What We Fund

Chicago Foundation for Women funds organizations and programs in three issue areas: economic security, freedom from violence and access to health.

Economic Security

We seek to expand economic security to all women and girls so that they can care for themselves and their families in all stages of life.

Program priorities are to:

  • Support job training, post secondary education, and life skills necessary to secure and keep a job, earn a living wage, and seek opportunities for advancement
  • Expand women’s equal opportunity in employment, including work/life balance policies, pay equity, and inclusion in traditionally male trades
  • Advance public policies to prevent and end poverty
  • Preserve, support, and improve public safety-net programs, including food stamps, childcare subsidies, affordable housing, transportation assistance, state and federal Earned Income Tax Credits, Medicaid, and Medicare
  • Protect and support young women’s and girls’ educational inclusion and achievement

Freedom from Violence

We are dedicated to expanding women’s and girls’ freedom from violence in all its forms, including family violence, child and elder abuse, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, prostitution and trafficking.

Program priorities are to:

  • Advance comprehensive violence prevention strategies and policies
  • Improve the response of society’s systems, including the courts, law enforcement, education, health care, and other service providers
  • Increase the coordination of services for survivors of violence
  • Increase public understanding of the issues with the intention of ending violence against women and girls
  • Involve men and boys in efforts to end violence against women
  • Support survivors in underserved communities, including LBTQ, older, and immigrant women

Access to Health Services and Information

We are committed to enhancing women’s and girls’ access to high-quality health services and information related to mental, physical, preventive, and reproductive health.

Program priorities are to:

  • Address the wellness needs of an aging population of women and their families
  • Advocate for reproductive justice
  • Expand responsible sexual health education programs
  • Provide culturally competent health services and information to diverse populations