As this annual report goes to print, the nonprofit sector is dominated by questions about how the financial crisis and economic turbulence will affect grantees and foundation grantmaking. To address the question that is on the minds of many of our grantees, "Yes, the Fry Foundation will continue making grants next year." The Foundation has a history of seeking continuity and stability in our grantmaking during turbulent economic times. Our grant review process will continue unchanged, and we do not anticipate major changes in our four core program areas: Education, Arts Education, Employment and Health. We also will continue to consider new grantees. We may look a little harder than we did last year, but we already were fairly rigorous in our criteria for support, so the process will not be much different.

We are excited to welcome a new director, Graham C. Grady. Graham brings energy, inquisitiveness and new perspectives to the Foundation. And in the tradition of all the Fry Foundation board members, he also brings a lifelong concern and commitment to the challenges facing low-income families in Chicago.

We also are pleased to report that we have continued our explorations into climate change and how Fry Foundation grantmaking might be most helpful in developing local solutions to this important global problem, especially as it affects low-income communities in Chicago. The Foundation has committed almost $1 million for research and analysis on the effects of climate change, strategies for improving energy efficiency, and efforts to improve our public transit system. And we are supporting efforts to monitor "green job" opportunities and help low-income job seekers take advantage of them. Our grantees are working closely with the City of Chicago and its Climate Action Plan in order to help ensure that public, private and nonprofit resources are coordinated and work in complementary ways.

As you read about our grantees this year, you will hear a resounding refrain in all the stories—better, better, better. All the groups featured are running exceptional programs and providing high quality services. They are already "the best in the business" and yet they continue to build on successful practice and strive to do better. These are groups that give definition to terms like culture of inquiry, continuous learning, and continuous improvement. Terms to which many aspire, but few achieve. In the pages that follow, I invite you to learn about some of the experienced, innovative leaders in our community who are working to improve the lives of families throughout Chicago.

Unmi Song, Executive Director