The Joyce Foundation focuses grant making on initiatives that promise to have an impact on the Great Lakes region, specifically the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The Environment Program is committed to speeding the Midwest’s transition to a thriving, low-carbon economy; protecting and restoring a healthy Great Lakes environment which sustains the millions of Americans and Canadians who live along and depend upon the Lakes; and broadening the base of support for strong environmental policies in our home region.

Great Lakes: The Joyce Foundation will seek and support funding opportunities to protect and restore the Great Lakes by considering proposals at the local, state, regional, and national levels that address the following areas:

• Prevent the Introduction and Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species into and around the Great Lakes Basin
• Strengthen federal and state ballast water policy.
• Prevent movement of aquatic invasive species between Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins via Chicago Area Waterway.
• Encourage a new vision for the St. Lawrence Seaway that may include modified operations.
• Increase state collaboration on aquatic invasive species prevention and management.
• Reduce Polluted Runoff from Cities and Farms
• Reduce nonpoint source pollution from urban landscapes (Milwaukee).
• Reduce nutrient pollution from agricultural landscapes (Western Lake Erie Basin).
• Explore market based strategies for reducing polluted runoff from agricultural lands.
• Explore legal and regulatory strategies for reducing polluted runoff from agricultural lands.
• Support strategic pilots and policy shifts to promote green stormwater infrastructure.
• Promote water quality monitoring, science, and research.

Grant proposals are considered at meetings of the Foundation’s Board of Directors in April, July, and December. Deadline dates are:
Proposal Deadline August 19, 2015; Board Meeting December 1, 2015
Proposal Deadline December 2015; Board Meeting April 2016

Contact us for more information. For more information on GFA visit us at gfa.tc.