Ellen Alberding is president of the Joyce Foundation, which has assets of $800 million and makes grants of $40 million per year for projects to improve quality of life in the Great Lakes region. Foundation priorities include advancing water and air quality, improving educational outcomes for low-income children, employment and workforce issues, and other initiatives that promote democracy and a diverse and thriving culture. In June 2011, Alberding was appointed vice chair of City Colleges of Chicago. She is also a founder and board member of Advance Illinois, a board member of Independent Sector, and a trustee of the National Park Foundation.