LBTQ Giving Council
Who We Are
We mobilize resources and support for, and invest in, community-based organizations that are advancing the gender, racial, and economic equity of LGBTQIA+ girls, womxn, and gender non-binary people in the Chicago region.
We represent a community of lesbian, bisexual, and queer women, femme, trans, and gender non-binary individuals who are engaged in community-based philanthropy. We are committed to advancing economic security, freedom from violence, and access to healthcare and information for LGBTQIA+ people. Furthermore, as an identity-based fund, we intend to be a reflection of the communities we seek to serve through our membership, collective fundraising, and grantmaking efforts.
2025 – 2026 Co-Chairs
Gabby Kreszchuk, Lindsey Clark, Taryn Beaudoin
Who We Support
We have awarded nearly $300,000 to organizations serving LBTQ folks in the Chicago region since 2004.
FY25 Grantees: $34,000 total awarded
FY24 Grantees: $30,000 total awarded
FY23 Grantees: $11,000 total awarded
How It Works
- Membership is on a fiscal year basis (July 1–June 30).
- Meets monthly (virtual until further notice).
- Events are scheduled and organized by members.
- Grantmaking occurs in the winter and spring, with funding being awarded in June.
- You choose your level of participation.
Member Benefits
- Amplify your giving by leveraging your dollars with those of other members.
- Give voice to the issues affecting the women and girls in your community by deciding which programs to fund with your peers on the Council.
- See the impact of your giving as funded programs share with membership accomplishments made possible by the Council’s grants.
- Develop new personal and professional relationships with like-minded folks.
- Learn from trainings, workshops, and conversations on philanthropy, women in philanthropy, women’s issues and needs, how organizations serve women, and trends and gaps in funding.
Member Responsibilities
- Make an annual contribution of at least $100 with various options to make payments affordable including a $10/month plan.
- Participate in group and individual fundraising, including soliciting donors, sponsors, and in-kind contributions, serving on an events committee, or recruiting members.
- Participate in the Giving Council grantmaking process, a cooperative effort to select the recipients of grants. This may include identifying organizations and programs to fund, reviewing proposals, conducting site visits, and voting on grant recommendations.
- Provide good stewardship and thought partnership to the Council with your active and positive participation. This may include attending meetings or contributing to discussions about fundraising and grantmaking.
- Connect Chicago Foundation for Women with organizations and stakeholders doing work on behalf of women and girl-identified people in the LBTQ communities in the Chicago region.
Contact
Interested in becoming a member? For more information about the LBTQ Giving Council, please fill out the Giving Circles and Councils Interest Form here.