Grantmaking Program Areas

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.  

We partner with effective nonprofit organizations that share our commitment to building a community in which all individuals and families have the opportunity to thrive. Our vision is a Chicago that offers education, opportunity, health, and hope for all.

The Foundation focuses on programs that improve conditions for low-income, underserved communities in Chicago, and we are especially interested in efforts that will foster learning and innovation.

We award grants in three major fields: Arts Learning, Education, and Employment. Within these funding areas, we give priority to:

• Programs with a demonstrated record of high-quality, effective services
• Efforts to improve the quality and effectiveness of programs and services (these might include program design, evaluation or staff development efforts, among others)
• The development of innovative approaches that will contribute valuable examples, information, and knowledge to others working in the field
• The Foundation also considers policy advocacy efforts that help ensure low-income communities and individuals in Chicago are treated fairly and have access to the services they need and deserve.

The Foundation is interested in investing in organizations and ideas that demonstrate exceptional potential for making a difference in one or more of the Foundation's four grantmaking program areas. These projects show promise of developing new information or program innovations useful to other organizations, institutions, and policymakers. In these cases, the Foundation will consider grants which represent larger or longer-term commitments than is otherwise typical.

In all reviews of proposals, we look for strong program designs with clear expected outcomes and specific procedures for assessing and evaluating progress. Learn more about how to apply.