At its inception more than twenty years ago, money was perhaps the primary motivating factor for Chicago Foundation for Women. Savvy women realized that only a small cut (approximately 3%) of philanthropic dollars were going to support programs addressing the specific needs of women and girls, although such programs addressing domestic violence, reproductive health, economic equality and other issues are critical to the well-being of thousands of females in Chicago (and, by extension, thousands of families affected by women’s situations). In addition, women were underrepresented in philanthropy, uneducated in financial matters and disinclined to exercise control over assets. There was a need for women to be taught about the power and significance of giving in the community.

 

In 1984, four women leaders in the Chicago philanthropic community with a shared vision – Marjorie Craig Benton, Sunny Fischer, Iris Krieg and Lucia Woods Lindley – brought together a number of collaborators into planning groups that laid the financial and programmatic groundwork for Chicago Foundation for Women. These founders organized around the statement of Basic Principles which guides the Foundation to the present day. Chicago Foundation for Women was incorporated on Dec. 31, 1984. A board of directors was elected, fundraising carried out, and an executive director was hired the following year. In the spring of 1986, the Foundation made its first grants totaling $50,000.

 

The Foundation’s first mission statement read: "The goal of Chicago Foundation for Women is to fund organizations and projects that address the needs of women of all economic, ethnic and racial backgrounds. The Foundation works to benefit our whole society by removing the obstacles that prevent women from achieving their full potential in all aspects of their lives."

 

Chicago Foundation for Women is now one of the largest women’s funds in the world. In its twenty-two years of existence, the Foundation has become a respected Chicago institution and has awarded more than 2,500 grants totaling over $15 million to hundreds of organizations serving women and girls. In addition, the Foundation is dedicated to effecting social change by providing opportunities and promoting solutions for women and girls across metropolitan Chicago through leadership development; public policy and advocacy; grantmaking, and public and grantee education. The Foundation’s core values include gender-specific funding, diversity, access and choice.