To promote social, economic, and racial justice by supporting community organizing, coalition building, and public policy advocacy led by people and communities most impacted.
Woods Fund of Chicago centers general operating support for organizations advancing social, economic, and racial justice in Chicago and the surrounding area. A defining feature of the funder is its trust-based model: it uses multiyear support to sustain community organizing and public policy advocacy rather than tying grants to a single program. That approach shows up in both its core grants and its annual grantmaking, which are built for grantee partners working on racial and economic justice, movement infrastructure, and coalition building. The foundation’s recent grant record also shows substantial support for anchor institutions in the local ecosystem. Crossroads Fund received $190,000 in 2024 and $170,000 in 2025 for general operating support, while Kenwood Oakland Community Organization received $140,000 in 2024 and $100,000 in 2025. Those recurring awards fit a pattern of renewing support for organizations that organize communities and advocate for policy change. Woods Fund of Chicago also made a $500,000 strategic award through its Movement Building for Racial Justice Fund, indicating that it can deploy larger, special-purpose funding when racial justice organizing calls for it.
Community organizing is a core throughline in the foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $120,000 in 2025 to Southside Together Organizing for Power for general operating support, and the organization also received $69,000 in 2023. Public policy advocacy appears alongside organizing, with grantees using support to sustain ongoing advocacy work. In 2025, the funder awarded $60,000 to Chicago United for Equity for general operating support. The foundation also funds movement infrastructure and field support. It provided $100,000 in 2024 to Open Collective Foundation Aka Paths, fiscal sponsor the Praxis Project, for general operating support, and it gave $70,000 in 2024 to Center for Third World Organizing for general operating support. Racial justice is not treated as a separate add-on; it is embedded across the portfolio, including the 2025 grant to Black Roots Alliance for general operating support.
Woods Fund of Chicago’s typical grant size sits at $35,000 at the 25th percentile, $40,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The structured program information points to a largely multiyear, general operating approach, especially for core grants and returning grantee updates. New core grants are one-year and renewable, while returning partners use a shorter organizational update process rather than a full application. The recent grants list shows both recurring support and large general-operating awards, including repeated funding to the same organizations across multiple years. The funder is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Unsolicited applications are accepted in several core and multiyear grant programs.
$5.6M
$40.3M
$3.2M
$8.6M
Most grants fall between $35K and $50K, with a median of $40K.
25th Percentile
$35K
Median
$40K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local and concentrated in Illinois, with 94% of grants going to recipients in the state. Chicago is the main center of activity, and many recent awards go to organizations there, including groups in the city’s South and West Side organizing ecosystem. The recipient list also includes a smaller number of grants outside Illinois, such as in San Francisco and Oakland, but the portfolio remains centered on Chicago-area groups and Cook County considerations in core programs.
The foundation emphasizes general operating and multiyear support for organizations working on social, economic, and racial justice. Its core and annual programs are designed to sustain community organizing and public policy advocacy, and returning grantee partners use an organizational update process rather than a full new application.
Its stated typical grant size is $35,000 at the 25th percentile, $40,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. Core grants for new grantee partners are typically up to $35,000.
Yes. Several of Woods Fund of Chicago’s core and multiyear grant programs accept unsolicited applications, including its annual grantmaking and core grant pathways for new grantee partners.
The funder supports community organizing, coalition building, public policy advocacy, and capacity building tied to racial justice and economic justice. Recent grants also show support for movement infrastructure and general operating expenses for organizations doing that work.
Its grantmaking is local, with 94% of grants going to recipients in Illinois. Chicago is the primary location in the recent grants list, and core programs focus on the Chicago metropolitan area and Cook County.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Woods Fund of Chicago that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations must meet Woods Fund eligibility: Chicago-based, 501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored, engaged in community organizing and/or public policy advocacy, and use a racial equity/justice framework.
Deadline: Applications open for one month each February; grants announced in July.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CROSSROADS FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $170,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MOVEMENT BUILDING PATHS | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SOUTHSIDE TOGETHER ORGANIZING FOR POWER | CHICAGO, IL | $120,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HANA CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $120,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KENWOOD OAKLAND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BLACK ROOTS ALLIANCE | CHICAGO, IL | $90,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS | CHICAGO, IL | $90,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BRIGHTON PARK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GOODKIDS MADCITY ENGLEWOOD | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MUSLIMS FOR JUST FUTURES | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITIES UNITED | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SOUTHSIDERS ORGANIZED FOR UNITY AND LIBERATION | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LOGAN SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION DBA PALENQUE LSNA | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CENTRO DE TRABAJADORES UNIDOS UNITED WORKERS' CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TRUTH RACIAL HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION (TRHT) CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LUCY PARSONS LABS-CURRENT | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ARISE CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HEALING TO ACTION | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ORGANIZED COMMUNITIES AGAINST DEPORTATIONS | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO FREEDOM SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO COMMUNITY AND WORKERS RIGHTS | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO UNITED FOR EQUITY | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO TORTURE JUSTICE CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE LAW PROJECT OF ILLINOIS | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COALITION FOR SPIRITUAL AND PUBLIC LEADERSHIP NFP | MAYWOOD, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WOODSTOCK INSTITUTE | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LATINO UNION INC AKA LATINO UNION OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PILSEN ALLIANCE | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ORGANIZING NEIGHBORHOODS FOR EQUALITY NORTHSIDE | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WESTSIDE RISING | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WORKERS CENTER FOR RACIAL JUSTICE | CHICAGO, IL | $55,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ENLACE CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $51,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ALLIANCE OF FILIPINOS FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND EMPOWERMENT | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| A LONG WALK HOME INC | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MUJERES LATINAS EN ACCION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RAISE YOUR HAND FOR ILLINOIS PUBLIC EDUCATION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LATINO POLICY FORUM | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ILLINOIS COALITION FOR IMMIGRANT & REFUGEE RIGHTS | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WAREHOUSE WORKERS FOR JUSTICE | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE PEOPLE'S LOBBY EDUCATION INSTITUTE | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LITTLE VILLAGE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO WORKERS' COLLABORATIVE | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO COMMUNITY BOND FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOUSING ACTION ILLINOIS | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROVIDERS ASSOCIATION | SPRINGFIELD, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BRAVE SPACE ALLIANCE | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PASO-WEST SUBURBAN ACTION PROJECT | MELROSE PARK, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BLOCKS TOGETHER | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
MOVEMENT BUILDING PATHS
$150,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHICAGO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS
$90,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$75,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MUSLIMS FOR JUST FUTURES
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TRUTH RACIAL HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION (TRHT) CHICAGO
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LUCY PARSONS LABS-CURRENT
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE LAW PROJECT OF ILLINOIS
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LATINO UNION INC AKA LATINO UNION OF CHICAGO
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PILSEN ALLIANCE
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WESTSIDE RISING
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ALLIANCE OF FILIPINOS FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND EMPOWERMENT
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WAREHOUSE WORKERS FOR JUSTICE
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROVIDERS ASSOCIATION
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PASO-WEST SUBURBAN ACTION PROJECT
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BLOCKS TOGETHER
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
