The Joyce Foundation
The Joyce Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, that invests in public policies and strategies to advance racial equity and economic mobility in the Great Lakes region. Founded in 1948, it focuses its grantmaking primarily in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, while also exploring evidence-informed policy solutions nationally and at the federal level.
The Joyce Foundation at a glance
In short: The Joyce Foundation gave $52.2M across 470 grants in 2024 (avg $111K), top state Illinois. 26% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $52,234,765
- -6.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 470
- -7.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $111,138
- +0.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $80,000
- Total assets
- $1,297,079,019
- +4.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (112 of 430, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (34% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Joyce Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit a letter of inquiry online. First-time applicants must register their organization; review of the registration request may take up to five business days. A formal proposal may be submitted only if invited after the letter-of-inquiry review.
- Review Cycle
- Proposal deadlines are April 1, 2026, for decisions in July 2026; August 3, 2026, for decisions in November 2026; and December 1, 2026, for decisions in April 2027. The Foundation encourages applicants to plan for the April or July board meetings, when most grant funds are distributed.
- Deadline
- Proposal deadlines are April 1, 2026, for decisions in July 2026; August 3, 2026, for decisions in November 2026; and…
- Contact
Application contact: Program Officer
Mailing address: 321 N Clark Street Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60654-4714
Phone: (312) 782-2464
Website: https://joycefdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
7 open opportunities from The Joyce Foundation
Culture Program: The Joyce Awards
The Joyce Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Gun Violence Prevention & Justice Reform Grant
The Joyce Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Joyce Foundation: Culture Program Grants
The Joyce Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Joyce Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Chicago Public Media - Chicago Sun-Times ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $6.5M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($200,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
2,161 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 795 grants of 2,161 (37%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation focuses primarily on Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, while also exploring policy solutions nationally and at the federal level. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Illinois (34%), the District of Columbia (17%), New York (9%), Minnesota (8%), and Michigan (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 470 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Joyce Foundation open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 112 of 430 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $78K; repeat grants $137K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $100K repeat.
- 64% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+6%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 105% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $45.0M (2020) to $56.3M (2022). In 2024 it made 470 grants totaling $52.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Public Media - Chicago Sun-Times Chicago, IL | Mission Fund | $1,000,000 |
| Education First Consulting LLC Seattle, WA | Education & Economic Mobility | $935,000 |
| IFF Chicago, IL | Mission Fund | $625,000 |
| Minnesota Department of Commerce - Energy & Utilities St. Paul, MN | Mission Fund | $600,000 |
| The Aspen Institute Inc Washington, DC | Education & Economic Mobility | $600,000 |
| National Parks Conservation Association Washington, DC | Environment | $576,000 |
| Civic News Company New York, NY | Journalism | $525,000 |
| Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc - Families and Workers Fund Washington, DC | Mission Fund | $500,000 |
| Crain's Chicago Business Chicago, IL | Journalism | $500,000 |
| Elevate Energy Chicago, IL | Environment | $500,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,297,079,019 | $85,756,522 | $67,316,551 | $52,234,765 | 470 | $63,524,807 | $123,845,974 | $60,771,794 |
| 2023 | $1,243,336,859 | $63,765,035 | $77,162,152 | $55,953,961 | 508 | $66,266,028 | $68,065,630 | $57,610,154 |
| 2022 | $1,167,846,391 | $114,870,620 | $66,076,186 | $56,267,588 | 457 | $65,551,371 | $36,946,624 | $59,597,345 |
| 2021 | $1,408,794,882 | $150,496,278 | $80,761,732 | $49,088,176 | 376 | $56,969,938 | $155,558,946 | $65,978,580 |
| 2020 | $1,250,776,117 | $69,582,837 | $53,116,081 | $44,976,732 | 350 | — | $66,750,540 | $55,503,206 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Joyce Foundation reported a distributable amount of $60.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to advance racial equity and economic mobility for the next generation in the Great Lakes region. Its six program areas are Culture, Democracy, Education & Economic Mobility, Environment, Gun Violence Prevention & Justice Reform, and Journalism. The Foundation describes its policy work as spanning research and analysis, policy development, public engagement, advocacy, coalition-building, implementation, and evaluation.
Grantees’ missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. IFF says it strengthens nonprofits and the communities they serve through leadership, capital, and real estate solutions. Elevate Energy says it expands access to energy and water solutions, while the National Parks Conservation Association describes its mission as protecting America’s national parks. Civic News Company says it provides deep local coverage of issues including education, election administration, and public health.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 470 grants totaling $52,234,765. Grants ranged from $685 to $1,000,000, with a median of $80,000. In 2022, it reported 457 grants totaling $56,267,588. Its 2024 filing, the latest on this page, reports 470 grants totaling $52.2 million.
Notable 2024 grants included $1,000,000 to Chicago Public Media–Chicago Sun-Times for mission support; $935,000 to Education First Consulting for Education & Economic Mobility; $625,000 to IFF for mission support; $600,000 each to the Minnesota Department of Commerce–Energy & Utilities for mission support and The Aspen Institute for Education & Economic Mobility; $576,000 to the National Parks Conservation Association for Environment; and $525,000 to Civic News Company for Journalism.
The Foundation accepts online grant inquiries throughout the year, but formal proposals are accepted by invitation after review of a letter of inquiry. It says applicants should allow approximately four to six months from initial inquiry to funding. Required formal-proposal materials include a project budget and narrative, project personnel qualifications, board information, organizational financial information, audited financial statements, the most recently completed Form 990 and attachments, and verification of qualifying public-charity status. The Foundation does not fund lobbying activities; it may support certain non-lobbying public-policy advocacy, such as nonpartisan research and technical assistance.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Foundation’s listed leadership includes Julie Morita, President & CEO and Board Member; Ed Miller, Vice President of Programs; Kayce Ataiyero, Chief External Affairs Officer; Kathleen Clarke, Chief Operating Officer; and Nickol R. Hackett, Chief Investment Officer & Treasurer.
The Joyce Foundation is led by Ellen Alberding, President & Director since 2023 (on filings since 2020); all 17 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ellen Alberding
President & Director
President & Director → President, CEO & Director, 2022
President, CEO & Director → President & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$752K (2020) → $695K (2024)
Julia Morita
President & Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$225K (2024)
Chanda Smith Baker
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $22K (2024)
Jose B Alvarez
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $22K (2024)
Margot M Rogers
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $22K (2024)
Michael F Brewer
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $22K (2024)
Sally E Blount
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $22K (2024)
Tracy L Meares
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $22K (2024)
Cecilia Munoz
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$19K (2021) → $22K (2024)
Cristian Samper
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
$20K (2022) → $8K (2024)
Nicholas Turner
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
$13K (2022) → $22K (2024)
Steven Koch
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
$13K (2022) → $22K (2024)
Russ Kavalhuna
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$13K (2023) → $22K (2024)
Sean Decatur
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$13K (2023) → $22K (2024)
Nickol Hackett
Chief Investment Officer & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$320K (2020) → $506K (2024)
Kathleen Clarke
Chief Operating Officer
Secretary & Chief Operating Officer → Chief Operating Officer, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$197K (2022) → $307K (2024)
Edmund Miller
V.p. of Strategy & Programs
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$219K (2023) → $288K (2024)
Former officers (10)
- Former: Robert G Bottoms (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Whitney Smith (2022–2023) — Executive V.p. & Chief Strategy Officer
- Former: Carlton L Guthrie (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Darren R Reisberg (2020–2022) — Vice President, Strategy & Programs
- Former: Deborah Gillespie (2021–2022) — Vice President, Finance & Administrator
- Former: Carter M Stewart (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Catherine B Kearney (2020–2021) — Vice President, Finance, Administrator & Secretary
- Former: Cristain Samper (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Paula Wolff (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Roger R Fross (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $695K, to Ellen Alberding (President/Director (Thru 9/30/24)). 17 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Joyce Foundation
How much does The Joyce Foundation give each year?
The Joyce Foundation gave $52.2M across 470 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $56.0M across 508 grants.
What is The Joyce Foundation's typical grant size?
The Joyce Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $80,000, and its average grant was $111,138, across 470 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Joyce Foundation that year got $78K on average.
Where does The Joyce Foundation give grants?
The Joyce Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 34% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (17%) and New York (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (163 grants), Washington, DC (66 grants), New York, NY (30 grants) and Minneapolis, MN (14 grants).
Does The Joyce Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 470 grants with a stated purpose on The Joyce Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education & Economic Mobility" (95 grants), "Mission Fund" (70 grants) and "Gun Violence Prevention & Justice Reform" (67 grants).
Who are The Joyce Foundation's largest grantees?
The Joyce Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Chicago Public Media - Chicago Sun-Times ($1,000,000), Education First Consulting LLC ($935,000) and The Aspen Institute Inc ($685,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($200,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 5% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Joyce Foundation?
The Joyce Foundation reported $1.3B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $63.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $60.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Joyce Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to advance racial equity and economic mobility for the next generation in the Great Lakes region. Its six program areas are Culture, Democracy, Education & Economic Mobility, Environment, Gun Violence Prevention & Justice Reform, and Journalism. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Joyce Foundation?
Submit a letter of inquiry online. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Joyce Foundation's EIN?
The Joyce Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6079185. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 5, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Joyce Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Joyce Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 9, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-joyce-foundation-morg_539207c1725340e58268c0a27888165e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_366079185_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Joyce Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-joyce-foundation-morg_539207c1725340e58268c0a27888165e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-09. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Joyce Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Joyce Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?