As of 2021, it had assets of approximately $1.1 billion and distributes $50 million in grants per year and primarily funds organizations in the Great Lakes region.

The family wealth came from the lumber industry, including family-owned timberlands, plywood and saw mills, and wholesale and retail building material distribution facilities located in the Midwest, Louisiana, and Texas.

[11] The Joyce Foundation describes its mission as "working to improve quality of life, promote community vitality, and achieve a fair society".

[11] The Joyce Foundation's primary focus is on the Great Lakes region, where its funding efforts are focused on "environmental preservation, diverse art, energy efficiency, teacher quality, gun violence prevention, early literacy, and workforce development".

[13] Joyce distributes grants designed to prevent gun violence by reducing the easy accessibility of firearms.