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). The 2025–2026 cycle membership deadline is November 7, 2025.
- 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? For more information about the Young Women’s Giving Council, please fill out the Giving Circles and Councils Interest Form here.