Form 990s), grant and RFP information, and staff/people pages.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Organizations that produce rigorous, policy-relevant evidence (research institutes, universities, national intermediaries, or large state policy teams) and that can engage in multi-state technical assistance, randomized evaluations, or high-capacity policy translation.
Good Fit
- • Track record of rigorous research or randomized evaluations tied to policy change
- • Capacity to manage multi-state projects or national-scale convenings
- • Experience working with foundations or serving as a fiscal sponsor/intermediary
- • Clear alignment with evidence-based policy priorities (health, justice, education, public finance)
Geography
Giving is national in scope: the latest year shows grants to recipients in 44 states, and the single largest state still accounted for only about 19% of dollars.
Recipient Variety
The latest year included 787 grants to 362 distinct recipients with 163 new recipients observed that year and 199 repeat recipients across the observed years, indicating a broad and diverse recipient set rather than a tiny closed circle.
New Applicants
Direct program language and profile notes that the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and funding is by preselection; while new grantees do appear in the portfolio, an unfamiliar organization is unlikely to gain entry via a public application process.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
