In a recent year, the Chicago Foundation for Women (CFW) worked with almost 3,000 donors and partners to fund over 160 projects and serve more than 70,000 women, girls, transgender people and gender non-binary people in the Chicago area. It does this in various ways, but one of CFW’s most popular philanthropic models is the giving circle. This foundation hosts no less than three giving circles, plus three additional giving councils to achieve its grantmaking aims.
Here’s a brief look at these different giving circles and councils, to guide Chicago grantseekers to potential sources of funding.
North Shore Giving Circle
The North Shore Giving Circle has granted over $470,000 to local organizations and keeps its geographic focus on the northern suburbs of Chicago, including northern Cook County and Lake County. It requires members to make minimum donations of at least $1,000 per year. Gender and racial equity are priorities for this circle, and annual grantmaking is usually between $40,000 and $60,000. Recent grantees include the Fenix Family Health Center, North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic and Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse.
South Side Giving Circle
Down on the other side of Chicago, the South Side Giving Circle supports community initiatives led by women of color that benefit Black women and girls on the city’s South Side and southern suburbs. Unlike the North Shore Giving Circle, the minimum donation here is just $500 per year. The South Side Giving Circle has awarded more than $83,600 since 2018. Recent grantees include Black Girls Break Bread, Brave Space Alliance and A Long Walk Home.
Western Suburbs Giving Circle
The third CFW giving circle is the Western Suburbs Giving Circle, which specifically centers its work on economic security and freedom from violence, with the city’s western suburbs in focus. In the group’s first six years, it awarded nearly $175,000 to nine local nonprofits. Past grantees are the DuPage Early Childhood Collaborative, Styles for Kidz and Family Shelter Service.
LBTQ Giving Council
In addition to its three giving circles, CFW also has three giving councils, one of which is the LBTQ Giving Council. This group provides grants to organizations and programs that benefit lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning women and girls across the Chicago region. Specific interests are access to healthcare and information, freedom from violence and economic security. It has awarded approximately 60 grants totaling nearly $190,000, including grants to One Roof Chicago and Affinity Community Service.
Women United Giving Council
Through the Women United Giving Council, CFW supports BIPOC women, trans and gender non-binary people in the region. It’s run by members of the former African-American, Asian-American and Latina leadership councils of Chicago. Members make annual gifts of at least $250 to be part of this council and meet monthly. Masjid Al-Rabia and Black Girls Break Bread are local organizations that have received this council’s grants recently.
Young Women’s Giving Council
CFW also has a Young Women’s Giving Council that aims to build a network of young women interested in philanthropy. This group is made up of young professionals who are committed to social change and want to learn more about becoming leaders and philanthropists. The council has been operating since 2008 and has awarded at least 36 grants totaling over $166,000 since that time. Past grantees are the Sex Workers Outreach Program, Gyrls in the HOOD Foundation and Girls Like Me Project, Inc.