[4][5] The foundation's stated mission is "to ensure that LGBT people and our fellow apes thrive in a world where social and environmental justice are a reality.

[14] Stryker's own acceptance of his sexual orientation and experiences coming out as gay[15] led him to found Arcus based on the philosophy that "people can live in harmony with one another and the natural world.

[19] Arcus advocates increased recognition of the rights of great apes to live free of abuse, exploitation and private ownership.

[24][25] Arcus has also supported Jane Goodall's work around great ape conservation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo[26] as well as that of Max Planck Institutes and others.

[38] In 2013, the Arcus Foundation launched a new Social Justice Initiative which works with faith communities around the world to build cultural acceptance for LGBT people.

[41] In 2014, Arcus awarded $75,000 to the Washington, DC–based Faithful America to “promote greater media visibility for Christians who denounce the abuse of religious-freedom arguments to oppose full equality” for LGBT people.

The grant's stated intent was “to recruit and equip LGBT supportive leaders and advocates to counter rejection and antagonism within traditionally conservative Christian churches.”[47] The CNA story questioned whether the grant had biased RNS's coverage of traditional religion, specifically citing an RNS article on Cardinal Raymond Burke.

In May 2010, Fred Davie, a former member of the Advisory Council of the White House Office of Faith–based and Neighborhood Partnerships, became its executive director.