In fall 2010, Chicago Foundation for Women will be making grants from the
General Fund and the
Catalyst Fund: Resources for Women of Color in Reproductive Justice. In spring 2011, the Foundation will make grants from the
Sophia Fund for Advocacy and the
Irene Bayrach Anti-Violence Legacy Fund. Throughout the year, grants will be made from the
Strategic Response Fund.
Grants range from $15,000 to $50,000 (except for the Strategic Response Fund--see below) and will support organizations within the Chicago metropolitan area (Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry and Will counties). Activities can be local, regional or, in some instances, statewide.
Read our full Grantmaking Philosophy and Guidelines.
Currently Available Funds:
Questions?
Please check out our
Grantmaking FAQ. To contact us, email
grants@cfw.org or call (312) 577-2801, TTY (312) 577-2803 and ask for the Program Department.
Please note the following automatic reasons for decline for the Fall 2010 grant cycle:
- Application missing materials upon receipt. Staff will not follow up with applicants who fail to submit any of the required materials.
- Application received at CFW office after 5 p.m. on deadline day.
- Application submitted electronically.
- Request for 100% of project budget for General or Catalyst Funds.
- Request for funding for a new staff position.
- Already have current CFW funding for the program.
- Request amount below minimum ($15,000 for primary grant cycles) or above maximum ($50,000 for primary grant cycles).
For more information on our eligibility requirements, read our
Grantmaking Philosophy and Guidelines: Ineligible Applications.
STRATEGIC RESPONSE FUND
This fund allows the Foundation to provide immediate support for projects that aren't a fit or cannot wait for the Foundation's primary grant cycles. Grants of up to $15,000 are awarded on a rolling basis to local organizations addressing critical issues and concerns of women and girls. Grant requests are reviewed and evaluated monthly. Eligible projects are local to the Chicago area, statewide in Illinois and/or national. The organization itself, however, must be based in Illinois. Please note that requests for ongoing support of existing programs or general operating costs are ineligible. This fund is competitive as resources are limited to $50,000 annually. (Note: This replaces the Executive Director Discretionary Fund.) Examples of program priorities are to:
- Support the enhancement of staff skills and knowledge within women-led grassroots nonprofit organizations
- Strengthen the nonprofit and philanthropic communities in their recognition and inclusion of women's and girls' issues
- Support new ideas that will challenge the status quo in addressing the needs of underserved and marginalized populations
- Support local organizations' special events and conferences
- Support forums that use arts and media to promote social justice for women and girls
Application Process for the Strategic Response Fund The application process for this fund is administered in one step. Applicants must submit three collated sets of the following materials, paper-clipped and in this order:
- Grant Application Form (Word document)—includes space to describe the proposed project
- One copy of the organization's most recent 501(c)(3) certification, or that of its fiscal agent with a letter of approval from the fiscal agent
- Two copies of most recent organization audit or filed 990
Mail the above materials to:
Associate Program Officer
Chicago Foundation for Women
1 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1620
Chicago, IL 60601Within four weeks, staff will inform applicants whether they will be awarded a Strategic Response Fund grant.