Education, opportunity, health, and hope for all.
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About the foundation
The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of the people of Chicago faced with challenges rooted in the systems of inequity.
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Funding priorities
We offer grants in three program areas—Arts Learning, Education, and Employment—to organizations with the strength and commitment to address persistent problems of urban Chicago.
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Our program focus
The Foundation focuses on programs with a demonstrated record of high-quality, effective services that improve conditions for low-income, underserved communities in Chicago areas.
How to apply
If you’re eligible, submit a letter of inquiry, then allow our program officers 30 days to respond. Once you’re invited to apply, submit your application with the required documents.
Data drives real change
In this year’s annual report, we highlight how data helps drive real change for the individuals and communities served by our grantees.
While the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation provides grants to organizations working in arts learning, education, and employment, the ultimate impact is measured in the lives improved across Chicago.
Our history
Learn how Lloyd A. Fry, the founder of the nation’s largest roofing materials company, created a foundation that has grown and evolved to help address the critical needs of Chicago communities during these quickly changing times.
Recent News
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Honoring Retiring Directors Scott McCue and Stephanie Pace Marshall
June 23, 2026
It is with deep gratitude and admiration that the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation family recognizes Howard “Scott” M. McCue III and Stephanie Pace Marshall at the conclusion of their distinguished service as board members. Each has dedicated time, intellect, and passion in ways that have shaped the organization and will be felt for generations to come. Read more about Scott and Stephanie’s tenures.
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Spotlight: Employment Program
June 23, 2026
The Fry Foundation's Employment Program supports vocational training organizations that connect low-income job seekers to careers in healthcare, construction, technology, and transportation. This past year was a hard one for the organizations doing this work. Federal funding uncertainty, shifting SNAP requirements, and rising operating costs created real hardship, yet partners responded with creativity and care. They expanded mental health services, reinforced employer relationships, and found ways to meet participants' immediate needs even as the landscape shifted. Program outcomes remained strong, with graduates placed on major construction projects, AI training embedded in technology curricula, and a nursing program achieving college accreditation. Read more about what our Employment Program partners accomplished this year.
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Interview with New President Sherly Chavarria
February 27, 2026
In January, Sherly Chavarria stepped into her new role as President of the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, bringing with her many years of experience addressing systemic barriers in education, public service, and philanthropy. In this conversation, Sherly reflects on the lessons that have shaped her approach to leadership, from the power of deep listening to the process of turning vision into disciplined action, and shares how those principles will guide her work in philanthropy. She also discusses the Foundation’s role in a complex and uncertain moment, what steady leadership looks like right now, and how she’s thinking about partnership, consistency, and being responsive.