We invest in evidence-informed public policies and strategies to advance racial equity and economic mobility for the next generation in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin.
ABOUT USInspiring creativity and cultural stewardship in the next generation and fostering culturally vibrant, equitable, and sustainable communities.
Building a more equitable democracy by striving for participation and representation by all people who call the Great Lakes home.
Closing income and race disparities in college and career success through equitable access to high-quality education.
Working to solve the long-term environmental challenges that threaten the next generation in the Great Lakes region.
Building safe and just communities in the Great Lakes Region.
Supporting high-quality journalism projects focused on public policy issues affecting the Great Lakes region.
In Illinois, the Joyce Foundation supports work to reduce domestic violence homicide in Cook County; to conduct research on justice system responses to gun offending; to strengthen Black cultural institutions; to promote youth civic engagement; to create pathways to college and career; and to promote community voice in water policy.
Example Grantees in Illinois
In Indiana, the Joyce Foundation supports work to raise the profile of the teaching profession; to strengthen the student-teacher experience; and to cover the Indiana Legislature with a focus on state elections and education.
Example Grantees in Indiana
In Ohio, the Joyce Foundation currently supports work to advance climate solutions; to advocate for inclusive higher ed state policies; to improve election administration, protect voting rights and lead redistricting reform; to reduce harmful college debt collection practices; and to address challenges faced by OH’s largest cities.
Example Grantees in Ohio
In Michigan, the Joyce Foundation supports work to engage community partners for input on redistricting maps; to provide Flint residents with trusted water safety information; to provide civic news coverage; and to promote community-driven alternatives to incarceration.
Example Grantees in Michigan
Learn more about our work in MichiganIn Minnesota, the Joyce Foundation currently supports work to promote voting and fair elections; to facilitate the implementation and evaluation of the “Lights On!” program; to develop recommendations on strengthening K-12, higher ed and workforce sector alignment; to advocate for a more racially equitable higher ed system; and to reduce global warming pollution from MN’s electric power sector.
Example Grantees in Minnesota
In Wisconsin, the Joyce Foundation currently supports work to protect voting rights; to prevent gun violence; to advocate for water policy reforms; to advocate to close racial and economic gaps in postsecondary education; and to support a community arts collaboration.
Example Grantees in Wisconsin
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the disproportionate impact on Chicago communities facing persistent structural inequities, the Foundation established the Lend a Hand Fund to provide support to front-line community organizations.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FUND
Joyce's Environment program officer Preeti Shankar discusses the need for equitable investments and policies to ensure all residents in the Great Lakes have access to clean, safe water.
Source
Crain's Detroit Business
New research explores two youth-focused firearm injury prevention programs
The new public opinion research explores young people’s views on what a functional government looks like, what it should deliver, and what issues are most important to them.
The Joyce Foundation mourns the passing of Board Member Emeritus Robert G. Bottoms. Bob served as a Joyce board member for 26 years, retiring in 2023.
Joyce mourns the passing of former Foundation President and Board Member Emerita Charles U. Daly. Chuck served as the Foundation’s president from 1978 to 1986 and remained a Board member until his retirement at age 92 in 2019.
A new report on data centers to help understand both the scale of current development and the long-term implications for electricity demand, job creation, and regional competitiveness in the Great Lakes region.
Panelists discussed findings from a newly published peer-reviewed study that explores the relationship between police effectiveness – both real and perceived – and community members’ willingness to cooperate with police in homicide investigations.
Joyce Foundation program officers Louisa Aviles and Quintin Williams argue that sustaining recent declines in violence will require continued funding, cross-sector collaboration, and long-term commitment.
Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Ted Gregory highlights the Foundation's journey – from the first charitable giving to Joyce's current role as a $1 billion philanthropy advancing racial equity and economic mobility for the Great Lakes’ next generations.
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