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.
Data drives real change
In this year’s annual report, we highlight how data helps drive real change for the individuals and communities served by our grantees.
While the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation provides grants to organizations working in arts learning, education, and employment, the ultimate impact is measured in the lives improved across Chicago.
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 President Sherly Chavarria
February 27, 2026
In January, Sherly Chavarria stepped into her new role as President of the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, bringing with her many years of experience addressing systemic barriers in education, public service, and philanthropy. In this conversation, Sherly reflects on the lessons that have shaped her approach to leadership, from the power of deep listening to the process of turning vision into disciplined action, and shares how those principles will guide her work in philanthropy. She also discusses the Foundation’s role in a complex and uncertain moment, what steady leadership looks like right now, and how she’s thinking about partnership, consistency, and being responsive.
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Spotlight: Arts Learning Program
February 27, 2026
For more than 25 years, the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation has invested in expanding access to high-quality arts learning for students in Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Today, that work is unfolding in a rapidly shifting landscape. From federal funding cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to mounting budget pressures at CPS, arts organizations are navigating financial uncertainty, political headwinds, and heightened scrutiny around equity-focused work.
In this article, we reflect on what we’re hearing from our grantee partners, how these disruptions are affecting arts learning across Chicago, and how the Foundation is considering greater flexibility and responsiveness to help protect students’ access to rigorous, engaging arts instruction. -
Lloyd A. Fry Foundation Welcomes Dr. Fatima Cooke as Education Program Officer
February 13, 2026
The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation is pleased to welcome Dr. Fatima Cooke as our new Education Program Officer, beginning March 16, 2026. Most recently serving as Chief Equity Officer for Chicago Public Schools, Dr. Cooke brings more than twenty years of experience in Chicago’s public education system, spanning classroom teaching, school leadership, and districtwide strategy. Click here to learn more about Dr. Cooke.