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Interested in Applying?

Check out our What We Fund and FAQs to determine if your organization and/or project aligns with CFW's core values. If yes, click below to access our application, and pick the funding opportunity that best fits your program/organization's needs.
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What We Fund
Grant FAQs

Grant Opportunities

Primary Cycle: Spring 2023

Due Date: February 6
The Primary Cycle is focused on general operating and program support (both direct service and advocacy) across all three issue areas.  Apply Here

Click here for the full 2023 Spring Primary Cycle Guidelines

Epidemic of Violence: Missing and Murdered Women of Color

Due Date: February 6
Focuses on program and general operating support grants supporting community solutions, interventions, and deeper interrogations to understand the root causes of the on-going epidemic.  Apply Here

Click here for the full 2023 Spring Primary Cycle Guidelines

Reproductive Justice Champions

Due Date: February 6
CFW’s grant program focused on women of color-led organizations and efforts to build the reproductive justice movement.  Apply Here

Click here for the full 2023 Reproductive Justice Champions Guidelines

North Shore Giving Circle

Due Date: January 31
NSGC will be accepting applications for program or operating support in any of CFW’s three issue areas: economic security, freedom from gender-based violence, access to health from organizations working in Cook County, north of the City of Chicago and east of highway 43, and all of Lake County.  Apply Here

Click here for the full 2023 North Shore Giving Circle Guidelines

Western Suburbs Giving Circle

Due Date: January 31
WSGC will be accepting applications for program or operating support in any of CFW’s three issue areas: economic security, freedom from gender-based violence, access to health from organizations working in the western suburbs.  Apply Here

Click here for the full 2023 Western Suburb Giving Circle Guidelines

Englewood Women’s Initiative

Due Date: April 21
The Primary Cycle is focused on general operating and program support (both direct service and advocacy) across all three issue areas.  Apply Here

Guidelines and application will be open March 6.

Orientation

Spring 2023 Sessions (Virtual)

CFW offers grantmaking orientations to prospective applicants. If your organization would like to learn more about the grantmaking process at CFW, please attend: RSVP Here

  • Thursday, January 12, 3:00 – 4:30 pm CST
  • Tuesday, January 17, 9:00 – 10:30 am CST

Process

Chicago Foundation for Women uses a community-led grantmaking process to review and recommend grants awarded.

The Foundation’s Board of Directors reviews all recommendations and approves all grant awards.

Decisions

Final decisions on applications for the Spring Cycles will be made at the June Board of Directors’ meeting. Final decisions on applications for the Fall Cycles will be made at the December Board of Directors’ meeting.

Contact

Chicago Foundation for Women welcomes questions from applicants at any point before, during, and after the application process. Please contact Lora York, Senior Program Officer, at lyork@cfw.org or 312.577.2814.