Michael Joyce (1939–2006) was a prominent American philanthropist and conservative activist who served as president of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation from 1985 to 1999. He earned a bachelor's degree in liberal arts from the University of Notre Dame in 1965. Joyce transformed the Bradley Foundation into a major force in conservative grantmaking, directing significant funds toward anti-leftist initiatives, right-wing causes, and intellectual and media projects. Under his leadership, the foundation supported organizations such as the Heritage Foundation, the American Enterprise Institute, and various think tanks promoting free-market policies, school choice, and opposition to affirmative action. He also held the position of director at the John M. Olin Foundation, further amplifying his impact on conservative philanthropy.

Prior to his role at the Bradley Foundation, Joyce held positions in education and nonprofit sectors, including work with the J.M. Kaplan Fund and as a program officer at the Lilly Endowment. His career reflected a commitment to Catholic social teachings and conservative values, influenced by his background in philosophy and education. Joyce was instrumental in fostering alliances among conservative donors and institutions, helping to build the infrastructure that supported the Republican ascendancy in the late 20th century.

Joyce's tenure at the Bradley Foundation was marked by strategic grantmaking that bolstered the intellectual infrastructure of conservatism during the Reagan era and beyond. He retired from the Bradley Foundation in 1999 amid some internal controversies but continued to influence philanthropy until his death. Critics accused Joyce and the foundation of funding efforts to undermine progressive policies, including welfare reform opposition and cultural conservatism, leading to controversies over the politicization of nonprofit funds. Despite such criticisms, Joyce was praised within conservative circles for his vision in building networks of influence.

Joyce's legacy is marked by both praise from conservatives for advancing their agenda and criticism from progressives who accused him of funding efforts to undermine civil rights and environmental protections. He was involved in no major legal scandals, but his grantmaking decisions drew scrutiny for their partisan tilt. Overall, Joyce exemplified the intersection of philanthropy and politics in shaping American conservatism.