41st Annual Luncheon

41st Annual Luncheon

Chicago Foundation for Women’s Annual Luncheon is the Foundation’s flagship fundraising event, drawing close to 2,000 attendees from across the Chicago region. Supporters celebrate the power of community and invest in building safe, just, and healthy communities for women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals. 

Join us on October 20, 2026, at the Hilton Chicago as we build momentum for the work ahead and honor the partnerships and people that shape what is possible. From reflection to recommitment, the 41st Annual Luncheon will channel the energy of our movement and the bold vision driving us forward.

Event Schedule 

10:30 – 11:30 AM: VIP Reception*
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Registration & Networking
12:00 – 1:30 PM: Program & Featured Speaker 

*By invitation only or  $10,000+ sponsorship

41st Annual Luncheon 

Chicago Foundation for Women’s Annual Luncheon is the Foundation’s flagship fundraising event, drawing close to 2,000 attendees from across the Chicago region. Supporters celebrate the power of community and invest in building safe, just, and healthy communities for women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals. 

Join us on October 20, 2026, at the Hilton Chicago as we build momentum for the work ahead and honor the partnerships and people that shape what is possible. From reflection to recommitment, the 41st Annual Luncheon will channel the energy of our movement and the bold vision driving us forward.

Event Schedule 

10:30 – 11:30 AM: VIP Reception*
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Registration & Networking
12:00 – 1:30 PM: Program & Featured Speaker 

*By invitation only or  $10,000+ sponsorship

Featured Speaker

A Champion On and Off the Track

Allyson Felix joins us to share her powerful story of impact and equity

Allyson  Felix is the most decorated track and field athlete in U.S. history, with 11 Olympic and 20 World Championships medals.

Felix’s influence goes beyond the track. She is an investor, venture fund advisor, and the founder of Saysh

She serves on the Board of Directors for  For All Mothers+ and Right to Play and partners with Voice in Sport, the Women’s Sports Foundation, and more.

She has fearlessly advocated for increased maternity protections and closing the gender pay gap.

Felix was named to TIME’s “100 Most Influential People of the Year” in 2020 and 2021 and Sports Illustrateds “Unrelenting List.” 

At the 40th Anniversary Luncheon, she will share her journey—from Olympic greatness and entrepreneurship to trailblazing advocacy—with attendees and inspire us to keep pushing for a more equitable future for women, girls, and gender-expansive people.  

Become a Sponsor

Sponsoring the 41st Annual Luncheon is more than a show of support; it is an investment in the future of gender equity. As a community foundation, CFW raises funds to directly support our grantmaking capacity and programs. Our signature annual event allows sponsorship partners to provide critical support while networking with like-minded individuals and gaining critical brand exposure.

As a sponsor, you will help us unleash new possibilities for women, girls, and gender-expansive people across our region. Funds raised at the 40th Annual Luncheon are hard at work, fueling our Rapid Response Fund and preparing for our upcoming grantmaking cycle. CFW’s ability to quickly and effectively deploy these resources is critical to address the urgent and evolving needs of our communities. With your continued partnership, we can advance gender equity and justice throughout the region. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Inaara Sultanali at isultanali@cfw.org.

Sponsorship Opportunities

This highest level of sponsorship includes three premium tables for 30 guests, an opportunity for a senior executive to speak during the event program, and the ability to distribute approved materials at the event. Presenter Sponsors also receive recognition as a VIP Reception host, access for 30 guests to the VIP Reception, and a full-page ad in the Program Book.

This sponsorship level includes two premium tables for 20 guests, an opportunity for a senior executive to speak during the event program, and the ability to distribute approved materials at the event. Title Sponsors also receive access for 20 guests to the VIP Reception and a full-page ad in the Program Book.

This sponsorship includes one reserved table for 10 guests and the option to share approved company materials at the event. Benefactor Sponsors also receive VIP Reception access for 10 guests and a full-page ad in the Program Book.

Action Sponsors receive one reserved table for 10 guests, VIP Reception access for 10 guests, and a half-page ad in the Program Book.

Patron Sponsors receive one reserved table for up to 10 guests, access to the VIP Reception for 10 guests, and a half-page ad in the Program Book.

Leader Sponsors receive one reserved table for up to 10 guests and a half-page ad in the Program Book.

Friend Sponsors receive one reserved table for up to 10 guests and a quarter-page ad in the Program Book.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Thank you to the generous sponsors of the 41st Annual Luncheon who are investing in the future of gender equity across our region.

Benefactor Sponsors

Patron Sponsors

Janice E. Rodgers

Leader Sponsors

Tanya Davis

Valerie Sherman

Friend Sponsors

Donations Over $1,000

Host Committee

Interested in supporting the Luncheon as a Host Committee member? Contact Inaara Sultanali at isultanali@cfw.org (subject line: Host Committee).

Get ready for the 41st Annual Luncheon!

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Date and Location

October 20, 2026

Hilton Chicago
720 South Michigan Avenue

Program

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: VIP Reception*
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Registration & Networking
12:00 – 1:30 PM: Program & Featured Speaker

*By invitation only or  $10,000+ sponsorship