Check out the latest insights from our program team and grantees.
Grantees
Ron OJ Parson
Acclaimed director/actor Ron OJ Parson is in a season of radical reflection. In a 50-year career that most creatives dream of, Parson has become one of the nation’s pre-eminent theater directors. Learn more about his work here.

We the People of Detroit
We the People of Detroit is a grantee partner of Joyce’s Environment Program. Learn more about the organization here.

They Got NEXT — Chicago Sinfonietta Celebrates 35 Years
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chicago Sinfonietta, like so many organizations, was forced to reimagine itself, pivoting programming and performances to a fully virtual space.
Grantee
Chicago Sinfonietta

Congo Square Play Promotes Healing, Catharsis in Chicago
Congo Square Theatre is an ensemble dedicated to producing transformative work rooted in the African Diaspora. For 20 years it has committed to telling stories by and for Black people.
Grantee
Congo Square Theatre Company

Building collective power through research
Black Researchers Collective was founded in 2019 with a mission to train and equip communities with the research tools necessary to be more civically engaged and policy informed.
Grantee
Black Researchers Collective

The nation’s first Black arts museum
South Side Community Art Center is the nation’s first Black arts museum that develops and showcases some of the nation’s most influential Black artists.
Grantee
South Side Community Art Center
All Insights
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Content Type
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Programs
'The Gun Machine': A podcast about how America was forged by the gun industry
Produced by WBUR and The Trace, the podcast looks into the history of the relationship between the gun industry and the U.S. government. 'The Gun Machine' debuts on Oct. 4, 2023.
Source
WBUR; The Trace

Joyce Joins Press Forward National Coalition to Revitalize Local News
The Joyce Foundation joined a national coalition of 22 donors today in announcing the formation of Press Forward, an initiative designed to strengthen communities and, by extension, democracy, by supporting local news and information.
New Data from MN on Different Approaches to Public Safety
In recent years, crime and public safety has become a top issue of concern among policy makers, researchers, advocates, and communities. During this briefing, researchers Daniel Gotoff and Brian Nienaber presented data specific to the state of Minnesota.
Investing in Governance and Management Can Make Violence Reduction Efforts Successful
An action research and practice agenda to clarify the challenges and opportunities inherent to implementing, managing and governing community violence intervention (CVI) work in cities.
Joyce Awards Information Session - August 2023
Culture director Mia Khimm and grants manager Lynne Wiora discuss the Joyce Awards program and application process. LOIs are due on Sept. 11, 2023. New applicants should create accounts by Sept. 6, 2023.
Climate and Clean Water won Big in Minnesota. Here’s How
For years, Minnesota has watched its famous lakes get more polluted and its seasons get warmer due to climate disruptions, while its Legislature took modest, if any, steps to address either problem (or passed policies that made matters worse)...
New Data from IL on Different Approaches to Public Safety
In recent years, crime and public safety has become a top issue of concern among policy makers, researchers, advocates, and communities. During this briefing, researchers Celinda Lake and Brian Nienaber presented data specific to the state of Illinois...
Ron OJ Parson
Acclaimed director/actor Ron OJ Parson is in a season of radical reflection. In a 50-year career that most creatives dream of, Parson has become one of the nation’s pre-eminent theater directors. Learn more about his work here.
2024 Joyce Awards applications open: Grants increased to $100K each
Now accepting applications for the 2024 Joyce Awards
Joyce Statement in Response to SCOTUS Affirmative Action Decision
The Supreme Court’s ruling could unravel the years of progress towards diversifying college campuses. The decisions will hinder colleges/universities from considering race in admission decisions, reversing decades of legal precedent.
Implementing Extreme Risk Protection Orders: Tools for the Field
Lunch & Learn webinar presents a new report that details promising practices for policymakers and practitioners alike in implementing Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) policies more effectively. June 2023

2023 Joyce Awards Announcement
We’re thrilled to announce the 2023 winners of our Joyce Awards, which support the creation of community-driven new works by artists of color in partnership with organizations in the Great Lakes region.

Reclaiming Reform: Policing, Public Safety & Public Trust
Joyce and Crain's Business Chicago hosted a public forum to discuss national best practices in police reform and assess how they could be applied to Chicago as the City works to implement it’s consent decree and selects a new leader of CPD.
New Responses to Illegal Gun Possession: Prosecutor Led Gun Diversion Program Evaluation Results From Minneapolis, MN and Brooklyn, NY
During this webinar, researchers from The Marron Institute and the Smart Decarceration Project housed at the University of Chicago present new findings from evaluations of two prosecutor led gun diversion programs

Joyce Mourns the Passing of Founding Board Member Jack Anderson
Anderson was co-chair of the Board of Directors from '84-'87, Board Chair from '87-2011, and then emeritus director. He is largely responsible for establishing the vision of the organization and building it into one of Illinois’ largest philanthropies...

Presenting a New Dashboard on Violent Deaths in Michigan
The new tool visualizes information on violent deaths in the state to help communities better develop prevention strategies and policies.