Chicago Foundation for Women
Chicago Foundation for Women (CFW) is a public charity based in Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1985. It funds organizations and programs working to advance equity for women, girls, and gender-expansive people, with a focus on economic security and mobility, reproductive justice, freedom from violence, and health and wellness.
Chicago Foundation for Women at a glance
In short: Chicago Foundation for Women gave $3.1M across 149 grants in 2025 (avg $21K), mostly in Illinois. 17% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,074,590
- +10.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 149
- -19.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $20,635
- +36.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $25,963,785
- +1.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (25 of 148, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Chicago Foundation for Women
- Contact
Mailing address: 140 South Dearborn Street 400, Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: (312) 577-2833
Website: https://cfw.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Chicago Foundation for Women
Who Chicago Foundation for Women funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Ba NIA Incorporated ($147K). Together the top 10 received $921K.
Grant Size Distribution
886 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 841 grants of 886 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CFW describes its grantmaking as serving the Chicago region. Its 2024 filing statement identifies Cook, Lake, DuPage, Will, McHenry, and Kane counties as part of the greater Chicago area it supports. In the 2025 filing data, 98% of grant dollars went to Illinois recipients; the largest listed grants were to Chicago organizations.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 149 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Chicago Foundation for Women open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 25 of 148 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $24K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $16K repeat.
- 76% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−4%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.3M (2020) to $3.4M (2023). In 2025 it made 149 grants totaling $3.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ba NIA Incorporated Chicago, IL | General Operating | $147,000 |
| Sista Afya Community Care NFP Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $130,000 |
| Life Is Work Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $118,000 |
| Teamwork Englewood Chicago, IL | 2025 Englewood Womens Initiative | $110,000 |
| Un Nuevo Despertar-a New Awakening Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $110,000 |
| Jane Addams Resource Corporation Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $74,000 |
| Chicago Women in Trades Chicago, IL | Advancing equity and inclusion for women in apprenticeship and employment | $65,000 |
| Everthrive Illinois Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $60,000 |
| Ladies of Virtue Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $54,000 |
| Equal Hope Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $53,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Chicago Foundation for Women?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2025 filing data lists 149 itemized grants. The foundation’s separate statement on its 2024 filing reports 214 grants for fiscal year 2025.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $25,963,785 | $3,266,968 | $6,513,632 | $3,074,590 | 149 | $-922,787 |
| 2024 | $25,617,006 | $6,835,065 | $5,889,259 | $2,784,015 | 184 | $789,730 |
| 2023 | $23,723,909 | $7,924,915 | $6,397,441 | $3,350,100 | 139 | $1,014,229 |
| 2022 | $20,116,109 | $10,062,657 | $6,384,476 | $3,216,300 | 157 | $1,063,207 |
| 2021 | $20,403,643 | $5,080,080 | $5,367,644 | $3,209,500 | 257 | $1,521,529 |
| 2020 | $17,396,463 | $5,591,095 | $4,805,526 | $2,302,300 | 151 | $482,196 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
CFW’s stated mission is to invest in bold ideas, grassroots leadership, and local organizations dismantling barriers for women, girls, and gender-expansive people so that equity is possible and permanent.
Its four impact areas are expanding economic security and mobility; advancing reproductive justice; advancing freedom from violence; and improving access to health and wellness. The foundation’s grant principles also address whether organizations are intentionally designed to benefit women and girls, support reproductive justice, reflect the communities they serve, provide disability access, and offer an inclusive and respectful environment for LGBTQ people.
Examples of grantees illustrate the range of work supported. BA Nia Inc says it provides culturally relevant prenatal and postnatal services, including for women of color and LGBTQ+ communities. Sista Afya Community Care says it builds sustainable mental wellness communities through affordable, culturally centered services and education. Chicago Women in Trades says it works to increase women’s participation in skilled trades and other blue-collar occupations. EverThrive Illinois says it works toward reproductive justice in healthcare through community partnerships, policy action, and systems change.
Grantmaking
The 2025 filing data lists 149 itemized grants totaling $3,074,590. Awards ranged from $1,000 to $147,000, with a median of $15,000. The foundation’s statement on its 2024 filing separately reports that in fiscal year 2025 it invested $3,075,590 through 214 grants supporting 150 organizations.
Among the largest itemized grants in the 2025 filing were $147,000 to BA Nia Inc, $130,000 to Sista Afya Community Care NFP, $118,000 to Life Is Work, $110,000 to Teamwork Englewood, and $110,000 to Un Nuevo Despertar–A New Awakening. Listed purposes included general operating support and the 2025 Englewood Women’s Initiative.
The grants page says applications for the fall primary cycle are closed. The foundation’s 2026–2029 strategic plan overview says it planned to share new grantmaking guidelines and opportunities in summer 2026; the provided information does not give application instructions or a deadline.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jessica Sohl as board chair, Tanya G. Davis as treasurer, Gretchen Wolf as secretary, and Ann Marie Wright as immediate past chair. It also lists Angela Putnam, Naila Alexander, Joan Bacon, Alicia C. L. Bailey, Rebecca Brokmeier (through September 2024), and Deborah B. Cole as directors.
Chicago Foundation for Women is led by Sunny Fischer, Interim CEO on every filing since 2024; 5 of 30 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sunny Fischer
Interim CEO
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$32K (2024) → $0 (2025)
Keenya Lambert
President & CEO
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$119K (2025)
Jessica Sohl
Board Chair
Director → Chair - Elect, 2023
Chair - Elect → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lora York
Director of Programs
Senior Program Officer → Director of Programs, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$100K (2023) → $131K (2025)
Betty Sanchez
Director of Finance
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$107K (2025)
Ilda Lagunas
Director of Donor & Community Engagement
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$122K (2025)
Wendy Vega-Huezo
Director of Human Resources
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$116K (2025)
Anita Mital
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deborah B. Cole
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joan Bacon
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Regina Cross
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan M. Kurowski
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erica Duncan
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alicia C. L. Bailey
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Angela L. Putnam
Director
Director → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Georgina E. Heard-Labonne
Director
Vice Chair & Advocacy Committee → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jill Lyons
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Densham
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Norman B. Jones
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Brokmeier
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Lonigro
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Fraya Lynn Hirschberg
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Naila Alexander
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anita Ponder
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gail Arthurs Krahenbuhl
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George Kraniotis
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Mota
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann Marie Wright
Immediate Past Chair
Chair-Elect → Chair, 2023
Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gretchen Wolf
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tanya G. Davis
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (30)
- Former: Felicia Blakley (2022–2024) — President & CEO
- Former: Allison Clark (2020–2023) — Chair Appointment
- Former: Carmen Awadzi (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Kathleen McDonald (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Keri Holleb Hotaling (2020–2023) — Vice Chair & Program Committee
- Former: Linda Wagner (2020–2023) — Chief Operating Officer
- Former: Michael Narciso (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Silvia Rivera (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Jessyca Dudley (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Adolfo Hernandez (2023) — Director
- Former: Anel Ruiz (2023) — Senior Vice President
- Former: Jessi Moon (2023) — Chief Development Officer
- Former: Kelly Smith Haley (2023) — Director
- Former: Scheagbe Grisby (2023) — Chief of Staff
- Former: Adela Cepeda (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Georgina Heard (2020–2022) — Vice Chair & Advocacy Committee
- Former: Kelly Smith-Haley (2020–2022) — Chair
- Former: Marie Osadjan (2020–2022) — Vice Chair & Resource Development
- Former: Munira Patel (2020–2022) — Vice Chair & Hr Committee
- Former: Tina Manikas (2020–2022) — Vice Chair & Communications Committee
- Former: Valerie Colletti (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kelly Norton (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Lasaia Wade (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Toi Hutchinson (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Felicia Davis (2020–2021) — President & CEO
- Former: Sarah Hurwit Gomel (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Emily Dreke (2021) — Chief Development Officer
- Former: Harlene Ellin (2020) — Director
- Former: James Alexander (2020) — Director
- Former: Patricia Slovak (2020) — Officer & Past Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $131K, to Lora York (Director of Programs). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Chicago Foundation for Women
How much does Chicago Foundation for Women give each year?
Chicago Foundation for Women gave $3.1M across 149 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.8M across 184 grants.
What is Chicago Foundation for Women's typical grant size?
Chicago Foundation for Women's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $20,635, across 149 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Chicago Foundation for Women that year got $6K on average.
Where does Chicago Foundation for Women give grants?
Chicago Foundation for Women gives mostly in Illinois: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (120 grants), New York, NY (3 grants), Evanston, IL (2 grants) and Park Ridge, IL (2 grants).
Does Chicago Foundation for Women give general operating support?
Yes: 77% of Chicago Foundation for Women's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (115 of 149) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Chicago Foundation for Women's largest grantees?
Chicago Foundation for Women's largest 2025 grantees include Ba NIA Incorporated ($147,000), Sista Afya Community Care NFP ($130,000) and Life Is Work ($118,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Chicago Foundation for Women?
Chicago Foundation for Women reported $26.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.3M.
What does Chicago Foundation for Women fund?
CFW’s stated mission is to invest in bold ideas, grassroots leadership, and local organizations dismantling barriers for women, girls, and gender-expansive people so that equity is possible and permanent. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Chicago Foundation for Women?
Chicago Foundation for Women has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check cfw.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Chicago Foundation for Women's EIN?
Chicago Foundation for Women's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3348160. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 18, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 22, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 21, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Chicago Foundation for Women funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/chicago-foundation-for-women-morg_e97f7976154a4c79809bd498371313b2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363348160_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Chicago Foundation for Women funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/chicago-foundation-for-women-morg_e97f7976154a4c79809bd498371313b2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Chicago Foundation for Women's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Chicago Foundation for Women down — hundreds of funders to go?