Grant Guidelines

We are pleased that you are interested in applying for a grant from the Jewish Women's Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago. Before you proceed with a Letter of Intent, please familiarize yourself with the following guidelines, which may impact your eligibility and potential funding and assist you with the application process.

Mission Statement

The Jewish Women’s Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago seeks to expand and improve opportunities and choices in all aspects of Jewish women and girls’ lives through strategic and effective grant-making.  The Jewish Women’s Foundation endeavors to empower women as funders and decision makers.

General Considerations

• JWF funds with a "gender lens" and a "Jewish lens." We are interested in projects that recognize that Jewish women and girls have unique needs both because of their gender and their religious and cultural heritage.
• JWF funds projects which improve the status of Jewish women and girls overall by addressing the root causes of the challenges faced by Jewish women and girls.  This differs from traditional philanthropy because we seek to create systemic change (i.e. developing women leaders, changing laws, practices and cultural traditions to provide greater equality for Jewish women and girls) instead of aiding in the alleviation of symptoms (i.e. food for the hungry, medicine for the sick, shelter for the homeless) of society’s ills.
• JWF considers your organization's overall support of women and girls, as well as the specific project or program for which you are seeking a grant. This includes the extent to which Jewish women and girls are included among your leadership and in key staff positions.

Eligibility and Restrictions

• We fund only organizations with their own status as a 501(c) 3 public charity or with a fiscal agent that is a 501(c) 3 public charity.
• We prioritize initiatives in the Chicago metropolitan area. However, we will consider proposals concerning Jewish women and girls in Israel and around the world.
• We do not fund political campaigns or organizations such as PACS.
• We do not make loans, award scholarships/tuition reimbursements, nor do we provide sponsorships or buy tickets/tables for special events.

Special Eligibility Requirements for Israeli Grantees

JWF evaluates unique Israeli programs and projects specifically designed to foster social change for Jewish women and girls on a national or regional level and/or unique programs and projects that can serve as a model to be replicated in other parts of the country.

Potential Grant Awards 

• There is no minimum or maximum grant amount. At present, our grants generally range between $5,000 and $20,000. We make every effort to award grants of at least $5,000.
• There is no predetermined number of grants.
• We consider organizations for funding on a year-to-year basis. Previous funding does not guarantee continuous funding.
• An organization is eligible to receive funding for one project per year.
• An organization is eligible to receive up to five consecutive years of funding from the JWF. After five consecutive years (even if the funding is for different projects within the same organization), the organization must take a year off. After a year off, the organization may re-approach the JWF, and is eligible for another five years of support.