Fry Foundation: Education Grants

Fry Foundation: Education Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
Last Updated: January 02, 2026

Summary

The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation provides education grants focusing on improving academic achievement for low-income students in Chicago's public schools. Their funding priorities include principal development, teacher leadership, and academic enrichment programs. They seek organizations with proven effectiveness and innovative approaches that can demonstrate clear outcomes. Grants are limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations based in Chicago, with a preference for those aligning with their mission to support underserved communities.

Overview

NOTE: Before you dedicate time to generate a large application, a letter of inquiry allows us to give you preliminary feedback concerning your request and its potential fit within our funding priorities. Please allow our program officers 30 days to respond to letters of inquiry. Background The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation supports organizations with the strength and commitment to address persistent problems of urban Chicago resulting from poverty, violence, ignorance, and despair. We seek to build the capacity of individuals and the systems that serve them. Our vision is a Chicago that offers education, prosperity 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 four major fields: Arts Learning, Education, Employment, and Health. Within these funding areas, we give priority to: Programs with a demonstrated record of high-quality, effective servicesEfforts 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 fieldThe 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. Education Grants Increasing the academic achievement of low-income students in historically disinvested Chicago public schools. The Fry Foundation's Education program has been a cornerstone of our grantmaking since our inception. What we fund- Our funding focuses on: Principal Development We support programs that develop and empower Chicago Public Schools (CPS) principals to provide leadership that strengthens teacher instructional practices and improves student academic outcomes. Our focus includes programs that help principals apply research-based instructional strategies, establish and sustain systems for effective teacher collaboration, and partner with CPS to design and implement policies and programs that enhance the development and retention of strong, effective principals. Teacher Leadership and Professional Learning We support programs that enhance teacher professional learning to implement effective instructional practices. Our current priority is programs that develop teacher leaders within schools who collaborate with their peers to advance research based instructional improvements. We prioritize programs that support teacher leadership work that is closely aligned with the school's overall improvement goals, improve teacher leaders' capacity to facilitate school-based professional learning and collaboration, build content and pedagogical knowledge, and use data-driven approaches to improve instruction. Academic Enrichment for Students We support rigorous academic enrichment programs aimed at building students’ skills in reading, writing, math, and research. These programs should have a clearly articulated curriculum, should be led by experienced educators and monitor student academic growth to ensure continuous improvement. Within these priority areas, we look for programs that have: Have clear and measurable connections to academic achievement Demonstrate strong evidence of improved academic achievement and instructional quality as a result of their work and actively use collected data to improve program effectiveness.Use data to regularly engage in program continuous improvement efforts.Prioritize working with middle and high schools that have high percentages of students of color in historically disinvested areas.Have a strong track record of working with Chicago Public Schools.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. We focus on 501(c)3 organizations based in Chicago. We make grants only to tax-exempt organizations and rarely fund organizations outside Chicago. In addition, organizations must agree that funds awarded for programs based in Chicago remain in Chicago and are not included in calculations of funds exchanged between local and national offices.

Ineligibility

In general, the Foundation does not make grants to individuals, governmental entities, or 509a3 supporting organizations, although exceptions sometimes are made for publicly supported charities.We also do not provide funding for: general operating expenses for new grantees; capital projects; endowments; fundraising events; political activities; medical research; or religious purposes.What we do not fundWhile the Fry Foundation is committed to enhancing education outcomes, there are certain areas we generally do not support: Scholarship programs: We do not fund individual scholarships.Unsolicited proposals from individual schools: Proposals must align with our broader focus areas and come through invited partnerships.Programs serving students outside of Chicago:Programs must benefit students who reside within Chicago.