Houston billionaire John Arnold and his wife, Laura (a recent exclusive cover subject of Lifestyles Magazine/Meaningful Influence), are among the most prolific and innovative philanthropists today.
Most recently Governor Wes Moore and Arnold Ventures announced a new commitment of $20 million in grants under the Maryland Partnership for Proven Programs from the Arnolds.
The fresh funding backs initiatives to uplift young men and boys, expand Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliates, and help four community colleges implement the ASAP model; the state says the awards will reach 3,000+ youth and students.
This caps a partnership launched in 2024 that previously directed $20 million to Saga Education high-dosage tutoring and ASSISTments math support tools.
The new grants will fund initiatives for young men and boys, expand mentoring programs through Big Brothers Big Sisters, and enable four community colleges to adopt the Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) model, proven to improve graduation rates for low-income students.
These latest grants bring the total invested in Maryland to $40 million, targeting economic mobility, workforce training, and crime prevention.
John Arnold and his wife Laura’s Arnold Ventures’ approach is notable for its commitment to rigorous research and data-driven solutions, a philosophy rooted in their analytic legacy.
As signatories of the Giving Pledge, the Arnolds have now surpassed $5 billion in philanthropic commitments since launching their foundation in 2008, focusing on bipartisan reforms in education, criminal justice, health, and public finance.
This ongoing investment in scalable, proven programs cements Arnold’s reputation as a model for transformative social impact, blending financial discipline with a relentless focus on long-term change.
