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    5. Aurora Women'S Empowerment Foundation
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    Aurora Women'S Empowerment Foundation

    ActivePhilanthropy & Voluntarism
    AURORA, ILWebsite6302091509

    About Aurora Women'S Empowerment Foundation

    Although named for women’s empowerment, the foundation funds a geographically focused mix of social-service, economic-advancement, cultural, and health organizations in the Aurora/Elgin/Fox Valley area. Their grants emphasize program support for local nonprofits that serve women, low-income workers (including farmworkers), youth, and community arts and health services. They frequently make sizeable awards to a handful of repeat grantees, supporting program delivery and capacity rather than national policy work.

    Focus Areas

    Economic empowerment for women and small-business development (Women’s Business Development Center)Advocacy and services for farmworkers and landscapers (Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project)Youth development and after-school programming in Elgin/Aurora (Boys & Girls Club – Blackhawk Academy)Local performing arts and cultural venue support (Paramount Arts Centre)Community health and home care services (VNA Health Care)

    Who They Fund

    women (participants in women's circles)children and youth (young audiences)

    About Aurora Women'S Empowerment Foundation

    Aurora Women's Empowerment Foundation shows a clear pattern of multi-year support for women’s economic advancement, youth programming, and local service organizations across the Aurora area. A defining thread is its repeated funding of the Women’s Business Development Center, including $50,000 in both 2023 and 2024 for program funding, alongside support for the Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project’s women’s circles initiative and program work. The foundation also backs community-facing institutions that serve children, families, and local residents, such as Boys & Girls Club of Elgin’s Blackhawk Academy programming and Paramount Arts Centre’s theater for young audiences work. Its recent grants indicate a preference for established local nonprofits delivering direct services rather than one-time, stand-alone awards. Across the grant list, the same organizations often reappear in multiple years, suggesting ongoing relationships with grantees and sustained support for specific programs. The overall picture is of a local funder centered on female-focused empowerment, education, and practical community services in the Aurora, Elgin, and Fox Valley area.

    What Aurora Women'S Empowerment Foundation Funds

    Women’s economic opportunity is a visible priority. Aurora Women's Empowerment Foundation gave $50,000 in 2023 and $50,000 in 2024 to the Women’s Business Development Center for program funding, pointing to sustained support for business development services. It also supports women-centered advocacy and peer programming: the Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project received $50,000 in 2023 and 2024 for women’s circles initiatives, plus $40,000 in 2025 for program funding. Youth development appears through Blackhawk Academy at Boys & Girls Club of Elgin, which received $68,750 in both 2023 and 2024. Cultural and educational access also matter in the portfolio, with Paramount Arts Centre Inc. funded for theater for young audiences in 2023 and 2024. These grants show a mix of direct service, enrichment, and skill-building rather than a single-program approach.

    How Aurora Women'S Empowerment Foundation Gives

    Typical award sizes cluster around a mid-sized local-grant range, with a p25 of $9,167, a median of $29,925, and a p75 of $50,000. The recent list shows repeated support to several organizations across multiple years, including Boys & Girls Club of Elgin, Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project, Women’s Business Development Center, Paramount Arts Centre Inc., Vna Health Care, West Aurora a Foundation, and Dvsa Communities. That pattern suggests recurring relationships rather than isolated one-off gifts. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. The active grant programs include both competitive and general grantmaking, and at least two programs accept unsolicited applications.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $273K

    Total Assets

    $5.8M

    Total Revenue

    $203K

    Total Expenses

    $374K

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $9K and $50K, with a median of $30K.

    25th Percentile

    $9K

    Median

    $30K

    75th Percentile

    $50K

    Geographic Reach

    Local1 state funded

    About 100% of grants go to recipients in IL.

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

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    EIN: 83-1077003
    3 filings on record
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    adult learners with low literacy

    Giving Approach

    Concentrated giving: relatively few, large grants with multiple repeat awards to core local grantees; emphasis on program funding and capacity-building rather than many small, one-off gifts.

    Funding Style

    program-specific grantsproject/initiative fundingdirect service delivery

    Notable grantees: Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project, Boys & Girls Club of Elgin (Blackhawk Academy), Paramount Arts Centre Inc, Women's Business Development Center, VNA Health Care

    Topics

    women's empowerment / women's circlesyouth theater / arts education for young audiencesadult literacy and tutoringcommunity education and empowerment programsperforming arts programming

    Where Aurora Women'S Empowerment Foundation Makes Grants

    Grantmaking is fully local and entirely within the U.S., with all listed recipient grants going to Illinois organizations. Aurora appears frequently, including Vna Health Care, Paramount Arts Centre Inc., West Aurora a Foundation, Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, Simply Destinee, Dvsa Communities, Fox Valley Music Foundation, Helm Foundation Inc., and others. Elgin, Chicago, Naperville, Plainfield, Wheaton, and Oswego also appear among recipient cities. The grant pattern points to a concentrated Aurora-area footprint rather than broader regional or national giving.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Aurora Women'S Empowerment Foundation

    What kinds of organizations does Aurora Women's Empowerment Foundation support?

    The foundation supports tax-exempt nonprofits and, through its programs, has funded organizations working in women’s empowerment, leadership development, economic opportunity, domestic violence prevention and services, literacy and education, and community services. Recent grants also show support for youth programming, cultural venues, and health services.

    Does Aurora Women's Empowerment Foundation accept unsolicited applications?

    Yes. The AWEF General Grant Program and the Grant Program both accept unsolicited applications, while the Leadership Academy Scholarships program does not.

    What is a typical grant size from Aurora Women's Empowerment Foundation?

    Recent awards cluster around a median of $29,925, with a lower quartile of $9,167 and an upper quartile of $50,000. The grant list includes repeated awards at $50,000 and $68,750, alongside smaller awards in the $5,500 to $11,000 range.

    Is Aurora Women's Empowerment Foundation’s giving recurring or mostly one-time?

    Recurring support is common. Multiple organizations appear in more than one year, including Boys & Girls Club of Elgin, Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project, Women’s Business Development Center, Paramount Arts Centre Inc., Vna Health Care, West Aurora a Foundation, and Dvsa Communities.

    Where does Aurora Women's Empowerment Foundation give most often?

    Its grantmaking is local, and 100% of the listed grants go to recipients in Illinois. Aurora is the most common recipient city, with additional Illinois recipients in Elgin, Chicago, Naperville, Plainfield, Wheaton, and Oswego.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Aurora Women'S Empowerment Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowRolling / open intake

    Grant Program

    women's empowermentfemale-focused servicesleadership development+7 more

    Who can apply: Applicant must be a tax-exempt nonprofit. Preference is given to organizations located in AWEF’s service area (Kane, DuPage, and Kendall Counties within the defined Aurora Area). Projects should address a documented need, be innovative, collaborative, potentially self-sustaining, and closely aligned with AWEF’s female-focused mission. Multi-year requests may be considered.

    Deadline: Rolling, open all year

    View & apply
    Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Varies

    AWEF General Grant Program

    women's empowermentgirls' empowermentleadership development+7 more

    Who can apply: Applicants must be tax-exempt nonprofit organizations. Preference is given to organizations located in the Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation service area. Projects should address a documented need, be innovative, collaborative, potentially self-sustaining, and closely align with AWEF’s mission of empowering women and girls. Organizations outside the service area may be considered if they demonstrate significant impact within the service area.

    Deadline: Applications are accepted all year; announcements are made as grants are awarded.

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    IMPERFECT ANGELS ORGANIZATIONPLAINFIELD, IL$52,9502025PROGRAM FUNDING
    PARAMOUNT ARTS CENTRE INCAURORA, IL$50,0002025PROGRAM FUNDING
    FARMWORKER & LANDSCAPER ADVOCACY PROJECTCHICAGO, IL$40,0002025PROGRAM FUNDING
    VNA HEALTH CAREAURORA, IL$32,0002025PROGRAM FUNDING
    WEST AURORA A FOUNDATIONAURORA, IL$29,9252025PROGRAM FUNDING
    ALIVE CENTER NFPNAPERVILLE, IL$20,0002025PROGRAM FUNDING
    SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN ALLIANCECHICAGO, IL$10,0002025PROGRAM FUNDING
    SIMPLY DESTINEEAURORA, IL$8,3342025PROGRAM FUNDING
    DVSA COMMUNITIESAURORA, IL$7,5002025PROGRAM FUNDING
    COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE FOX RIVER VALLEYAURORA, IL$7,2502025PROGRAM FUNDING
    FOX VALLEY MUSIC FOUNDATIONAURORA, IL$6,0002025PROGRAM FUNDING
    CHARLEY CO BOXING CLUBOSWEGO, IL$5,5002025PROGRAM FUNDING
    HELM FOUNDATION INCAURORA, IL$3,1002025PROGRAM FUNDING
    BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ELGINELGIN, IL$68,7502024BLACKHAWK ACADEMY PR
    WOMEN'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERCHICAGO, IL$50,0002024PROGRAM FUNDING
    FARMWORKER & LANDSCAPER ADVOCACY PROJECTCHICAGO, IL$50,0002024WOMEN'S CIRCLES INIT
    WEST AURORA A FOUNDATIONAURORA, IL$29,9252024EDUCATE & EMPOWER
    PARAMOUNT ARTS CENTRE INCAURORA, IL$25,0002024THEATER FOR YOUNG AU
    LITERACY DUPAGEWHEATON, IL$10,0002024ADULT LITERACY TUTOR
    DVSA COMMUNITIESAURORA, IL$7,5002024PROGRAM FUNDING
    BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ELGINELGIN, IL$68,7502023BLACKHAWK ACADEMY PR
    WOMEN'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERCHICAGO, IL$50,0002023PROGRAM FUNDING
    PARAMOUNT ARTS CENTRE INCAURORA, IL$50,0002023THEATER FOR YOUNG AU
    FARMWORKER & LANDSCAPER ADVOCACY PROJECTCHICAGO, IL$50,0002023WOMEN'S CIRCLES INIT
    VNA HEALTH CAREAURORA, IL$32,0002023PROGRAM FUNDING
    A FOUNDATION FOR WEST AURORA SCHOOLSAURORA, IL$25,5532023EDUCATE & EMPOWER
    COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE FOX RIVER VALLEYAURORA, IL$11,0002023PROGRAM FUNDING

    IMPERFECT ANGELS ORGANIZATION

    $52,950
    PLAINFIELD, IL2025

    PROGRAM FUNDING

    PARAMOUNT ARTS CENTRE INC

    $50,000
    AURORA, IL2025

    PROGRAM FUNDING

    FARMWORKER & LANDSCAPER ADVOCACY PROJECT

    $40,000
    CHICAGO, IL2025

    PROGRAM FUNDING

    VNA HEALTH CARE

    $32,000
    AURORA, IL2025

    PROGRAM FUNDING

    WEST AURORA A FOUNDATION

    $29,925
    AURORA, IL2025

    PROGRAM FUNDING

    ALIVE CENTER NFP

    $20,000
    NAPERVILLE, IL2025

    PROGRAM FUNDING

    SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN ALLIANCE

    $10,000
    CHICAGO, IL2025

    PROGRAM FUNDING

    SIMPLY DESTINEE

    $8,334
    AURORA, IL2025

    PROGRAM FUNDING

    DVSA COMMUNITIES

    $7,500
    AURORA, IL2025

    PROGRAM FUNDING

    COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE FOX RIVER VALLEY

    $7,250
    AURORA, IL2025

    PROGRAM FUNDING

    FOX VALLEY MUSIC FOUNDATION

    $6,000
    AURORA, IL2025

    PROGRAM FUNDING

    CHARLEY CO BOXING CLUB

    $5,500
    OSWEGO, IL2025

    PROGRAM FUNDING

    HELM FOUNDATION INC

    $3,100
    AURORA, IL2025

    PROGRAM FUNDING

    BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ELGIN

    $68,750
    ELGIN, IL2024

    BLACKHAWK ACADEMY PR

    WOMEN'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

    $50,000
    CHICAGO, IL2024

    PROGRAM FUNDING

    FARMWORKER & LANDSCAPER ADVOCACY PROJECT

    $50,000
    CHICAGO, IL2024

    WOMEN'S CIRCLES INIT

    WEST AURORA A FOUNDATION

    $29,925
    AURORA, IL2024

    EDUCATE & EMPOWER

    PARAMOUNT ARTS CENTRE INC

    $25,000
    AURORA, IL2024

    THEATER FOR YOUNG AU

    LITERACY DUPAGE

    $10,000
    WHEATON, IL2024

    ADULT LITERACY TUTOR

    DVSA COMMUNITIES

    $7,500
    AURORA, IL2024

    PROGRAM FUNDING

    BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ELGIN

    $68,750
    ELGIN, IL2023

    BLACKHAWK ACADEMY PR

    WOMEN'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

    $50,000
    CHICAGO, IL2023

    PROGRAM FUNDING

    PARAMOUNT ARTS CENTRE INC

    $50,000
    AURORA, IL2023

    THEATER FOR YOUNG AU

    FARMWORKER & LANDSCAPER ADVOCACY PROJECT

    $50,000
    CHICAGO, IL2023

    WOMEN'S CIRCLES INIT

    VNA HEALTH CARE

    $32,000
    AURORA, IL2023

    PROGRAM FUNDING

    A FOUNDATION FOR WEST AURORA SCHOOLS

    $25,553
    AURORA, IL2023

    EDUCATE & EMPOWER

    COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE FOX RIVER VALLEY

    $11,000
    AURORA, IL2023

    PROGRAM FUNDING