Western Suburbs Giving Circle
Who We Are
The Western Suburbs Giving Circle (WSGC) of Chicago Foundation for Women (CFW) consists of members who combine our funds to leverage the power of collective gifts to nonprofits primarily residing in Chicago’s Western Suburbs which invest in the economic, social, and political power of women and girls in those communities of metropolitan Chicago. WSGC closely adheres to CFW’s guiding principles of gender and racial equity.
Our purpose, aligned with CFW, is to distribute annual grants that predominantly benefit women and girls while simultaneously increasing investment in women’s health and reproductive justice, economic well-being, and safety from violence. Our reference to “women and girls” includes all persons who choose to present themselves as female, as well as individuals who identify as trans and gender non-binary.
Since our first grantmaking cycle in 2016, we’ve grown our membership and have invested over $280,000 in the health, safety, and economic security of women, girls, trans, and gender non-binary individuals in the Western Suburbs.
2025 – 2026 Co-Chairs
Kendra Hyett and Julie Olafson
Who We Support
The Western Suburbs Giving Circle invests in organizations providing direct service and advocacy for women and girls in our community around the issues of economic security and freedom from violence.
In nine years, we have awarded over $280,000 to local organizations such as:
FY25 Grantees: $35,000 total awarded
- Cicero Independiente
- HOPE Fair Housing Center
- Illinois Alliance for Reentry and Justice
- Immigrant Solidarity DuPage
- The Firehouse Dream
FY24 Grantees:
FY23 Grantees:
How It Works
- Membership is on a fiscal year basis (July 1–June 30). Membership for fiscal year 2027 opens on July 1, 2026. For more information about the Western Suburbs Giving Circle, please fill out the Member Interest Form here. The deadline to become a member of the Western Suburbs Giving Circle is November 30, 2026.
- Members make an annual contribution that supports the Western Suburbs Giving Circle’s collective grantmaking. Membership levels include both General and Junior Membership to meet members where they are. Both memberships are payable in installments. Junior Membership* is an annual gift of $500. General Membership is an annual gift of $1,000.
- All members participate in the Western Suburbs Giving Circle grantmaking process, a cooperative effort to select the recipients of grants. Members choose their level of involvement, which can include identifying eligible organizations for funding, reviewing and discussing applications, participating in meetings and social events, conducting local site visits, and voting on grants each cycle.
- The Western Suburbs Giving Circle’s grantmaking year begins in the fall.
- Meetings 6–8 times per year, occurring monthly during the grantmaking cycles (in-person and/or virtual), plus social events.
- Grantmaking occurs in the fall and spring, with funding being awarded in June.
Membership Benefits
WSGC is a place for members to engage and be a part of a community of women that addresses needs and increases opportunities for women and girls in the communities in which they live and work. Help a woman, help a family. Help a girl, empower the next generation. Women invest back in their communities when they are lifted up.
WSGC offers the opportunity for hands-on, collaborative philanthropy:
- Meet local leaders who work daily to improve women and girls’ lives.
- Hear interesting speakers and visit innovative organizations in our area.
- Learn how to be a philanthropic leader by becoming a Chicago Foundation for Women community member.
- Be inspired to support women and girls that help uplift entire communities. Be a witness to lives changed for the better.
Contact
Interested in becoming a member? Membership for fiscal year 2027 opens on July 1, 2026.
For more information about the Western Suburbs Giving Circle, please fill out the Giving Councils and Circles Member Interest Form here. The deadline to become a member of the Western Suburbs Giving Circle is November 30, 2026.