Chicago Foundation for Women invests in women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals as catalysts, building strong communities for all.
Chicago Foundation for Women channels its grantmaking toward women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals in Chicago through a mix of general operating support, capacity building, and targeted initiative funding. A notable throughline is place-based work in Englewood and the South Side, alongside support for workforce pathways, health access, and violence prevention. In the recent-grants list, Teamwork Englewood received $82,500 in 2025 for the Englewood Women’s Initiative, while Jane Addams Resource Corporation received $100,000 in 2024 for Careers in Manufacturing for Women. The foundation also backs organizations serving women in trades, women’s health, and mental wellness, with awards to Chicago Women in Trades, Equal Hope, and Sista Afya Community Care Nfp. Some grants are unrestricted, while others are tied to named programs or organizational strengthening. Across the grant list, the pattern is local and steady, with repeated support for a small set of Chicago organizations over multiple years. The foundation’s work reflects both direct service and ecosystem support, including leadership development, advocacy, and emergency response funding.
Economic security is a major theme in the foundation’s portfolio. Chicago Women in Trades received $85,000 in 2024 for Advancing Equity and Inclusion for Women and Technical Opportunities Program, and $55,000 in 2025 for Advancing Equity and Inclusion for Women in Apprenticeship and Employment. National Able Network Inc received $50,000 in 2024 for Women’s IT Career Lab Training Program. The foundation also supports neighborhood-based economic mobility work, including Chicago Commons Association’s Family Hub Employment Support Program at $40,000 in 2024. Health and wellness funding appears through both general and issue-specific grants. Equal Hope received $51,000 in 2024 for Northshore Women’s Health Disparities Reduction Program, and Sista Afya Community Care Nfp received $40,000 in 2024 for Holistic Mental Wellness Care. Reproductive justice and adolescent health also show up in support for Everthrive Illinois and Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health. Violence prevention remains another clear line of giving, including Family Rescue’s Englewood Women’s Initiative.
$3.1M
$26M
$3.3M
$6.5M
Most grants fall between $10K and $25K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$25K
SUNNY FISCHER
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Typical awards fall in a fairly tight band: the p25 is $10,000, median grant size is $15,000, and p75 is $24,500. Recent giving also includes larger program and operating grants, which suggests a layered approach rather than a single grant size. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it funds individuals. The grant list shows repeated support to the same organizations across 2024 and 2025, including Teamwork Englewood, Jane Addams Resource Corporation, Chicago Women in Trades, Equal Hope, Family Rescue, Heartland Human Care Services, Everthrive Illinois, Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health, Ladies of Virtue, and Love Unity & Values (luv) Institute. Several active programs are council- or circle-based, and some accept unsolicited requests while others do not.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local: 96% of grants go to recipients in Illinois, and the recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Chicago is the center of activity, with many grants going to organizations in Chicago proper, including Englewood, the South Side, and the Western Suburbs through named giving circles and initiatives. The recent grants also show neighborhood-level focus through Teamwork Englewood, Family Rescue, and All Chicago Making Homelessness History, all in Chicago. Beyond citywide work, the foundation supports Chicago’s South Suburbs and Western Suburbs through place-specific programs.
It funds organizations serving women, girls, and gender-expansive people, with recurring support for work in economic security, freedom from violence, access to health and wellness, reproductive justice, leadership development, and rapid response advocacy. Recent grants also show attention to Chicago neighborhoods such as Englewood and the South Side.
The typical grant size is fairly concentrated: p25 is $10,000, median is $15,000, and p75 is $24,500. Recent awards include larger grants as well, but the central pattern is a mid-sized local grant portfolio.
Yes. The recent grants list includes repeat awards to several organizations across 2024 and 2025, including Teamwork Englewood, Jane Addams Resource Corporation, Chicago Women in Trades, Equal Hope, Family Rescue, Everthrive Illinois, and Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health.
Yes. The Rapid Response Fund accepts unsolicited applications, as do the Western Suburbs Giving Circle, the LBTQ Giving Council, the Epidemic of Violence program, and the South Side Giving Circle. Other programs, including Impact Awards and Willie T. Barrow Fund / Willie’s Warriors Leadership Initiative, do not accept unsolicited requests.
Englewood, the South Side, the South Suburbs, and the Western Suburbs appear repeatedly in the active programs and recent grants. The foundation also supports Chicago-region work through member-driven giving councils and neighborhood circles that focus on specific communities and constituencies.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA NIA INCORPORATED | CHICAGO, IL | $147,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SISTA AFYA COMMUNITY CARE NFP | CHICAGO, IL | $130,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LIFE IS WORK | CHICAGO, IL | $118,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TEAMWORK ENGLEWOOD | CHICAGO, IL | $110,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | 2025 ENGLEWOOD WOMENS INITIATIVE |
| UN NUEVO DESPERTAR-A NEW AWAKENING | CHICAGO, IL | $110,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JANE ADDAMS RESOURCE CORPORATION | CHICAGO, IL | $74,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO WOMEN IN TRADES | CHICAGO, IL | $65,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | ADVANCING EQUITY AND INCLUSION FOR WOMEN IN APPRENTICESHIP AND EMPLOYMENT |
| EVERTHRIVE ILLINOIS | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LADIES OF VIRTUE | CHICAGO, IL | $54,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EQUAL HOPE | CHICAGO, IL | $53,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LOVE UNITY & VALUES (LUV) INSTITUTE | CHICAGO, IL | $46,500In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | LADIES OF LEADERSHIP |
| FAMILY RESCUE INC | CHICAGO, IL | $45,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ILLINOIS CAUCUS FOR ADOLESCENT HEALTH | CHICAGO, IL | $42,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATURE'S GARDEN FOR VICTORY & PEACE CO REBIRTH SOCIETY | ALSIP, IL | $42,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OF COLOR INC | CHICAGO, IL | $38,080In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SOUTHSIDE CENTER OF HOPE | CHICAGO, IL | $36,010In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN WOMEN'S FORUM | CHICAGO, IL | $35,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LAW CENTER FOR BETTER HOUSING | CHICAGO, IL | $35,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | ENGLEWOOD WOMEN'S INITIATIVE |
| GROW YOUR OWN TEACHERS | CHICAGO, IL | $35,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SEXPECTATIONS CHICAGO NFP | CHICAGO, IL | $35,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HEART WOMEN & GIRLS | CHICAGO, IL | $32,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO VOLUNTEER DOULAS INC | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HEALING TO ACTION | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WOMEN EMPLOYED | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ORGANIZING NEIGHBORHOODS FOR EQUALITY NORTHSIDE | CHICAGO, IL | $29,500In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | WOMEN OF COLOR TABLE |
| AFFINITY COMMUNITY SERVICES | CHICAGO, IL | $29,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND FAMILY ISSUES (COFI) | CHICAGO, IL | $27,500In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO FREEDOM SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $27,500In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | PROJECT HEALUS |
| BLACK GIRLS DANCE | CHICAGO, IL | $27,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | CAPACITY BUILDING SUPPORT |
| JANE ADDAMS SENIOR CAUCUS | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ARISE CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ONE ROOF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $24,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO WOMEN'S HEALTH CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $24,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KAN-WIN | PARK RIDGE, IL | $22,500In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LIFT-CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $22,500In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITIES UNITED | CHICAGO, IL | $22,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HUSTLE MOMMIES | OAK PARK, IL | $21,500In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MUJERES LATINAS EN ACCION | CHICAGO, IL | $20,500In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| APNA GHAR | CHICAGO, IL | $20,500In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TARGET HOPE | MATTESON, IL | $20,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | TARGET HOPE STEM ACADEMY |
| SHRIVER CENTER ON POVERTY LAW | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | WOMENS LAW & POLICY INITIATIVE |
| CABRINI GREEN LEGAL AID | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | CGLA ADVOCACY WORK FOR WOMEN AND MOTHERS |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF ILLINOIS | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WAREHOUSE WORKERS FOR JUSTICE | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT (ORGANIZING WOMAN WAREHOUSE WORKERS FOR JUSTICE AND POWER) |
| GYRLS IN THE HOOD FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR ADVANCING DOMESTIC PEACE INC | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR CHANGING LIVES | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HEY BENJI FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $19,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KEHREIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $19,000In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ALLIANCE CHICAGO CO ILLINOIS CONTRACEPTIVE ACCESS NOW (ICAN) | CHICAGO, IL | $17,500In-kind (goods, not cash) | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
BA NIA INCORPORATED
$147,000In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LIFE IS WORK
$118,000In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
UN NUEVO DESPERTAR-A NEW AWAKENING
$110,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
JANE ADDAMS RESOURCE CORPORATION
$74,000In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ADVANCING EQUITY AND INCLUSION FOR WOMEN IN APPRENTICESHIP AND EMPLOYMENT
LOVE UNITY & VALUES (LUV) INSTITUTE
$46,500In-kind (goods, not cash)LADIES OF LEADERSHIP
ILLINOIS CAUCUS FOR ADOLESCENT HEALTH
$42,000In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NATURE'S GARDEN FOR VICTORY & PEACE CO REBIRTH SOCIETY
$42,000In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
OF COLOR INC
$38,080In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SOUTHSIDE CENTER OF HOPE
$36,010In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NATIONAL ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN WOMEN'S FORUM
$35,000In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ENGLEWOOD WOMEN'S INITIATIVE
GROW YOUR OWN TEACHERS
$35,000In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SEXPECTATIONS CHICAGO NFP
$35,000In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHICAGO VOLUNTEER DOULAS INC
$30,000In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ORGANIZING NEIGHBORHOODS FOR EQUALITY NORTHSIDE
$29,500In-kind (goods, not cash)WOMEN OF COLOR TABLE
AFFINITY COMMUNITY SERVICES
$29,000In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND FAMILY ISSUES (COFI)
$27,500In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BLACK GIRLS DANCE
$27,000In-kind (goods, not cash)CAPACITY BUILDING SUPPORT
JANE ADDAMS SENIOR CAUCUS
$25,000In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ONE ROOF CHICAGO
$24,000In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HUSTLE MOMMIES
$21,500In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING
WOMENS LAW & POLICY INITIATIVE
CGLA ADVOCACY WORK FOR WOMEN AND MOTHERS
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF ILLINOIS
$20,000In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WAREHOUSE WORKERS FOR JUSTICE
$20,000In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT (ORGANIZING WOMAN WAREHOUSE WORKERS FOR JUSTICE AND POWER)
GYRLS IN THE HOOD FOUNDATION
$20,000In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CENTER FOR ADVANCING DOMESTIC PEACE INC
$20,000In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HEY BENJI FOUNDATION
$19,000In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
KEHREIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS FOUNDATION
$19,000In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ALLIANCE CHICAGO CO ILLINOIS CONTRACEPTIVE ACCESS NOW (ICAN)
$17,500In-kind (goods, not cash)GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
Current and upcoming funding from Chicago Foundation for Women that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations providing direct service and advocacy for women and girls in the Western Suburbs; specific eligibility determined by circle.
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.