JWF Chicago offers three grant opportunities:

• Annual Grants : One-year funding open to all applicants that meet JWF Chicago’s overall eligibility requirements as described below.
• Innovation Grants : One-year funding open to start-up organizations in operation three years or less, or existing organizations instituting a pilot project not yet in operation.
• Multiyear Grants : Three-year funding open to current JWF Chicago grantees and/or organizations previously funded by JWF Chicago in any of the past three grant cycles (since 2023).

Annual Grants

Eligibility

Organizations that meet JWF Chicago’s overall eligibility requirements may apply for an Annual Grant. Israeli organizations must also meet the special geographic/replication eligibility requirements.

Further information about Innovation and Multiyear Grants can be found below.

Additional Details

• There is no predetermined number of Annual Grants.
• JWF Chicago considers organizations for funding on a year-to-year basis.
• Previous funding does not guarantee continued funding.
• The minimum Annual Grant award is $15,000. There is no maximum grant amount. 
• The average Annual Grant ranges between $20,000-$25,000.
• Domestic organizations have no restriction on the number of Letters of Intent (LOI) they may submit each year as long as each LOI is for a distinctly different program. International organizations are eligible to submit one LOI per year.
• A program or project may be funded for up to five consecutive years, followed by at least one year off from funding. During the year off, domestic organizations may submit an application for a different program or project, whereas international organizations cannot submit an application during the year off. After the year off, an organization may submit an application for a previously funded project subject to the guidelines listed above.

Innovation Grants

Eligibility

Start-up organizations, whether domestic or international, that have been in operation for three years or less, or existing organizations instituting a pilot project not yet in operation may apply for an Innovation Grant. 

A pilot project may be a concept or idea that is being tested for viability, effectiveness, or feasibility. A pilot project may include tackling an issue or an initiative in a new way; or a new iteration of work that is reflective of a dynamic environment.

Additional Details

• There is no predetermined number of Innovation Grants.
• The minimum Innovation Grant award is $15,000. There is no maximum grant amount.
• The average Innovation Grant ranges between $20,000-$25,000.
• JWF Chicago considers organizations for funding on a year-to-year basis. When applicable, previous funding of an organization does not guarantee funding for an Innovation Grant.
• Startup organizations are eligible to receive an Innovation Grant for up to two consecutive grant cycles and then may segue to the general JWF Chicago application process for a total of five years of consecutive funding, the current limit for JWF Chicago grantees.
• Pilot projects at existing organizations are eligible to receive one Innovation Grant during the project’s inception. If an organization wishes to be considered for additional JWF funding, it must then apply through JWF Chicago’s Annual Grant application process and is eligible for four more consecutive years of funding.
• Organizations may apply for only one Innovation Grant per grant cycle. Domestic organizations eligible to submit an Innovation Grant may also submit an LOI for an Annual or Multiyear Grant.

Multiyear Grants

Eligibility

Current JWF Chicago grantees and/or organizations funded by JWF Chicago, whether international or domestic, in any of the past three grant cycles (since 2023) that have demonstrated a solid track record of reaching benchmarks may apply for a Multiyear Grant. Organizations must be in existence for at least three years to qualify.

Additional Details

• JWF Chicago can award up to three new three-year grants per grant cycle.
• JWF Chicago will award up to $20,000 per grant in Year 1, up to $20,000 per grant in Year 2, and $105000 per grant in Year 3. Funding in Year 2 and Year 3 will be contingent on applicant’s progress towards stated benchmarks.
• Applicants for multiyear funding will complete an expanded application which includes JWF Chicago’s general application as well as supplemental sections and multiyear budgets.
• An organization may only receive one Multiyear Grant per five-year period. Since organizations are only eligible for five consecutive years of funding for the same project, organizations must have three years of remaining eligibility to apply for multiyear funding.
• An organization may only receive one multiyear grant for a specific project. Going forward, that project will be eligible to receive one-year Annual Grants from JWF Chicago for a maximum total of five years of consecutive funding.
• Multiyear applicants will be considered for both a three-year Multiyear Grant and a one-year Annual Grant. JWF Chicago can opt to reduce a multiyear application to an Annual Grant.
• After multiyear funding has ended, previous or current funding does not guarantee continued funding.

For questions regarding grant eligibility and awards, please contact JWF’s Senior Program Officer Genna Kahn at [email protected] or (312) 444-2867.