We supporting our grantees through the COVID-19 crisis, including the establishment of a $2.5 million response fund. Here's a letter from President Ellen Alberding sharing our initial steps:

Dear Joyce Foundation Partner,

I hope this message finds you well. As we all continue to grapple with the unprecedented challenge of COVID-19, the Joyce team has been working to identify ways in which we can best support our grantees and our community during this difficult time.

We have designated $2.5 million to address the COVID-19 crisis, to support rapid response initiatives in the city of Chicago and across the state as well as to provide additional financial support to grantees who are most vulnerable to the economic aftershocks of the crisis. As this situation continues to evolve, we will explore other ways to contribute to finding solutions to the longer term challenges that will certainly arise from the COVID-19 outbreak.

There is still a lot we do not know about the impact of this crisis. But what we do know is that it has created a host of complications for your work. We also know that now is not the time to stress about meeting deadlines and reporting requirements. We will be as flexible as possible in helping to ensure the ongoing stability of our grantees. In recent days, our program team has reached out to many of you to discuss ways in which we can help you navigate this period. You will be hearing a lot more from us in the days and weeks ahead.

In this time of uncertainty, I want to reassure you of our commitment to you and your work. We will weather this challenge together.

Ellen S. Alberding
President, Joyce Foundation