The Joyce Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $65 million
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: 4-6 months
Grant Range: $50,000 - $700,000+
Geographic Focus: Great Lakes region (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin)

Contact Details

Website: www.joycefdn.org Email: info@joycefdn.org Phone: 312-782-2464 Address: 321 N. Clark Street, Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60654 Media Contact: press@joycefdn.org Grants Database: https://www.joycefdn.org/grants-database

Overview

Founded in 1948, the Joyce Foundation is a $1.2 billion private foundation based in Chicago that celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023. The foundation distributes approximately $65 million annually through more than 100 grants to organizations working primarily in the Great Lakes region. The Joyce Foundation's mission focuses on advancing racial equity and economic mobility for the next generation through evidence-based policy reforms. In 2024, the foundation welcomed Dr. Julie Morita as its new President and CEO, following a national search to replace Ellen Alberding, who led the foundation for 22 years. Under this new leadership, Joyce continues its commitment to supporting research, policy development, advocacy, and policy implementation across six program areas: Culture, Democracy, Education and Economic Mobility, Environment, Gun Violence Prevention and Justice Reform, and Journalism. The foundation operates primarily in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, with select national grants that impact the Great Lakes region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Joyce Awards

$100,000 grants supporting artists of color creating new works with organizational partners
Open application process
At least $30,000 goes directly to the artist as stipend
5 awards annually
20th anniversary in 2024 marked increase from $75,000 to $100,000 per grant
Over 20 years, awarded more than $5 million to commission 87 new works
Focus on Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis-St. Paul

General Operating Support

Multi-year general operating support grants available across all program areas
Typical range: $50,000 - $700,000
Most grants fall in the $100,000 - $500,000 range
November 2024: 116 grants totaling nearly $18 million

Priority Areas

The foundation organizes funding around six interconnected programs, with three cross-cutting themes: racial equity, economic mobility, and next generation (people born after 2000).

Culture

Arts organizations and artists of color in the Great Lakes region
Community-centered artistic projects
Cultural exchange and assembly
Regional arts infrastructure

Democracy

Voting rights and election protection
Fair redistricting and representation
Census data accuracy
Civic engagement, especially for voters of color and young voters
Nonpartisan voter education
Support for automatic and same-day voter registration, early voting

Education and Economic Mobility

Post-secondary success for students of color and low-income students
Community college completion
Access to selective public universities
Evidence-based federal and state education policies
Research on closing race and income disparities in college and career success
Primary geographic focus: Ohio, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan (with select grants in Indiana and Wisconsin)

Environment

Climate solutions: carbon-free electric power systems by 2040 in Great Lakes states
Great Lakes health and drinking water safety
Environmental justice led by impacted communities
Climate and water policy in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin

Gun Violence Prevention and Justice Reform

Gun violence prevention through reduced firearm accessibility
Violence intervention programs and research
Justice system reform
Community-based violence prevention
Over 25 years: $32 million invested, yielding 240+ peer-reviewed research publications
State/local work in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and select grants in Pennsylvania

Journalism

Independent, nonpartisan reporting on Great Lakes region issues
Support for early-career journalists of color
Fellowships and training programs
Nonprofit journalism organizations with high-quality investigative coverage

What They Don't Fund

Direct service programs
Individual scholarships or grants (except through Joyce Awards)
Organizations outside the Great Lakes region without clear regional impact
Programs not aligned with policy focus
Work attempting to influence specific legislation (as prohibited by law for private foundations)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

President and CEO: Dr. Julie Morita (October 2024 - present)

Former Executive Vice President of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Former Chicago Department of Public Health leader (nearly 20 years)
Oversees $65 million in annual charitable distributions from $1.3 billion in assets
Priority: "Deepening my understanding of and appreciation for our work and how well we are executing our mission"
Commitment: "I take seriously the responsibility of upholding the Foundation's values and am committed to working closely with the Foundation's staff, partners, and Board to further its mission and vision"

President and CEO Emerita: Ellen Alberding (2003-2024)

Led foundation for 22 years through transformative growth
Championed open-door policy: "I believe it's incredibly important to have an open door to the folks who are trying to navigate the foundation world"
Encouraged applicants to contact foundation before submitting

Board of Directors

Chair: Margot M. Rogers

Former Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at University of Virginia

Vice Chair: Tracey L. Meares

Professor at Yale Law School

Board Members (13 total):

José B. Alvarez (Clinical Professor, Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth)
Sally Blount
Carole L. Brown
Sean M. Decatur
Russ Kavalhuna
Steven Koch
Cecilia Muñoz
Chanda Smith Baker
Nicholas Turner
Julie Morita (President & CEO)

Directors Emeritus: Robert G. Bottoms, Michael F. Brewer, Charles U. Daly, Carlton L. Guthrie

The Board of Directors meets three times annually (April, July, December) to consider grant proposals.

Leadership Philosophy

The foundation emphasizes relationships and partnerships with philanthropy peers, grantees, and other stakeholders as paramount to its work. Leadership prioritizes accessibility, evidence-based decision making, and commitment to racial equity across all programs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

Submit online through Fluxx grants management system at www.joycefdn.org
Accepted year-round
Must be submitted at least 6-8 weeks before proposal deadline
LOI must precede any formal grant proposal
Foundation reviews and invites selected applicants to submit formal proposals

Step 2: Formal Proposal

By invitation only after LOI review
Submitted through online portal
Requires detailed project description, budget, timeline, and organizational information

Joyce Awards

Open application process (one of few programs with open submissions)
Applications typically open in late summer
Information sessions held in August

Foundation Encourages

Contact with program officers before submitting LOI
Alignment with one or more cross-cutting goals: racial equity, economic mobility, next generation
Planning for April or July board meetings (most funding distributed then)

Decision Timeline

Total process: 4-6 months from initial LOI submission to funding receipt
LOI review: Several weeks
Formal proposal development: If invited
Board meetings: April, July, December
Notification: After board review
Timing recommendation: Submit LOI 6-8 weeks before desired board meeting

The foundation acknowledges receipt of applications and contacts applicants if their inquiry aligns with program priorities.

Success Rates

The Joyce Foundation does not publicly disclose success rates for grant applications. However, the foundation's approach of requiring LOI submission followed by invitation-only formal proposals suggests a selective process. In November 2024, the foundation awarded 116 grants, indicating substantial grantmaking activity.

Reapplication Policy

The Joyce Foundation does not publish specific reapplication restrictions for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations that are not invited to submit a formal proposal after LOI review may reapply in future grant cycles. The foundation encourages ongoing dialogue with program officers to strengthen alignment with priorities.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Advice to Applicants

Alignment with Cross-Cutting Goals The foundation "strongly encourages and prefers funding requests that articulate the advancement of one or more of their goals":

Racial Equity: Incorporate voices of and achieve equitable outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities in Great Lakes region
Economic Mobility: Improve ability of individuals to move up the economic ladder
Next Generation: Incorporate voices of and improve outcomes for young people born after 2000

Policy Focus "The Foundation seeks through its grantmaking to improve public policy in, and for the benefit of residents in, the Great Lakes region. Investments are focused along the Joyce grantmaking continuum, strongly emphasizing research, policy development, advocacy and policy implementation."

Contact Program Officers Former President Ellen Alberding emphasized: "I believe it's incredibly important to have an open door to the folks who are trying to navigate the foundation world" and encouraged applicants "not to hesitate to contact the funder before submitting."

Plan Strategically "Applicants are strongly encouraged to plan for the April or July meetings, since most grant funds are distributed at those times."

Examples of Funded Projects

November 2024 Major Grants:

William J. Brennan Jr. Center for Justice: $500,000 for voting rights and civic engagement (Democracy)
Fair Elections Center: $500,000 for election administration (Democracy)
Environmental Defense Fund: $500,000 (Environment)
Chicago Public Media: $600,000 (Journalism)
Project Unloaded: $700,000 for community violence intervention (Gun Violence Prevention)
University of Illinois Discovery Partners Institute: $473,000 for workforce development (Education)
President and Fellows of Harvard College Center for Education Policy Research: $350,000 for educational research (Education)
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance: $400,000 (Environment)

2024 Joyce Awards Winners ($100,000 each):

Andrea Assaf (artist) with organizational partner
Marcus Elliot (artist) with organizational partner
Terry Guest (artist) with organizational partner
Katie Ka Vang (artist) with organizational partner
Edra Soto (artist) with organizational partner

These examples demonstrate Joyce's preference for:

Policy-focused research and advocacy organizations
Evidence-based approaches
Regional and national organizations with Great Lakes impact
Established institutions and emerging organizations
Work explicitly addressing racial equity

Key Success Factors

Evidence-Based Approaches Foundation prioritizes organizations using research, data, and proven strategies to inform policy change.

Regional Focus with Depth While national organizations receive funding, work must clearly benefit Great Lakes states. Foundation values deep understanding of regional context and relationships.

Equity Leadership Organizations led by or centering communities of color, particularly those addressing racial equity explicitly in their work, align strongly with foundation priorities.

Policy Change Orientation Foundation does not fund direct services. Successful applicants focus on research, policy development, advocacy, and implementation that creates systemic change.

Multi-Year Partnerships Many grants are multi-year general operating support, indicating foundation's commitment to building long-term relationships with effective partners.

Intersectional Approach Projects addressing multiple priorities (e.g., environmental justice + racial equity, or education + economic mobility) demonstrate strategic alignment.

Common Barriers to Success

Lack of clear connection to Great Lakes region
Direct service focus without policy component
Insufficient emphasis on racial equity and economic mobility
Proposals not addressing "next generation" (people born after 2000)
Organizations without evidence-based approaches
Failure to contact program officers before applying
Misalignment with specific program guidelines

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Build relationships before applying: The foundation explicitly encourages contact with program officers before submission. Use this open-door policy to ensure alignment and strengthen your proposal. Program officers work collaboratively with potential grantees.
Emphasize the three cross-cutting themes: Successfully articulate how your work advances racial equity, economic mobility, and/or benefits the next generation (people born after 2000). The foundation "strongly encourages and prefers" proposals that address one or more of these goals.
Focus on policy, not services: Joyce's grantmaking continuum "strongly emphasizes research, policy development, advocacy and policy implementation." Frame your work in terms of systemic change, evidence-based approaches, and policy impact rather than direct service delivery.
Demonstrate Great Lakes regional expertise: Even if you're a national organization, show deep understanding of and commitment to Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Regional context and relationships matter significantly.
Plan strategically for board meetings: Submit your LOI at least 6-8 weeks before the April or July board meetings, when most funding is distributed. Account for the full 4-6 month timeline in your planning.
Lead with equity and evidence: Showcase leadership by or centering of BIPOC communities, and demonstrate use of research, data, and proven strategies. The foundation values both lived experience and evidence-based approaches.
Consider the Joyce Awards for arts funding: If you're an arts organization partnering with an artist of color, the Joyce Awards offer one of the few open application opportunities with the foundation, providing substantial funding ($100,000) for community-centered artistic projects in major Great Lakes cities.

References

The Joyce Foundation Official Website: https://www.joycefdn.org/ (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - About: https://www.joycefdn.org/about (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - How to Apply: https://www.joycefdn.org/apply/ (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - General Guidelines: https://www.joycefdn.org/grants/general-guidelines (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - Grants Database: https://www.joycefdn.org/grants-database (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - Latest Grants: November 2024: https://www.joycefdn.org/grants-database/latest-grants-november-2024 (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - Board of Directors: https://www.joycefdn.org/about/board-of-directors (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - Joyce Appoints Julie Morita as President & CEO: https://www.joycefdn.org/news/joyce-appoints-julie-morita-as-ceo (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - A Message from Julie Morita: https://www.joycefdn.org/news/a-message-joyce-foundation-president-ceo-julie-morita (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - Behind Our New Strategy: https://www.joycefdn.org/news/new-grant-making-strategy (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - Democracy Program: https://www.joycefdn.org/programs/democracy (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - Democracy Guidelines: https://www.joycefdn.org/grants/democracy-guidelines (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - Education & Economic Mobility: https://www.joycefdn.org/programs/education-economic-mobility (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - Education & Economic Mobility Guidelines: https://www.joycefdn.org/grants/education-economic-mobility-guidelines (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - Environment Program: https://www.joycefdn.org/programs/environment (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - Environment Guidelines: https://www.joycefdn.org/grants/environment-guidelines (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - Gun Violence Prevention & Justice Reform: https://www.joycefdn.org/programs/gun-violence-prevention-justice-reform (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - Gun Violence Prevention & Justice Reform Guidelines: https://www.joycefdn.org/grants/gun-violence-prevention-justice-reform-guidelines (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - Journalism Program: https://www.joycefdn.org/programs/journalism (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - Journalism Guidelines: https://www.joycefdn.org/grants/journalism-guidelines (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - The Joyce Awards: https://www.joycefdn.org/joyce-awards (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - 2024 Joyce Awards Announcement: https://www.joycefdn.org/news/2024-joyce-awards-announcement (Accessed November 2024)
PR Newswire - Joyce Foundation Announces Winners of 2024 Joyce Awards: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/joyce-foundation-announces-winners-of-2024-joyce-awards-marking-20th-anniversary-of-awards-with-largest-total-grant-amount-to-date-302208856.html (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - 25 Years of Impactful Grant Making Gun Violence Prevention (PDF): https://assets.joycefdn.org/content/uploads/Joyce_Report_v5.pdf (Accessed November 2024)
The Joyce Foundation - Ellen Alberding Stepping Down: https://www.joycefdn.org/news/joyce-foundation-president-and-ceo-ellen-alberding-stepping-down (Accessed November 2024)
Grantmakers In Health - The Joyce Foundation: https://www.gih.org/grantmaker-focus/the-joyce-foundation/ (Accessed November 2024)
Inside Philanthropy - Joyce Foundation: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-j/joyce-foundation (Accessed November 2024)
Funds for NGOs - Joyce Foundation's Grant Program: https://www2.fundsforngos.org/latest-funds-for-ngos/joyce-foundations-grant-program-in-the-us/ (Accessed November 2024)
Wikipedia - Joyce Foundation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyce_Foundation (Accessed November 2024)
Candid Foundation Directory - The Joyce Foundation: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=JOYC002 (Accessed November 2024)