Woods Fund Chicago
@woodsfund.org
Woods Fund Chicago is a bold grantmaker that draws on the power of communities to fight the brutality of poverty and structural racism.
www.woodsfund.org
www.woodsfund.org
Our most recent newsletter includes a briefing on what we heard from Brave Space Alliance and the Transformative Justice Law Project last month. The headline? Trans communities need our explicit and concrete solidarity now more than ever: t.e2ma.net/webview/xt3s...
November 12, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Our most recent newsletter includes a briefing on what we heard from Brave Space Alliance and the Transformative Justice Law Project last month. The headline? Trans communities need our explicit and concrete solidarity now more than ever: t.e2ma.net/webview/xt3s...
Amid escalating federal violence, WBEZ interviewed Rev. Ciera Bates Chamberlain, executive director of grantee partner Live Free Illinois, on responding to ICE. Chamberlain preached unity and resistance: “We have to go out and get our people and bring them with us."
www.wbez.org/in-the-loop-...
www.wbez.org/in-the-loop-...
Chicago faith leaders on leading in a time of ICE and Border Patrol arrests, raids
The Department of Homeland Security says federal agents have arrested more than 1,500 people in the Chicago area since Sept. 8. Here’s how faith leaders are helping their communities as arrests and de...
www.wbez.org
November 10, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Amid escalating federal violence, WBEZ interviewed Rev. Ciera Bates Chamberlain, executive director of grantee partner Live Free Illinois, on responding to ICE. Chamberlain preached unity and resistance: “We have to go out and get our people and bring them with us."
www.wbez.org/in-the-loop-...
www.wbez.org/in-the-loop-...
As orgs step into the breach of a government shutdown and combat ongoing attacks on our communities, funders have to look beyond our budgets and get creative. Click through for your weekend reading: www.woodsfund.org/news/novembe...
📸: CUE, Centro de Trabajadores Unidos, Alliance of the Southeast
📸: CUE, Centro de Trabajadores Unidos, Alliance of the Southeast
November 2025 Newsletter // A Bigger Toolbox: Getting Creative on Support for Grantee Partners — Woods Fund Chicago
As organizations work to step into the breach of a government shutdown and combat ongoing attacks on our communities, funders have to look beyond our initial budgets and get creative.
www.woodsfund.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:33 PM
As orgs step into the breach of a government shutdown and combat ongoing attacks on our communities, funders have to look beyond our budgets and get creative. Click through for your weekend reading: www.woodsfund.org/news/novembe...
📸: CUE, Centro de Trabajadores Unidos, Alliance of the Southeast
📸: CUE, Centro de Trabajadores Unidos, Alliance of the Southeast
Our grantee partners and peers are hiring!
Learn more about open opportunities to join organizations, coalitions, and nonprofit sector peers that are making an impact at linktr.ee/woodsfundchicago. #JobOpportunities #NonprofitCareers #CommunityOrganizing
Learn more about open opportunities to join organizations, coalitions, and nonprofit sector peers that are making an impact at linktr.ee/woodsfundchicago. #JobOpportunities #NonprofitCareers #CommunityOrganizing
November 4, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Our grantee partners and peers are hiring!
Learn more about open opportunities to join organizations, coalitions, and nonprofit sector peers that are making an impact at linktr.ee/woodsfundchicago. #JobOpportunities #NonprofitCareers #CommunityOrganizing
Learn more about open opportunities to join organizations, coalitions, and nonprofit sector peers that are making an impact at linktr.ee/woodsfundchicago. #JobOpportunities #NonprofitCareers #CommunityOrganizing
What We're Reading: After a violent ICE raid in South Shore, South Side Together's Dixon Romeo says persecution and neglect from landlords and government had long made the building uninhabitable.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/10/south-shore-chicago-apartment-building-raid-history/
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/10/south-shore-chicago-apartment-building-raid-history/
To understand that horrific Chicago apartment raid, go back in time—to Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott's political stunts kicked off a crisis that left immigrant families in a lurch.
www.motherjones.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:01 PM
What We're Reading: After a violent ICE raid in South Shore, South Side Together's Dixon Romeo says persecution and neglect from landlords and government had long made the building uninhabitable.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/10/south-shore-chicago-apartment-building-raid-history/
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/10/south-shore-chicago-apartment-building-raid-history/
Woods Fund Chicago President Michelle Morales joins a panel on shifting grantmaking strategies — from increased payout to multiyear grants — to help the organizations we support meet unprecedented challenges. Learn more and register for the online session at our link in bio.
October 24, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Woods Fund Chicago President Michelle Morales joins a panel on shifting grantmaking strategies — from increased payout to multiyear grants — to help the organizations we support meet unprecedented challenges. Learn more and register for the online session at our link in bio.
Our grantee partners and peers are hiring! Learn more about job opportunities at linktr.ee/woodsfundchicago or the link in bio. #JobOpportunities #NonprofitCareers #CommunityOrganizing
October 21, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Our grantee partners and peers are hiring! Learn more about job opportunities at linktr.ee/woodsfundchicago or the link in bio. #JobOpportunities #NonprofitCareers #CommunityOrganizing
Federal targeting of DEI initiatives has led many in the nonprofit sector to move away from identity-based language or question its utility. But a vision of a just future cannot be enacted without centering racial justice. https://t.e2ma.net/message/pv3b6j/1woa0q3n
📸: Equity and Transformation
📸: Equity and Transformation
October 10, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Federal targeting of DEI initiatives has led many in the nonprofit sector to move away from identity-based language or question its utility. But a vision of a just future cannot be enacted without centering racial justice. https://t.e2ma.net/message/pv3b6j/1woa0q3n
📸: Equity and Transformation
📸: Equity and Transformation
Upcoming event alert! Thursday, October 9th, Alternatives is hosting Woods Fund Chicago President Michelle Morales and on a panel of philanthropic leaders to discuss funding partnerships in today's climate. Space is limited: RSVP in the link in bio or at: http://octobercocktails25.eventbrite.com/
October 8, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Upcoming event alert! Thursday, October 9th, Alternatives is hosting Woods Fund Chicago President Michelle Morales and on a panel of philanthropic leaders to discuss funding partnerships in today's climate. Space is limited: RSVP in the link in bio or at: http://octobercocktails25.eventbrite.com/
We're Reading: As federal threats toward the nonprofit sector escalate, former Marshall Project President Carroll Bogert's lessons on managing risk across funder-grantee partner relationships are ultimately a call to stand by your partners, and your principles. www.philanthropy.com/article/how-...
How Funders Can Protect Grantees — and Themselves — From Civil Society Attacks
At a time of escalating threats to journalists, grant makers should bolster the security of nonprofit media outlets but also can’t ignore their own risks.
www.philanthropy.com
September 24, 2025 at 8:42 PM
We're Reading: As federal threats toward the nonprofit sector escalate, former Marshall Project President Carroll Bogert's lessons on managing risk across funder-grantee partner relationships are ultimately a call to stand by your partners, and your principles. www.philanthropy.com/article/how-...
From August's Newsletter: This summer, grantee partners Equity and Transformation and @c4racialjustice.bsky.social canvassed on the radical potential of guaranteed income—a reminder that even as we fight to avoid ceding ground, we have to keep dreaming of what’s possible together. 📸:@eatorgchicago
September 18, 2025 at 5:41 PM
From August's Newsletter: This summer, grantee partners Equity and Transformation and @c4racialjustice.bsky.social canvassed on the radical potential of guaranteed income—a reminder that even as we fight to avoid ceding ground, we have to keep dreaming of what’s possible together. 📸:@eatorgchicago
🌟 Apply for the Cultivate Leadership Program 2025-2026!🌟
If you are a woman or nonbinary leader of color working in the social, economic, and/or racial justice movements and are interested in leadership development and receiving Executive Coaching, please consider applying!
If you are a woman or nonbinary leader of color working in the social, economic, and/or racial justice movements and are interested in leadership development and receiving Executive Coaching, please consider applying!
September 15, 2025 at 1:48 PM
🌟 Apply for the Cultivate Leadership Program 2025-2026!🌟
If you are a woman or nonbinary leader of color working in the social, economic, and/or racial justice movements and are interested in leadership development and receiving Executive Coaching, please consider applying!
If you are a woman or nonbinary leader of color working in the social, economic, and/or racial justice movements and are interested in leadership development and receiving Executive Coaching, please consider applying!
As Chicago faces escalating ICE detentions and potential National Guard deployment, our communities are justly afraid. Organizations across Chicago have put together resources that can be shared online and off to help empower every Chicagoan — regardless of immigration or housing status. 🧵:
Immigrant Community Resources | ICIRR
Help and support for immigrants and refugees
www.icirr.org
September 11, 2025 at 1:31 PM
As Chicago faces escalating ICE detentions and potential National Guard deployment, our communities are justly afraid. Organizations across Chicago have put together resources that can be shared online and off to help empower every Chicagoan — regardless of immigration or housing status. 🧵:
Our latest newsletter highlights some hard-fought wins from grantee partners: from the FAIR Act passage to making schools safe for all our kids, these organizations are doing more with less in the face of rapid terrain change. We're proud to stand behind them! t.e2ma.net/message/lkwn...
September 2, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Our latest newsletter highlights some hard-fought wins from grantee partners: from the FAIR Act passage to making schools safe for all our kids, these organizations are doing more with less in the face of rapid terrain change. We're proud to stand behind them! t.e2ma.net/message/lkwn...
📢 🎉 Andrea Ortiz-Landin joined Woods Fund Chicago this summer as Strategic Initiatives Director!
As former director of organizing for Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, her work has for decades been grounded in a deep commitment to social justice and racial equity.
Learn more at our link in bio!
As former director of organizing for Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, her work has for decades been grounded in a deep commitment to social justice and racial equity.
Learn more at our link in bio!
August 8, 2025 at 1:49 PM
📢 🎉 Andrea Ortiz-Landin joined Woods Fund Chicago this summer as Strategic Initiatives Director!
As former director of organizing for Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, her work has for decades been grounded in a deep commitment to social justice and racial equity.
Learn more at our link in bio!
As former director of organizing for Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, her work has for decades been grounded in a deep commitment to social justice and racial equity.
Learn more at our link in bio!
Our grantee partners and peers are hiring! See opportunities from orgs like @cofionline.bsky.social, @icirr.bsky.social, and @latinopolicyforum.bsky.social: linktr.ee/woodsfundchi...
August 5, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Our grantee partners and peers are hiring! See opportunities from orgs like @cofionline.bsky.social, @icirr.bsky.social, and @latinopolicyforum.bsky.social: linktr.ee/woodsfundchi...
Our July newsletter features tactics on how to support grantee partners, a sharp look at organizing rideshare drivers, job opportunities, and a welcome to our newest team member. Find it at our link in bio!
Read now: t.e2ma.net/message/dqb1...
📸: Live Free Illinois
Read now: t.e2ma.net/message/dqb1...
📸: Live Free Illinois
July 31, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Our July newsletter features tactics on how to support grantee partners, a sharp look at organizing rideshare drivers, job opportunities, and a welcome to our newest team member. Find it at our link in bio!
Read now: t.e2ma.net/message/dqb1...
📸: Live Free Illinois
Read now: t.e2ma.net/message/dqb1...
📸: Live Free Illinois
"About 25 percent of Woods Fund Chicago grantees have already lost federal funding and had to shrink services this year...to meet this moment, we must increase our giving, and reject a narrow definition of fiduciary responsibility." —Michelle Morales
➡️ @stanford.ssir | ssir.org/articles/ent...
➡️ @stanford.ssir | ssir.org/articles/ent...
A Looser Hold on Perpetuity (SSIR)
In a crisis, how can foundations justify perpetuity as a guiding star? Increasing payouts goes hand in hand with a trust-based philanthropy approach that prioritizes supporting our partners.
ssir.org
July 28, 2025 at 8:43 PM
"About 25 percent of Woods Fund Chicago grantees have already lost federal funding and had to shrink services this year...to meet this moment, we must increase our giving, and reject a narrow definition of fiduciary responsibility." —Michelle Morales
➡️ @stanford.ssir | ssir.org/articles/ent...
➡️ @stanford.ssir | ssir.org/articles/ent...
What We're Reading: @southsideweekly.bsky.social has published a series exploring the roots and impact of snap curfew legislation that would give CPD the authority to declare a teen curfew with 30 minutes notice. 🧵
Opinion: Who Benefits From a Snap Curfew?
What giving police unchecked powers to detain teens means in authoritarian times.
southsideweekly.com
July 8, 2025 at 8:41 PM
What We're Reading: @southsideweekly.bsky.social has published a series exploring the roots and impact of snap curfew legislation that would give CPD the authority to declare a teen curfew with 30 minutes notice. 🧵
What We're Listening To: Chicago podcast AirGo Radio recently featured both Dixon Romeo, executive director of South Side Together and Alex Ding, co-director of Dissenters. What does it take to build and maintain coalitions?
🎧 AirGo Radio via Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3ZKHASX...
🎧 AirGo Radio via Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3ZKHASX...
July 1, 2025 at 2:50 PM
What We're Listening To: Chicago podcast AirGo Radio recently featured both Dixon Romeo, executive director of South Side Together and Alex Ding, co-director of Dissenters. What does it take to build and maintain coalitions?
🎧 AirGo Radio via Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3ZKHASX...
🎧 AirGo Radio via Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3ZKHASX...
Our partners and peers are hiring! Head to linktr.ee/woodsfundchi... for opportunities:
June 26, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Our partners and peers are hiring! Head to linktr.ee/woodsfundchi... for opportunities:
Reposted by Woods Fund Chicago
How should foundations balance perpetuity with immediate challenges?
Michelle Morales of @woodsfund.org shares how her organization has increased payout from 6% to 7% to 8% and now to 14% in 2025
Michelle Morales of @woodsfund.org shares how her organization has increased payout from 6% to 7% to 8% and now to 14% in 2025
A Looser Hold on Perpetuity (SSIR)
In a crisis, how can foundations justify perpetuity as a guiding star? Increasing payouts goes hand in hand with a trust-based philanthropy approach that prioritizes supporting our partners.
ssir.org
June 17, 2025 at 2:52 PM
How should foundations balance perpetuity with immediate challenges?
Michelle Morales of @woodsfund.org shares how her organization has increased payout from 6% to 7% to 8% and now to 14% in 2025
Michelle Morales of @woodsfund.org shares how her organization has increased payout from 6% to 7% to 8% and now to 14% in 2025
Our grantee partners and peers are hiring!
Learn more about open opportunities to join organizations, coalitions, and nonprofit sector peers that are making an impact at linktr.ee/woodsfundchicago or the link in bio. #JobOpportunities #NonprofitCareers #CommunityOrganizing
Learn more about open opportunities to join organizations, coalitions, and nonprofit sector peers that are making an impact at linktr.ee/woodsfundchicago or the link in bio. #JobOpportunities #NonprofitCareers #CommunityOrganizing
June 4, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Our grantee partners and peers are hiring!
Learn more about open opportunities to join organizations, coalitions, and nonprofit sector peers that are making an impact at linktr.ee/woodsfundchicago or the link in bio. #JobOpportunities #NonprofitCareers #CommunityOrganizing
Learn more about open opportunities to join organizations, coalitions, and nonprofit sector peers that are making an impact at linktr.ee/woodsfundchicago or the link in bio. #JobOpportunities #NonprofitCareers #CommunityOrganizing
In this month's Woods Fund Chicago newsletter, our grantee partners are meeting potential Medicaid cuts with solidarity. Read for updates, job listings, and two recent podcast recs on building movements to last.
➡️ Read at: t.e2ma.net/message/lsia...
➡️ Sign up: signup.e2ma.net/signup/19446...
➡️ Read at: t.e2ma.net/message/lsia...
➡️ Sign up: signup.e2ma.net/signup/19446...
June 3, 2025 at 9:22 PM
In this month's Woods Fund Chicago newsletter, our grantee partners are meeting potential Medicaid cuts with solidarity. Read for updates, job listings, and two recent podcast recs on building movements to last.
➡️ Read at: t.e2ma.net/message/lsia...
➡️ Sign up: signup.e2ma.net/signup/19446...
➡️ Read at: t.e2ma.net/message/lsia...
➡️ Sign up: signup.e2ma.net/signup/19446...
Congratulations to WFC Board Member Alice Kim, recently named a Leader for a New Chicago by @fieldfoundation.bsky.social, in collaboration with MacArthur Foundation. We are grateful for her leadership, and that of all of the awardees. fieldfoundation.org/field-news/a...
Announcing the 2025 Leaders for a New Chicago — Field Foundation of Illinois
The Field Foundation, in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation, today announced the recipients of the 2025 Leaders for a New Chicago Award. As artists, journalists, storytellers, and organizers, t...
fieldfoundation.org
May 22, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Congratulations to WFC Board Member Alice Kim, recently named a Leader for a New Chicago by @fieldfoundation.bsky.social, in collaboration with MacArthur Foundation. We are grateful for her leadership, and that of all of the awardees. fieldfoundation.org/field-news/a...