Woods Fund Chicago is a philanthropic organization that allocates over $4 million annually to support community organizing efforts aimed at achieving racial and economic justice. The Fund prioritizes partnerships with grassroots organizations and movements that challenge systemic inequities and work toward lasting societal change. Each year, Woods Fund Chicago provides core grants up to $35,000 for new grantee partners. These grants are intended for a one-year duration and are renewable. As of 2024, the Fund has shifted to a single grantmaking cycle per year, with an application window opening each February. Successful applicants are notified in July.

The primary focus of Woods Fund Chicago’s grants is to support organizations and coalitions based in the Chicago metropolitan area, including the city of Chicago and select areas of Cook County. Grantees must be registered 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored by such entities. The Fund seeks to collaborate with organizations that engage in community organizing or public policy advocacy and utilize an intersectional racial justice framework. The Fund is particularly interested in supporting BIPOC-led organizations, as well as those working with marginalized communities, including people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those affected by systemic racism and economic injustice.

The application process involves submitting a request through Woods Fund Chicago’s GivingData portal. For the 2025 cycle, applications for new grantee partners are accepted from February 3 to March 3, 2025. Returning grantee partners have a separate application window from April 1 to April 30, 2025. Applicants are notified of their status after a multi-step decision-making process, which includes application reviews, site visits, and interviews with select applicants. Once decisions are made, grantees receive funding agreements and can expect funds to be disbursed 2-3 weeks after signing.

The organization emphasizes its commitment to trust-based philanthropy, aiming to build long-term relationships with grantee partners beyond the provision of financial support. Grantee partners benefit from year-round check-ins, access to capacity-building resources, networking opportunities, and specialized programs, such as the “Cultivate: Women of Color in Leadership” program. Additionally, Woods Fund Chicago amplifies the work of its grantees through various media channels and peer networks, ensuring that community organizing is recognized and supported within the broader philanthropic landscape.

Woods Fund Chicago’s funding priorities exclude certain types of projects, including business and economic development, capital campaigns, healthcare institutions, and direct service provision. The Fund also does not support religious programs, medical research, or educational scholarships. The focus remains squarely on supporting community organizing efforts and systemic change aimed at advancing racial and economic justice in Chicago.