Lloyd A. Fry Foundation

The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, dedicated to improving the lives of Chicago residents facing challenges rooted in systems of inequity. It traces its origins to the Lloyd A. Fry Roofing Company, founded in 1933 by Lloyd A. Fry on Chicago's Southwest Side. Over the following decades the company grew into the world's largest manufacturer of asphalt roofing and allied products, employing nearly 5,000 people at manufacturing facilities nationwide. In 1977 the company was sold to Owens-Corning Fiberglass Corporation, and the proceeds from that sale largely formed the endowment of the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, which began addressing the needs of the Chicago community in 1983. The Foundation makes grants in three program areas—Arts Learning, Education, and Employment—to nonprofit organizations with a demonstrated record of high-quality, effective services that improve conditions for low-income, underserved communities in Chicago. Its stated mission is to improve the lives of Chicagoans facing challenges rooted in inequity, partnering with effective nonprofits that share its commitment to building a community in which all individuals and families can thrive. Its vision is a Chicago that offers education, opportunity, health, and hope for all. The Foundation is governed and staffed by a small team, with Sherly Chavarria serving as President. Its grantmaking process begins with an eligible organization submitting a letter of inquiry, after which program officers respond within 30 days; invited organizations then submit a full application with required documents. The Foundation publishes an annual report and marked 40 years of grantmaking in Chicago in September 2023, celebrating more than 140 grantee partners at an event at the Arts Club of Chicago. It remains an active, private grantmaking institution focused on the Chicago area.

The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation's history is inseparable from the roofing company founded by its namesake. In 1933, Lloyd A. Fry founded the Lloyd A. Fry Roofing Company on the Southwest Side of Chicago. Over the next five decades the company grew to become the world's largest manufacturer of asphalt roofing and allied products, with nearly 5,000 employees in manufacturing facilities nationwide. Lloyd A. ("Cap") Fry, Jr. (1917–2001), son of the founder and father of a past Board Chair, served as President of the Lloyd A. Fry Roofing Co. from 1955 to 1977, and it was his stewardship that built the success reflected in the Foundation's endowment today. In 1977 the company was sold to Owens-Corning Fiberglass Corporation. In large part, the proceeds from that sale now serve as the endowment of the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation. The Foundation has been addressing the needs of the Chicago community since 1983. Lloyd A. ("Cap") Fry, Jr. also served as President and a Director of the Foundation for over a decade. In September 2023, the Foundation celebrated 40 years of grantmaking in Chicago with an event at the Arts Club of Chicago, honoring more than 140 grantee partners. Foundation President Unmi Song spoke at the event, saying, "All of you are working on things that are more difficult than the origins of the universe. You are my heroes. Thank you for your service." The Foundation continues to publish annual reports and to fund organizations in arts learning, education, and employment across Chicago.

• 2023

  The Foundation celebrates 40 years of grantmaking in Chicago at the Arts Club of Chicago.

• 1983

  The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation begins addressing the needs of the Chicago community.

• 1977

  The Lloyd A. Fry Roofing Company is sold to Owens-Corning Fiberglass Corporation; proceeds largely form the Foundation's endowment.

• 1955

  Lloyd A. ("Cap") Fry, Jr. becomes President of the Lloyd A. Fry Roofing Co., serving until 1977.

• 1933

  Lloyd A. Fry founds the Lloyd A. Fry Roofing Company on the Southwest Side of Chicago.

A private Chicago-focused foundation advancing equity and opportunity through grants to effective nonprofits.

• Arts Learning grants

  Grants to organizations providing high-quality arts learning programs for low-income, underserved Chicago communities.

• Education grants

  Grants to organizations with demonstrated records of effective educational services in Chicago.

• Employment grants

  Grants to organizations addressing employment needs in low-income Chicago communities.

1. 1Lloyd A. Fry Foundation homepagefryfoundation.org
2. 2Our History :: Lloyd A. Fry Foundationfryfoundation.org
3. 3Mission & Vision :: Lloyd A. Fry Foundationfryfoundation.org
4. 4Our Staff :: Lloyd A. Fry Foundationfryfoundation.org
5. 5Lloyd A. Fry Foundation - Wikidatawikidata.org