41st Annual Luncheon
41st Annual Luncheon
Chicago Foundation for Women’s Annual Luncheon is the Foundation’s flagship fundraising event and the largest women-focused gathering in Chicago, drawing close to 2,000 attendees from across the region to invest in building safe, just, and healthy communities for women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals. It celebrates the impact of CFW and its grantees while inspiring continued support for gender equity.
We will gather on October 20, 2026, at the Hilton Chicago to honor the people and partnerships that brought us here and to fuel what comes next for gender equity in Chicago. 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 and the largest women-focused gathering in Chicago, drawing close to 2,000 attendees from across the region to invest in building safe, just, and healthy communities for women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals. It celebrates the impact of CFW and its grantees while inspiring continued support for gender equity.
We will gather on October 20, 2026, at the Hilton Chicago to honor the people and partnerships that brought us here and to fuel what comes next for gender equity in Chicago. 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 Illustrated’s “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’s 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 Anniversary 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 addressing 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.
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!
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 and Networking
12:00 – 1:30 PM: Program and Featured Speaker
*By invitation only or $10,000+ sponsorship