February 2025 — Moving the Needle // Woods Fund Chicago
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Every winter is a time for reflection at Woods Fund Chicago.
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Every December we take the time to look back at what we’ve accomplished and how far we’ve come over the past year, and come January, we’re looking ahead to what the next year has in store, and all that we resolve to achieve in that time.
But, like many, we entered 2025 with the looming sense of unpredictability, and our reflections this winter have largely been centered around the question: Under this administration, what can we as funders do to protect and bolster our grantee partners?
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What hasn’t been discussed, though, is our responsibility as funders to our grantee partners. We’ve witnessed as recently as five years ago how the organizing and movement ecosystem stood strong during crisis, and it was that clarifying moment in 2020 when it was more apparent than ever that philanthropy has long been a perpetrator of practices that suppresses and limits these powerful movements by setting the terms by which they must operate — from project grants that dictate organizational priorities to labor-intensive applications and expectations that drain resources — and by philanthropy’s role as the gatekeepers of resources.
The role of gatekeeper is now being used against the philanthropic sector as the federal government is taking that same position against funders by scrutinizing our missions and portfolios and threatening to pull resources from any entity that doesn’t align with the administration’s priorities. It is undeniable that this gatekeeping is used as a tool of white supremacy but make no mistake — whether that tool is wielded by funders or the government, those who will be hurt the most are the very communities affected the most and fighting the hardest against systemic injustice and oppression.
As we shared in our last newsletter, Woods Fund Chicago’s grantee partners are already exhibiting immense bravery, integrity, and solidarity in this moment. They are showing up for their neighbors, providing public education and resources, and taking unfathomable risks to protect those whose livelihoods are threatened by legislation and rhetoric that promotes hate and enables violence of every kind. As funders, it is our responsibility to support their ongoing commitment of resolve, collective action, and centering community. What does that mean? It means sharing their bravery and not sacrificing our values for fear of retribution. It means fortifying and expanding our resources to support crucial and ongoing movement work. It means taking a stand and making investments against white supremacy — and plainly addressing it when we see it. It means providing tools that strengthen our grantee partners and their skillset while also trusting their expertise.
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We call upon the philanthropic sector to stand in solidarity with Woods Fund Chicago and these local and national movements by challenging the gatekeeping mentality that enables injustice to take hold. While we may not know exactly what is ahead, we know it won’t be easy; we are already witnessing the challenges in store. But if there is one thing we’ve learned from movements throughout history, it’s that solidarity is our greatest asset.
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As federal decision-making presently affects nonprofit organizations — and threatens to cause financial uncertainty — Nonprofit Financial Commons has put together for 2025 “an action checklist designed to build your organization’s agility under turbulent conditions.”
“The first part focuses on the importance of building your ongoing access to unrestricted and liquid dollars, while the second part is about using our network and advocacy to protect ourselves, other nonprofit organizations in our community, and the people being politically targeted by these actions.”
Read the full checklist from Nonprofit Financial Commons.
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New applicants, don’t forget: Your deadline to apply for the Woods Fund Chicago 2025 grantmaking cycle is Monday, March 3.
To continue streamlining our application process, please note that Woods Fund Chicago has separate application windows for new applicants and returning grantee partners.
Returning grantee partners, save the date! Your application window will open on Tuesday, April 1. The deadline for returning grantee partners is Wednesday, April 30.
Learn more about our grants, what we're looking for, and how to apply at www.woodsfund.org/our-grants. For questions, reach out to the Director of Grants Management and Assistant Corporate Secretary Deborah Clark at dclark@woodsfund.org.
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Chicago Future Fund: The Impact of Guaranteed Basic Income on the Lives of Post-incarceration Individuals
Why We’re Reading It: WFC grantee partner Equity and Transformation (EAT) Chicago has released their second report evaluating the impact of EAT’s Chicago Future Fund, a guaranteed basic income (GBI) pilot launched in 2021 “that provides monthly stipends exclusively to formerly incarcerated individuals.” EAT completed the second round of the pilot, providing 100 system-impacted participants from Austin, West Garfield Park, and Englewood with $500 a month from March 2023 to February 2024. This report analyzes how GBI promotes financial security, particularly through a post-incarceration lens — when individuals face further obstacles in finding housing, employment, and more.
EAT Chicago // Download and read now
For further reading, EAT’s Research Director Rachel Pyon discussed the findings with Yes! Magazine, and Executive Director Rich Wallace and program participant Xavier Walker spoke about the pilot with The Chicago Crusader.
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📚 Unrig the Game: What Women of Color Can Teach Everyone About Winning by Vanessa Priya Daniel
Why We’re Reading It: Unrig the Game is “a playbook for movement building, a gathering of wisdom from 45+ women of color leaders in the US, and a tool that will help us achieve collective liberation.” Woods Fund Chicago is proud to co-sponsor the book tour event in Chicago on March 13 at Women & Children First Bookstore, featuring a conversation between Unrig the Game author Vanessa Priya Daniel and activist Ai-jen Poo.
Unrig the Game // Read now
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Grantee Partners Discuss Trans Rights, Immigration Under Trump Administration
Why We’re Listening to It: Following immediate executive orders and ramped-up legislation targeting transgender and immigrant communities, WFC grantee partners are unpacking how these orders will impact vulnerable communities and sharing the steps their organizations are taking through organizing and advocacy to protect critical services, educate impacted communities about their rights, and provide support through uncertainty.
WBEZ Reset // Listen to Brave Space Alliance’s Chrissy Huerta on anti-trans legislation // Listen to P.A.S.O - West Suburban Action Project’s Betty Alzamora on immigrant support
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Woods Fund Chicago is Hiring an Administrative Manager
The Administrative Manager initiates annual projects pertaining to the efficient management of the grantmaking process, assisting the Woods Fund staff in all aspects of the foundation’s grantmaking program and general office management. They will be required to actively interface with grantees, the public, and other stakeholders. The Administrative Manager will manage all components of the grant processing operations of the Foundation.
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Brighton Park Neighborhood Council
Mentor // Learn more
Cabrini Green Legal Aid
Multiple Positions Open // Learn more
Chicago Jobs Council
Development Manager // Learn more
Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership
Office Coordinator // Learn more
Community Renewal Society
Community Organizer & Development Associate // Learn more
Enlace Chicago
Multiple Positions Open // Learn more
Faith in Place
Associate Development Director // Learn more
HANA Center
Multiple Positions Open // Learn more
Housing Action Illinois
Housing Policy Organizer // Learn more
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Multiple Positions Open // Learn more
Illinois Justice Project
Program Director & Program Coordinator // Learn more
Inner City Muslim Action Network
Multiple Positions Open // Learn more
Lawndale Christian Development Corporation
Community Economic Development Coordinator // Learn more
Mujeres Latinas en Acción
Multiple Positions Open // Learn more
P.A.S.O. — West Suburban Action Project
Development Coordinator // Learn more
Southside Together
Operations Associate // Learn more
Warehouse Workers For Justice
Multiple Positions Open // Learn more
Women Employed
The Pattis Family Foundation Summer Leadership Program // Learn more
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To stay up to date with Woods Fund Chicago,
please visit: woodsfund.org
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