The Joyce Foundation invest in public policies and strategies to advance racial equity and economic mobility. We focus our grant-making primarily in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, while also exploring promising, evidence-informed policy solutions nationally and at the federal level.

We support policy research, development, and advocacy in six program areas:

• Culture

• Democracy

• Education & Economic Mobility

• Environment

• Gun Violence Prevention & Justice

• Reform

• Journalism

The Joyce Foundation accepts grant inquiries online throughout the year. Proposals are considered at meetings of the Foundation’s Board of Directors in April, July, and December. Applicants are strongly encouraged to plan their application and proposal submission process for the April or July meetings, since most grant funds will be distributed at those times.

The Foundation funds efforts to address state and local public policy in the Great Lakes region, which we define as Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin; and national public policy designed to have an impact on these Great Lakes states. In addition, individual programs may have specific geographic priorities for funding.

Applicants should anticipate the application process to take approximately four to six months from the initial submission of the letter of inquiry to the receipt of funding.

Proposal Deadlines

April 1, 2026
Decisions made July 2026

August 3, 2026
Decisions made November 2026

December 1, 2026
Decisions made April 2027