Lloyd A. Fry Foundation

Lloyd A. Fry Foundation is a US private foundation based in Chicago, IL.

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on arts learning, education and employment, partnering with effective nonprofit organisations to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities. Its arts learning work aims to improve access to high-quality arts learning for low-income young people; its education work seeks higher academic achievement for low-income students in historically disinvested Chicago public schools; and its employment work helps families and individuals move out of poverty. Across these areas, it focuses on improving conditions for low-income, underserved communities in Chicago and is especially interested in learning and innovation. It prioritises programmes with demonstrated high-quality, effective services, innovative approaches that contribute useful knowledge to others, and policy advocacy for fair treatment and access to needed services. It favours strong programme designs with clear outcomes and assessment, and specific projects rather than general operating support.

Themes

• Arts learning
• Education
• Employment

Geographic Focus

Chicago.

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals, government entities, or 509a3 supporting organizations, although exceptions are sometimes made for publicly supported charities
• General operating expenses for new grantees
• Capital projects
• Endowments
• Fundraising events
• Political activities
• Medical research
• Religious purposes

For first-time applicants and returning grantees seeking a new project, the Foundation recommends an LOI before a full proposal, but the LOI is not required.

Deadlines:

• Arts Learning, Education and Employment proposals: June 1 for August review.
• Arts Learning and Employment proposals: September 1 for November review.
• Education and Employment proposals: December 1 for February review.
• Arts Learning and Education proposals: March 2 for May review.

• Repeat giving: In its TY2023 filing, 87% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 filing.
• Grant size: Across its TY2022 and TY2023 filings, half of its 768 grants to organisations were $5,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

• The Foundation prioritises programmes with a demonstrated record of high-quality, effective services.
• The Foundation values innovative approaches that contribute useful examples, information and knowledge to others in the field.
• It supports policy advocacy that helps low-income communities and individuals in Chicago receive fair treatment and access needed services.
• It looks for strong programme designs, clear expected outcomes and specific procedures to assess and evaluate progress.
• The Foundation gives priority to specific project applications rather than general operating support.
• If a grant is awarded, the Foundation requires a year-end report on programme activities and encourages interim reports on significant accomplishments or changes.