CHICAGO— In celebration of its 40th Anniversary, Chicago Foundation for Women (CFW) is proud to unveil the recipients of its Founders’ Fund, a one-time $400,000 fund that will award $100,000 each to four CFW grantee organizations. Honoring the vision of CFW’s Founding Mothers, this initiative economic security, reproductive justice, access to health, and freedom from violence for women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals.
The 2025 Founders’ Fund Honorees are:
- Ba Nia Incorporated (Lucia Woods Lindley Reproductive Justice Award): Providing culturally relevant, holistic health services to women of color and LGBTQ+ communities, regardless of income.
- Life Is Work (Iris J. Krieg Economic Security Award): A trans-led organization educating and organizing TLGBQ+ individuals to secure safety, wellness, and justice.
- Sista Afya Community Care (Marjorie Craig Benton Access to Health Award): Creating sustainable mental wellness communities through affordable, culturally centered care and education.
- Un Nuevo Despertar – A New Awakening (Sunny Fischer Freedom from Violence Award): Offering survivors of domestic violence programs focused on intervention, prevention, and comprehensive support.
“The Founders’ Fund embodies the essence of CFW’s mission—investing in transformative work that envisions a future where women, girls, and gender-expansive people can thrive,” said Keenya Lambert, President and CEO of CFW. “These organizations exemplify the collective power of community-driven solutions, and it’s a privilege to honor them during this milestone year.”
The awards will be formally presented at the 2025 Impact Awards on March 20, 2025, at the Harold Washington Library Winter Garden. This year’s theme, “A Legacy of Leadership, A Future of Equity,” celebrates four decades of advocacy, grantmaking, and leadership development, while honoring the visionaries shaping a more just and equitable future.
Sunny Fischer, one of CFW’s Founding Mothers said, “CFW’s legacy lies in supporting leaders, taking bold risks, and trusting grassroots organizations that truly understand their communities’ needs,” Fischer added. “Together, I believe we will amplify this work for the next 40 years and beyond.”
For more information about tickets and this year’s honorees, visit www.cfw.org/events
About Chicago Foundation for Women
Chicago Foundation for Women (CFW) works to improve the lives of women, girls, and gender-expansive people through grantmaking, leadership development, and education. Since 1985, CFW has invested over $50 million through more than 5,000 grants to organizations across the Chicago region, focusing on economic security, freedom from violence, access to health services, and advancing reproductive justice. CFW also supports emerging organizations by fostering leadership and building sustainable nonprofit infrastructure. By investing in women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals, CFW helps catalyze stronger, more equitable communities for all. For more information, visit cfw.org.
Media Contact: Kandice Head – khead@cfw.org, 312-577-2824