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Congratulations to our fearless CWIP Board co-chairs, Margaret Jones and Diane Knoepke, for being featured as 2025 Notable Leaders in Philanthropy in Crain's Chicago!
Read more about this exciting announcement on our LinkedIn.
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CWIP in Focus: Voices in Our Sector
CWIP is proud to announce our new website feature, “CWIP in Focus: Voices in Our Sector” highlighting the journeys and reflections of our membership. This bi-monthly series will feature interviews of CWIP members (done by other CWIP members!), and offer a chance to get to know your fellow CWIP members!
Check out the interviews with Barbara Graham, Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager at By the Hand Club for Kids, and Austin Shipman, Project Administrator with the City of Chicago, and other members on the "Meet Our Members" section of our website.
| | Stay tuned for additional interviews to be added in the coming months! | | |
2025 Annual Making a Difference Luncheon
The 2025 Making A Difference Luncheon on May 6th was a timely and uplifting event that served as a reminder of how vital our work in the philanthropic sector always is— especially now—and how we must support one another when times are challenging. CWIP Board Co-Chairs Diane and Margaret encouraged attendees to “keep opening doors, lifting one another up, and building the future we know is possible—together.” The energy in the room was palpable, and, as in years past, attendees expressed that they come to the Annual Luncheon for the connections and the inspiration.
There was a powerful fireside chat between Making a Difference award honoree Z Scott, JD, of Chicago State University and Honorary Co-Chair Andrea Zopp of Cleveland Avenue. Z Scott shared her professional journey that spanned the corporate world, legal space, and now higher education. She spoke about the value in creating partnerships with individuals and groups who share a common goal. And, attendees heard from Girls Leadership Mentor Saran Dunmore and her dynamic mentee London from the Girls Igniting Real Leadership & Service (GIRLS) program.
This year’s luncheon was our most successful fundraising event to date—and the most attended—with 589 registered guests! With your support, we raised over $170,000 to enable CWIP to continue striving toward its vision of an equitable, inclusive, and connected social sector.
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If you are interested in joining the Annual Luncheon Committee to be a part of next year’s planning—or want to learn more about other CWIP Committees—be sure to join us for The CWIP Summit – Collective Power, Shared Purpose Annual Meeting on August 21.
This year’s Luncheon attendees were the first to experience CWIP’s powerful new video, which spotlights the organization’s impact over more than 40 years of advancing equity and opportunity for women and girls in Chicagoland. The video highlights CWIP’s programs—from mentoring and leadership development to racial equity initiatives. Through each program and empowering event, CWIP strives to ensure everyone feels valued, connected, and equipped to drive meaningful change.
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Face to Face with Funders: Candid Conversations Between Funders & Grantees
In April CWIP hosted another successful "Face to Face with Funders" event, bringing together a vibrant mix of funders and nonprofits from across the sector. In a time of significant shifts in the philanthropic landscape, the gathering was a welcome space for solidarity, shared learning, and open dialogue.
The event featured structured small-group discussions that paired funders and grantseekers for rich exchanges of ideas, followed by a full-group debrief of key insights. A grantseeker in attendance reflected on the event as a “powerful reminder of the importance of community during turbulent times.” The event affirmed the strength and resilience of the sector and the importance of coming together to support one another’s missions.
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Racial Equity & Social Justice Committee: Recent Programs
In January the Racial Equity & Social Justice (RESJ) Committee hosted a virtual discussion on how white-dominant culture influences the concept of “professionalism” in our workplaces and how to safely navigate the challenges this presents. The conversation, facilitated by Chanté Martinez Thurmond, Founder and CEO of The Darkest Horse, featured speakers Becky Goldberg, Executive Director at ISTC Education, and Genevieve Gonnigan, VP of Human Resources at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
| | | Inspired in part by Aysa Gray’s article The Bias of Professionalism Standards, participants examined how professionalism is used as coded language for a set of workplace behaviors that favor the values of white employees. The word cluster below was generated by the group in response to the prompt: What comes up for you when you combine the two concepts of “professionalism” and “white dominant culture?” | | |
With support from the CWIP Board and our membership, the RESJ Committee continues to keep this conversation going! Earlier this month, the committee hosted a two-part series: Collective Responses to the Shifting Tide of DEI: How Do We Sustain the Work? Resources shared during the event include:
Stay tuned for more programming—and opportunities to gather and build community— hosted by the RESJ Committee in the coming months!
| | GIRLS Mentoring & High School Event | | The GIRLS Committee hosted an exciting new program for high school sophomores on April 11th at Walther Christian Academy. The half-day program included a yoga and mindfulness session, a panel discussion, and speed networking activities designed to encourage the girls to discuss and reflect on their post-high school plans. The amazing panelists and moderator shared their personal stories, challenges, and triumphs as they navigated their paths to success. They offered practical advice on overcoming self-doubt, building self-esteem, and staying resilient in the face of adversity. The event concluded with a lunch, lots of positive feedback from the students, and requests for a repeat performance next year. | | |
The CWIP Summit – Collective Power, Shared Purpose
Thursday, August 21 | 8:00 – 10:30 AM
The Dalcy | 302 N Green Street Chicago, Illinois
You're Invited: The CWIP Summit – Collective Power, Shared Purpose
Annual Meeting
Join us for The CWIP Summit: Collective Power, Shared Purpose, which will also serve as CWIP’s official Annual Meeting. This important gathering provides a key opportunity for members to connect, reflect on the year, and shape CWIP’s future.
Mark your calendars—we look forward to your participation and voice in this essential part of our organization’s governance and growth.
To be the first to know when registration opens—and to stay up to date on all things CWIP—be sure to join our mailing list!
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Friday Share: Future-Proofing Your Career in a Time of Uncertainty
Friday, June 27 | 8:00 - 9:00 AM | Virtual Event
In an ever-changing world, job security is no longer guaranteed—but you can take control of your professional future.
Join Melanie Wright, Managing Director and Cofounder of NextGroup, for an engaging, interactive workshop designed to equip you with the tools and strategies to navigate uncertainty, stay ahead of industry shifts, and build a resilient career.
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Summer Social
Tuesday, July 29 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Taste 222 | 222 N Canal Street
Chicago, Illinois
Join us for a casual, community-building, and networking event. You’ll have the opportunity to meet longstanding and new members while learning about how to be more involved with CWIP’s committees and mission. Please consider inviting friends and colleagues—members and non-members alike—to connect them to our dynamic community.
Last year’s event sold out fast—secure your spot now and join the fun!
| | | | Keep an eye on our CWIP calendar for updates and other upcoming events! | | | |
Applications to Open Soon for Mentors & Mentees
Applications for the Women’s Leadership and Mentoring Program (WLMP) typically open in July. Read about one mentee’s experience below, and fill out an Interest Form so you don’t miss any announcements!
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“Participating in the Women’s Leadership Mentoring Program was a transformative experience in my career. It deepened my confidence as an early Development professional and reminded me of the power of mentorship in opening doors for others—just as so many have done for me. I still keep in touch with my mentor from the program today! Being part of this year's annual luncheon as the head of a University Foundation was deeply meaningful; it felt like a full-circle moment that honored both my journey and the responsibility I carry to uplift the next generation of women leaders."
- Melanie Sillas, Executive Director, Chicago State Foundation
🎉 Shoutout to Melanie! In addition to her inspiring quote, we're thrilled to share that Melanie was also named one of Crain’s 2025 Philanthropy Leaders! Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
| | CWIP’s work would not be possible without the generous support of our members. Thank you to those who donated during the Annual Luncheon event. With your support, we raised more than $170,000 to power CWIP’s efforts advancing leadership, equity, and opportunity for women and girls across Chicago. If you’d like to support CWIP further, please consider making a donation so we can continue to elevate women and girls—and create a more connected social sector in our great city. | | |
Our Mission:
Chicago Women in Philanthropy (CWIP) is a community of philanthropic, corporate-giving, and nonprofit women and non-binary individuals. Our members are passionate about helping women and girls advance in society. Our mission is to build an inclusive community that educates and empowers Chicagoland women to grow personally and professionally and to advocate boldly for themselves and their communities.
Our Vision:
An equitable, inclusive, and connected social sector.
For more information or to join CWIP, contact:
Chicago Women in Philanthropy
312.414.1277
info@cwiponline.org
www.cwiponline.org
Chicago Women in Philanthropy
CWIP is a volunteer-driven membership 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
| | Chicago Women in Philanthropy | info@cwiponline.org | 312.414.1277 | cwiponline.org | | | | |
