Chicago Foundation for Women at 40
We’re celebrating 40 years of bold action at Chicago Foundation for Women, sparked by four founders who reimagined philanthropy. Their vision ignited a movement that has invested $50M+ to advance gender equity and support women, girls, and gender-expansive people across the Chicago region.
A Defining Moment for Action
A Defining Moment for Action
This milestone is more than a celebration. It is a call to action. This moment calls us to unite as a force for change, uplift the voices and visions of those we serve, and unleash the full potential of our collective power.
Connecting our community and boldly building bridges.
Celebrating a community of changemakers.
Honoring the past. Mobilizing for the future.
Unleash Power. Sustain Progress.
We aspire to scale our annual giving to $4 million in support of the continued fight for gender equity. To realize this vision, we are rallying our community to raise an additional $1.4 million each year. This is more than a campaign; it is a movement to provide grassroots leaders with the flexible, sustained funding they need to lead, respond, and thrive.
4 for 40 Challenge
40 for 40 Campaign
Grassroots organizations across Chicago are advancing gender equity, but many face uncertain funding. The 4 for 40 Challenge invites you to give monthly, make a one-time gift, or pledge over four years to help build long-term strength, stability, and impact.
Join a bold circle of leadership donors by giving $40,000 or more in honor of CFW’s 40th Anniversary. Your investment fuels multiyear support and rapid response grants, helping grassroots leaders build long-term change and lead with strength for the next 40 years.
4 for 40 Challenge
Grassroots organizations across Chicago are advancing gender equity, but many face uncertain funding. The 4 for 40 Challenge invites you to give monthly, make a one-time gift, or pledge over four years to help build long-term strength, stability, and impact.
40 for 40 Challenge
Join a bold circle of leadership donors by giving $40,000 or more in honor of CFW’s 40th Anniversary. Your investment fuels multiyear support and rapid response grants, helping grassroots leaders build long-term change and lead with strength for the next 40 years.
Thank You For Celebrating 40 With Us
Thank you for joining us at the Hilton Chicago on September 25, 2025 for the 40th Anniversary Luncheon. Over 1,000 of Chicago’s cross-sector, intergenerational changemakers gathered to celebrate community, progress, and purpose and hear from featured speaker and Olympic icon Allyson Felix. Together, you helped us raise over $1 million to advance equity, opportunity, and safety for women, girls, and gender-expansive people across Chicago!
Share Your CFW Story
We believe that stories have the power to inspire change. Share your personal experience with CFW or how our work has impacted your life or community. Whether you’re a grantee, donor, volunteer, or advocate, your story matters. We’ll be collecting and sharing stories throughout our 40th Anniversary Campaign to celebrate the collective power of our community.