Education, opportunity, health, and hope for all.
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About the foundation
The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of the people of Chicago faced with challenges rooted in the systems of inequity.
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Funding priorities
We offer grants in three program areas—Arts Learning, Education, and Employment—to organizations with the strength and commitment to address persistent problems of urban Chicago.
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Our program focus
The Foundation focuses on programs with a demonstrated record of high-quality, effective services that improve conditions for low-income, underserved communities in Chicago areas.
How to apply
If you’re eligible, submit a letter of inquiry, then allow our program officers 30 days to respond. Once you’re invited to apply, submit your application with the required documents.
Our year in review
In this year’s annual report, we spotlight the women, men, and children served by our grantees.
While the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation provides grants to a wide range of organizations, we recognize that the true beneficiaries are the individuals whom those organizations support.
Our history
Learn how Lloyd A. Fry, the founder of the nation’s largest roofing materials company, created a foundation that has grown and evolved to help address the critical needs of Chicago communities during these quickly changing times.
Recent News
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Interview with new Board Chair Graham Grady
August 27, 2025
Graham Grady has stepped into the role of Board Chair. He was first elected to the board in 2008, served as Treasurer since 2016, and has been a leader of the Foundation’s work in establishing the annual Diverse Trustee program and grantmaking in Community Violence Intervention. We sat down with Graham to get his thoughts on this new role.
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Interview with outgoing Board Chair Amina Dickerson
August 27, 2025
Amina Dickerson is a respected and much-loved civic leader in Chicago. She has served on the Fry Foundation board since 2014 and stepped into the role of Board Chair in 2023. Amina is now turning over the reins of leadership to Graham Grady. We thought this was an opportune moment to get her thoughts on leading the Fry Foundation board.
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Unmi Song to retire from the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation after 22 years as President
June 2, 2025
With deep gratitude for her two decades of leadership, the Board of Directors of the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation announces that Unmi Song is stepping down as President of the Foundation at the end of this year. Under Unmi’s leadership, the Foundation has sharpened our focus and ability to derive the most impact from our grantmaking. Her approach involved keen examination of the issues and challenges facing our grantee partners and Chicago’s most vulnerable residents.