Lloyd A Fry Foundation
The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation is a Chicago-based private foundation that funds work in Arts Learning, Education, and Employment. The official site provides contact details, staff and board information, recent news, annual and financial reports, and application guidance.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A nonprofit working in arts learning, education, or workforce/employment with demonstrated impact in Illinois (especially Chicago), seeking general operating or program support at grant sizes ranging from small awards to six-figure investments.
Good Fit
- • Clear program alignment with arts learning, K–12 education improvement, or workforce development and job training.
- • Demonstrable impact or partnerships in Chicago/Illinois or a plan showing Illinois-focused outcomes.
- • Readiness to apply via an online grants portal and to accept general operating support or capacity-building awards.
- • Track record appropriate to request size (many grants are small but the foundation also makes grants up to $250,000).
- • Openness to multi-year relationship building (returning recipients are common).
Geography
Grants reached organizations in about 21 states, but approximately 86% of dollars were concentrated in Illinois, indicating a primarily in‑state focus with some out‑of‑state activity.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows a broad portfolio—404 grants to 316 distinct recipients—with many independent organizations supported and substantial returning-recipient activity across three observed years.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of openness exists: the foundation publishes application guidance and an online portal, and the latest year included about 77 new grantees (roughly 24% of recipients), so unfamiliar applicants have a realistic entry path.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
