Woods Fund Chicago will be unavailable next week Aug. 26-30. Our closures are a time for our team to collectively step away from screens, relax, and reflect. We appreciate your understanding. We look forward to following up when we return after Labor Day on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

📢COFI is hiring two bilingual (English/Spanish) Community Organizers! They will work as a team with parent leaders and other COFI organizers on leadership development, community organizing, and parent-led policy campaigns. Learn more and apply today: cofionline.org/about-cofi/job…

What We're Reading: Legal advocates discuss possible causes of the public defender shortfall in IL and other states, citing research from the @northwesternlaw Bluhm Legal Clinic (home to WFC grantee partner CFJC Northwestern). Learn more from Courthouse News: courthousenews.com/a-state-of-tri…

As the new school year begins, RYH is thrilled to support parents, families, and communities in their journey towards success & equitable outcomes. 📚🎒

Reminder: WFC will be unavailable this week Aug. 26-30. Our closures are a time for our team to collectively step away from screens, relax, and reflect. We appreciate your understanding. We look forward to following up when we return after Labor Day on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Applications due Friday, August 30: Center for Story-based Strategy is holding an interactive Intro Training in Story-based Strategy this fall that focuses on in-depth analysis of story and power in the context of work for collective liberation. Learn more: storybasedstrategy.org/trainings-even…

We want to hear from you! Community listening session and teach in. If you or your family have been impacted by the criminal legal system. Saturday September 7 noon - 3pm at the Austin Public Library #NewLeafIllinois #expungement #cannabis #knowyourrights

#OnThisDay in 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his iconic #IHaveADream speech. This came just months before the War on Poverty was declared, leading to our formation. #MLK & Sargent Shriver believed in using grassroots & legislative approaches to move our nation toward equity.

Today is the 61st anniversary of the historic March on Washington. But Dr. King’s "I have a dream" speech is not yet fully realized. While we’ve made significant progress, our country is still plagued by racism and bias.

What We're Reading: Center for Effective Philanthropy released a report compiling key challenges faced by nonprofits that grantmakers and funders should know about. Nonprofit leaders also note in the report how the philanthropic sector has shifted to address racial equity. ➡️ cep.org/report-backpac…

Join our grantee partner Chicago Workers' Collaborative this Friday!

Congratulations Lucy Parsons Labs 🍉!

WFC President Michelle Morales writes about increasing our payout, reflecting on #BlackPhilanthropyMonth and the obstacles Black-led nonprofits face. Plus: The DNC and the role of protest, a new look for our website, & more! Our August newsletter: t.e2ma.net/message/lorigj…

What We're Reading: Many organizations in Chicago address violence prevention; The TRiiBE covers 13 Black-led organizations leading the charge in providing community support, including WFC grantee partners GoodKidsMadCity and ChicagoFreedomSchool. Read more at: thetriibe.com/2024/07/13-bla…

📢 The Woods Fund Chicago website has a new look! Our updated website showcases our grantee partners and their advocacy and streamlines information so that our mission, values, and grantmaking process are more transparent and accessible. 💻➡️ WoodsFund.org

What we're reading: Grantee partner Latino Union joined Raise The Floor Alliance and Peoples Law Office to file a federal lawsuit uncovering patterns of targeted violence and harassment against migrants and day laborers in search of work. More from City Bureau: citybureau.org/newswire/2024/…

🌟 Applications are open for Cultivate: Women of Color Leadership! 🌟 Join a powerful community of women, women-identifying, non-binary, and two-spirited leaders of color dedicated to justice. The deadline to apply is October 10, 2024. Learn more at bit.ly/applycultivate.