Woods Fund of Chicago
Woods Fund Chicago is a private grantmaking foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, committed to advancing social, economic, and racial justice. Established in 1994 as the Chicago successor to the Woods Charitable Fund (created in 1941 by members of the Woods family), the foundation partners with communities to fight structural racism and economic injustice through support of community organizing, coalition building, and public policy advocacy.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$5.6M
+28.7% YoY
Grant Count
120
+22.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$46K
+5.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Woods Fund Chicago seeks to help create a society where people of all racial and ethnic groups—across all levels of social and economic status—are empowered and have a voice to influence policies that impact their daily lives, and where all communities are free of poverty and racism.
The foundation approaches all facets of its work with a foundation of racial justice, committed to funding community organizing and public policy advocacy that advances racial equity and economic justice. The foundation firmly believes that people most impacted by structural racism and economic injustice should lead the process of defining problems and developing solutions.
Core beliefs:
- Structural racism is a root cause of many challenges facing communities and a significant barrier to eradicating poverty
- Community organizing and public policy advocacy efforts lead to comprehensive, authentic, relevant, and sustainable solutions
- Systemic change is the only way to eradicate poverty and structural racism
- Communities have greater strength, authority, and power through collaborative practice and collective voice
Grantmaking
Woods Fund Chicago distributes over $4 million annually to grantee partners engaged in racial and economic justice work.
Review Cycle
July 10 (based on most recent available information)
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Woods Fund Chicago primarily funds organizations in the Chicago metropolitan area, with particular focus on the city proper and some consideration of other cities in Cook County, Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $40,291,311
- Total Revenue: $3,172,723
- Total Expenses: $8,615,032
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Total Giving: $5,573,000
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since December 1993
- EIN: 36-3917968
- Classified as a Private Foundation (NTEE code T20)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Woods Fund of Chicago
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Michelle Morales serves as President of Woods Fund Chicago.
The foundation employs 7 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWRENCE ANTON SEALS JR | CHAIR | 1 | $2,800 |
| ALICE KIM | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| MONICA HARRIS | SECRETARY | 1 | $5,000 |
| MATTHEW REILEIN | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| DR LOURDES TORRES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KIMBERLY RUDD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STACEY SUTTON | DIRECTOR | 1 | $5,000 |
| MICHELLE MORALES | PRESIDENT | 40 | $272,744 |
| DEBORAH D CLARK | ASST. SECRETARY, GRANTS & OPS MANAGER | 40 | $131,036 |
| JOSE OLIVA | DIRECTOR | 1 | $5,000 |
| QUINN RALLINS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $2,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In July 2024, Woods Fund Chicago announced its first multiyear grants, marking a significant shift in grantmaking approach.
July 2024 // Announcing Woods Fund Chicago\u2019s First Multiyear Grants\In October 2024, the foundation released its biannual report documenting $7.5 million funded to 96 grantee partners during 2022-23.
October 2024 // Read Our Biannual Report: $7.5M Funded to 96 Grantee Partners\In January 2026, Woods Fund Chicago published "Fuel for the Future," highlighting grantee victories from 2025.
July 2024 // Announcing Woods Fund Chicago\u2019s First Multiyear Grants\The foundation continues to expand its grantmaking and deepen partnerships with community-based organizations advancing racial and economic justice in Chicago.
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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