Young Women’s Giving Council
Who We Are
The Young Women’s Giving Council powers transformational change towards an equitable and just society by investing in community-based organizations that center the experiences of BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) girls, young women, and trans and gender non-binary young people in the Chicago region through a community-led approach.
We envision a Chicago region where all future generations have the opportunity to live just, prosperous, resilient, and sustainable lives.
We are a group of women, trans, and gender non-binary people in our 20s and 30s. Bringing together young professionals and emerging leaders, we represent a spectrum of experience, united by a shared commitment to philanthropy and the communities we fund.
2025 – 2026 Co-Chairs
Julie Jaskierski, Vianey Dominguez, Sarah Menke, Chandni Dubal
Who We Support
The impact of our work is strong! We have awarded grants totaling over $210,000 since 2008.
FY25 Grantees: $16,000 total awarded
FY24 Grantees: $6,500 total awarded
FY23 Grantees: $10,000 total awarded
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 Young Women’s Giving Council, please fill out the Member Interest Form here. The deadline to become a member of the Young Women’s Giving Council is November 30, 2026.
- Meets monthly.
- 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 with your peers on the Council which programs to fund.
- See the impact of your giving as funded programs share with membership accomplishments that were made possible by the Council’s grants.
- Develop new personal and professional relationships with like-minded women.
- Learn from trainings, workshops and conversations on philanthropy, women in philanthropy, issues and needs of women, how organizations are serving women, and trends and gaps in funding.
Member Responsibilities
- Make an annual contribution between $100–$400, choosing from a variety of options to make payments affordable.
- Participate in group and individual fundraising. This may include 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 young women and girls in the Chicago region.
Contact
Interested in becoming a member? Membership for fiscal year 2027 opens on July 1, 2026.
For more information about the Young Women’s Giving Council, please fill out the Giving Councils and Circles Member Interest Form here. The deadline to become a member of the Young Women’s Giving Council is November 30, 2026.
Are you an organization interested in receiving funding? Please fill out the Giving Councils and Circles Funding Interest Form here.