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CFW-GoWomen-Newsletter

GoWomen:From Keenya Lambert, President and CEO

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August 7, 2024

Birthdays are often a suitable time to reflect on the past, present, and future. On my birthday, I am sharing my CFW story.  

It has been two months since my first day as President and CEO of Chicago Foundation for Women. I am honored to lead an organization with a mission to ensure that all women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals live in a safe world, where they can reach their full potential.
 
However, my journey with CFW began long before I took on this role. Like many of the Foundation’s stakeholders, my introduction began with an invitation to attend one of CFW’s iconic Annual Luncheons. During that event, I witnessed the incredible work of the Foundation and saw a community and movement that supports open dialogue, shares values and uplifts community voices. It is a movement that is accessible and accountable to everyone.
 
Over the years, I continued to attend the Annual Luncheon as one of my favorite events each year while also becoming a grantee of the Foundation. The capacity building provided to my team and the additional funding through the donor advised funds was invaluable to the organization.
 
During Black History Month in February 2023, I joined CFW’s South Side Giving Circle as my personal philanthropic commitment to supporting Black-led initiatives on Chicago’s South Side. As a member, I had a first-hand experience of CFW’s mission at work. Along with other members, we raised funds to support organizations on the South Side. We listened, learned, and worked together to bring much-needed resources to small grassroots organizations. 
 
It was fascinating to watch how the Giving Circles/Councils funded new community-based organizations and CFW amplified the work by giving additional funding through its annual grantmaking cycle. As a Giving Circle member, we are making critical investments and building safe and healthy communities for all women and girls on the South Side of Chicago. A place that I call home and that made me who I am today. 
 
When the opportunity to lead Chicago Foundation for Women arose, I saw the possibility of an intersection between my professional experience in the nonprofit sector and the continuation of my philanthropic commitment. The more I learned about CFW’s Whole Story, the more I understood the impact we can have on women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals. It started with four women – Sunny Fischer, Iris Krieg, Marjorie Benton, and Lucia Woods Lindley – who believed that everyone has the right to feel safe, make informed health decisions, and pursue their dreams. They worked with many stakeholders to invest in innovative solutions, bring women’s issues to the forefront to increase resources, and empower women and girls.
 
In the past two months, I have had the privilege of working closely with our founding mothers and some of the many stakeholders that make up CFW’s network and community. I have heard of the great strides in women’s rights since the founding of CFW 39 years ago, but I have also heard of the needs. I recognize this is a critical time and I can assure you that we will be unrelenting in our pursuit of women’s rights at a time when our progress is being eroded.
 
We know that the challenges facing our community are complex and interconnected. For too long, women’s rights have not been prioritized; thus, creating violence in our communities, a lack of economic mobility, poor access to health care, and a lack of autonomy over our reproductive rights. This is our collective story. That is why CFW invests in organizations and programs that look at the removal of barriers impacting the lives of women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals. 
 
I understand that these challenges are not unique to our region. I want you to know that I am deeply committed to spreading awareness about CFW’s work, experiences, and challenges beyond our region, and to highlighting the stories of our grantees. It is important to us to collaborate with communities beyond our state and country, so that together, we can nurture a movement that empowers everyone, promotes open dialogue, values inclusivity, and uplifts the voices of our community.
 
I also urge you to join us at CFW’s Annual Luncheon, The Whole Story, scheduled for September 16, 2024, at The Hilton Chicago. I cannot think of a better place to meet and join those who, like me, make up CFW’s Whole Story. Join us as Lisa Ling takes the stage and shares the importance of sharing our stories.
 
In the meantime, please know that I am committed to ensuring we keep listening and learning from your stories. Thanks to the thousands of supporters and community partners across the region, we look forward to seeing you at the luncheon as you begin or continue to build your story!
 
In partnership,

 Keenya Lambert
President and CEO
Chicago Foundation for Women

Events

CFW's 39th Annual Luncheon

The Annual Luncheon is a powerful fundraising event for Chicago Foundation for Women, inspiring us to continue leading, connecting, and uplifting individuals and organizations that support the basic rights of women and girls. This event celebrates our achievements and those of our grantees and raises over $ 1 million for grantmaking and programs.  Tickets now available.

Young Women's Giving Council Friend-raiser

The Young Women’s Giving Council invites you to our Friend-raiser event! Come connect with like-minded women, learn about our mission, and discover how you can make a difference in our community. Bring a friend and be part of something impactful. Let’s empower young women together!

Western Suburbs Giving Circle Fall Kickoff Cocktails for a Cause

The Western Suburbs Giving Circle of Chicago Foundation for Women invites current and prospective members to kick off another year of grantmaking at their “Cocktails for a Cause” event. Join us in laying the groundwork for increasing investment in women’s health, economic well-being, and safety from violence throughout the western suburbs. Sign up today.

Giving Councils and Circles Kickoff Event

Chicago Foundation for Women invites current and prospective members of our four city-based Giving Circles and Councils to kickoff another cycle of grantmaking! Join us at Provisio (325 N. Wells St., Suite 100) on Thursday, October 17 at 5:30 pm to lay the groundwork for increasing investment in organizations serving women, girls, trans, and gender non-binary individuals in Chicago. Register today.

Joint Grantee Celebration: South Side and West Side Giving Circles

Both the South Side Giving Circle and West Side Giving Circles will be coming together to acknowledge our partners who received grant and leadership awards from both circles in 2024. Register today.

Our News

CFW’s President and CEO Keenya Lambert held her first board meeting. Thank you to the board members who attended in person in virtually. We appreicate your passion, intellect, insight, experience and the resources you bring to the table.  Special thanks to board member Gretchen M. Wolf for hosting. 

Congratulations to CFW’s Founder Marjorie Benton who celebrated her birthday last month!

The LBTQ Giving Council of Chicago Foundation for Women celebrated its year of giving. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the council! The council supports organizations and programs that benefit lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, non-binary and questioning women and girls in the Chicago region. 

The South Side Giving Circle of Chicago Foundation for Women kicked off their Salon Series. Thank you to guest speaker Larvetta L. Loftin for facilitating the discussion on leadership and wellness. 

The West Side Giving Circle at Chicago Foundation for Women met @The Hatchery Chicago to celebrate another year of grantmaking. Thank you to outgoing co-chairs Corliss Garner, Chartise Clark, Claudette Baker for their leadership!

The members of the Western Suburbs Giving Circle had their celebration dinner at Antico Posto in Oakbrook to close out their giving cycle. Congratulations on another year of grantmaking!

Our Community

Congratulations to the Invisible Institute on their two Pulitzer Prizes. 

Congratulations to the Invisible Institute for their two Pulitzer Prizes: The Invisible Institute was awarded two Pulitzer Prizes. The team behind “You didn’t see Nothin” – Yohance Lacour, Sarah Geis, Erisa Apantaku, Dana Brozost-Kellher, and Bill Healy, with editorial support from Alison Flowers and Jamies Kalven – won the Pulitzer Prize for Audio Reporting. And Trina Reynolds-Tyler and Sarah Conway of City Bureau were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting for their series Missing in Chicago. You can read more about each awards here: You Didn’t See Nothin – Missing in Chicago. On behalf of our partner organizations and the communities we serve, we thank you for bringing attention to the everyday experiences of our communities.

COFI is hiring!

COFI is looking for experienced organizers for a range of positions. At least 2 years of organizing experience is required, and COFI is particularly looking for staff with 3-5 years of organizing experience. To learn more visit here.

Community Resources

Support Minority and Women-Owned Businesses

Search by various criteria the City of Chicago minority and women-owned businesses here.
Bossy Chicago has curated a list of women-owned businesses in various sectors across Chicago, which you can find here.
YShop – YWCA Metro Chicago’s online store, offering a curated selection of goods and services with a portion of each sale benefiting YWCA

Mental Health Resources

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has compiled a list of mental health resources you can find here.
2-1-1 Metro Chicago Hotline

211 Metro Chicago is a free resource connecting all Cook County residents with essential health and social services to help them meet their basic needs. Trained, local specialists are available 24/7 to connect individuals with the support they need, such as food, housing, utility assistance, access to health care, and other vital resources. Learn more here.

Give justice. Give health. Give safety. 

Your donation can transform lives. Including your own. 

 
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