High Stakes for Voters in Upcoming Wisconsin Election
Wisconsin voters will also be asked to weigh in on a statewide ballot issue in upcoming election.
Investing in the future of the Great Lakes region.
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 USWhat We Fund
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Culture
Inspiring creativity and cultural stewardship in the next generation and fostering culturally vibrant, equitable, and sustainable communities.
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Democracy
Building a more equitable democracy by striving for participation and representation by all people who call the Great Lakes home.
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Education & Economic Mobility
Closing income and race disparities in college and career success through equitable access to high-quality education.
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Environment
Working to solve the long-term environmental challenges that threaten the next generation in the Great Lakes region.
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Gun Violence Prevention & Justice Reform
Building safe and just communities in the Great Lakes Region.
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Journalism
Supporting high-quality journalism projects focused on public policy issues affecting the Great Lakes region.
Where We Fund
We support organizations that work to improve the quality of life in the Great Lakes region. Click on each state to see some of the groups we fund.
Illinois
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
Indiana
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
Ohio
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
Michigan
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 MichiganMinnesota
In 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
Wisconsin
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
Lend a Hand Fund
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
Policy Watch
Cahokia Heights, IL Settlement with DOJ and EPA Over Sewer System Violations
$30M will go to sewer system repairs after years of untreated sewage harming residents thanks to the advocacy and legal action led by Joyce grantee Equity Legal Services.
Landmark settlement in lawsuit against Wisconsin fraudulent electors scheme
Two Joyce Foundation grantees recently reached settlement agreements in a legal case seeking to hold accountable individuals who played a key role in a scheme to submit a fraudulent slate of electors from Wisconsin in the 2020 presidential election.
The Foundation Celebrated its 75th in 2023
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.
LEARN MOREThe Latest From Joyce
Webinar
Community Violence Prevention and Intervention: Insights from the Frontlines
During the webinar, UC Davis researchers discussed a recent paper exploring insights from CVI professionals in Sacramento, Baltimore, and Milwaukee, focusing on the causes of gun violence, challenges faced by CVI specialists, and key recommendations.
Webinar
Healthcare-based Screening and Violence Prevention Tools
Researchers from the University of Michigan and the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute discussed new findings that explore the role of two tools—SaFETy and Lock to Live.
In The Media
Philanthropy Has a Key Role to Play in Reimagining Public Safety
Quintin Williams, Joyce Foundation senior program officer, co-authors an article on supporting alternative and co-response programs for public safety, transforming emergency systems with non-police solutions that reduce risks and improve outcomes.
Source
Inside Philanthropy
Webinar
Impact of Mass Shootings on Youth
Researchers discuss new findings that explore the psychological impact of mass shootings on youth, and the impact of anonymous reporting systems on school gun violence prevention.
Webinar
Illinois Firearm Injury and Violent Death Dashboard Review
The Joyce Foundation, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine present a new dashboard on violent deaths and firearm-related injuries in Illinois.
News
Statewide Offices of Gun Violence Prevention Take Root
In January 2025, Wisconsin launched OVP to support gun violence reduction efforts, joining over a dozen other states in addressing public health and safety challenges related to gun violence, while highlighting disparities in Black and Brown communities.
Webinar
Diversified Crisis Response – Findings from the Chicago CARE Pilot
During the webinar, the panelists presented key findings from the implementation evaluation of the CARE pilot.
News
Illinois Launches Data Dashboards to Report Violent Deaths & Develop Prevention Strategies
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) launched a new dashboard detailing information about firearm-related injuries and deaths in the state.
Stay Connected
Announcing the 2024 Joyce Awards winners
We’re thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2024 Joyce Awards, marking the 20th anniversary of the foundation’s annual awards program supporting artists of color in the creation of new works with organizational partners across the Great Lakes region.
Learn more about this year's winners