How to Apply

Interested in applying? Check out our Guiding Principles and Frequently Asked Questions to help you determine if your organization and/or project aligns with the core values of Chicago Foundation for Women. If yes, please click here to access our online application system, and pick the funding opportunity that best fits your program/organization's needs.

Grant Opportunities

Primary Cycle: Spring 2023

Due Date: February 6

The Primary Cycle is focused on general operating and program support (both direct service and advocacy) across all three issue areas.

To access our online application system, please click here.

Click here for the full 2023 Spring Primary Cycle Guidelines

Epidemic of Violence: Missing and Murdered Women of Color

Due Date: February 6

Focuses on program and general operating support grants supporting community solutions, interventions, and deeper interrogations to understand the root causes of the on-going epidemic.

Click here for the full 2023 Epidemic of Violence: Missing and Murdered Women of Color Guidelines

Reproductive Justice Champions

Due Date: February 6

CFW’s grant program focused on women of color-led organizations and efforts to build the reproductive justice movement.

Click here for the full 2023 Reproductive Justice Champions Guidelines

North Shore Giving Circle

NSGC will be accepting applications for program or operating support in any of CFW's three issue areas: economic security, freedom from gender-based violence, access to health from organizations working in Cook County, north of the City of Chicago and east of highway 43, and all of Lake County.

Click here for the full 2023 North Shore Giving Circle Guidelines

Western Suburb Giving Circle

Due Date: January 31

WSGC will be accepting applications for program or operating support in any of CFW's three issue areas: economic security, freedom from gender-based violence, access to health from organizations working in the western suburbs.

Click here for the full 2023 Western Suburb Giving Circle Guidelines

Orientation

CFW offers grantmaking orientations to prospective applicants. If your organization would like to learn more about the grantmaking process at CFW, please attend:

Spring 2023 Sessions:

  • Thursday, January 12, 3:00 - 4:30 pm CST
  • Tuesday, January 17, 9:00 - 10:30 am CST

*Sessions will be offered virtually.

To RSVP to attend an orientation session, click here.

Process
Chicago Foundation for Women uses a community-led grantmaking process to review and recommend grants awarded.

The Foundation's Board of Directors reviews all recommendations and approves all grant awards.

Decisions
Final decisions on applications for the Spring Cycles will be made at the June Board of Directors' meeting. Final decisions on applications for the Fall Cycles will be made at the December Board of Directors' meeting.

Questions
Chicago Foundation for Women welcomes questions from applicants at any point before, during, and after the application process. Please contact Lora York, Senior Program Officer, at lyork@cfw.org or 312.577.2814.