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Thank you to those who joined us for the CWIP Members Holiday Party on December 10th at Taste 222!
If you missed it and want to attend in 2025, please remember to sign up (or renew) your membership in the new year. Check your member status, or become a member TODAY!
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CWIP is excited to announce a new initiative to better share the stories and experiences of our members! The Member Highlights Series will feature interviews every two months with CWIP members, helping us get to know one another better, learn about each other’s journeys, and build community.
To kick off the series, visit our website to read the first profiles featuring the new CWIP board co-chairs, Margaret Jones and Diane Knoepke! Thank you to Shruti Saxena with WLMP for conducting the interviews!
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Diane Knoepke
“Diane sees the need to find places of community and learning, and CWIP was a huge win [for her] in both of those categories. When she joined the programming committee, she saw opportunities to connect people, and enable them to see their leadership and voices – particularly how they can be advocates beyond just their organization and title. Increasing our connections to what we want to see happen is a key motivator for all Diane does."
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Margaret Jones
“Margaret envisions broadening CWIP’s impact by growing and diversifying its membership, launching its grant-making and volunteer service initiatives, amplifying the voices of its members, and collaborating with local universities to offer executive education opportunities. Additionally, she aims to foster deeper, ongoing relationships with philanthropic leaders to extend the partnership beyond the annual luncheon.
Both her career and her work with CWIP demonstrate her steadfast dedication to collaboration, community impact, and empowering others."
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Thank You For 2024: Year In Review | |
In 2024, CWIP offered more than 20 workshops and networking events that engaged over 1,000 individuals. Notably, two-thirds of surveyed attendees reported they advocated for themselves in some way after attending a CWIP event, and 88% credited CWIP for expanding their professional networks. Last year there were 48 emerging and mid-career professionals paired with mentors in the Women’s Leadership Mentoring Program. And, through the GIRLS Leadership Mentoring Program, 12 CWIP members served as mentors for 4th-6th grade girls in 2024. | |
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Update on CWIP Video Project
In partnership with Mainstream Media, CWIP is launching a video project to share the story and mission of CWIP and the impact of its programs. Filming and interviews with stakeholders and program participants will take place between January and April, and the video will be unveiled at the 2025 Making a Difference Luncheon.
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In November, the Women's Leadership Mentoring Program (WLMP) welcomed their 2024 - 2025 cohort. The cohort represents individuals across the nonprofit sector with individuals in grant writing, development, programming, and more! This year WLMP has 20 mentee/mentor pairs who will meet monthly and attend professional development sessions throughout the year tailored to their growth, development, and learning. | |
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WLMP hosted their kick off dinner in November and CWIP board chairs Diane and Margaret attended and welcomed the newest group to CWIP. The mentees and mentors participated in networking, team building activities, and were able to learn about the upcoming program. Since the kick off meeting, many of the pairs have met up and started their goal-setting process.
On December 4th, the cohort had their first professional development session, Career Mapping – Owning Your Advancement, hosted by committee member Tina Erickson. Thank you to all our mentors and mentees for diving in, we are looking forward to a successful year!
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Founded in 2016, the CWIP Racial Equity & Social Justice (RE/SJ) Committee was born from a commitment to antiracism, equity, and social justice expressed by CWIP members and board members. Since that time, the committee has facilitated educational and community building opportunities, training for CWIP Board and committee members, and subsidized workshops for Chicago nonprofit organizations. While the committee has evolved since its founding in nature and scope, it remains focused on three key goals:
1.Educating CWIP members and the larger Chicago nonprofit and philanthropic community about antiracism and equity.
2.Creating a supportive space for BIPOC individuals to be seen and validated while offering white co-conspirators opportunities to grow and address the impacts of white supremacy.
3.Embedding equity into the foundation of all CWIP’s work to ensure the organization lives its mission and vision of an equitable and inclusive social sector.
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Looking ahead to 2025, the RE/SJ Committee is excited to offer new opportunities for engagement and learning: | |
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White Dominant Culture and the Myth of Professionalism
Monday, January 27 | 12:00 PM
Virtual Event
Building upon a successful two-part workshop in 2024, Disrupting White Dominant Culture in the Social Sector, plans are underway for our next event– White Dominant Culture and the Myth of Professionalism. Explore how traditional workplace norms rooted in white dominant culture hinder equity and inclusion. Join us for this important discussion.
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Additional events focused on sustaining DEI efforts in nonprofit organizations are planned for early 2025. The committee is also organizing social gatherings and other community-building events— because doing this work together (and having fun) is essential to keeping us energized and engaged! | | |
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Whether you’re seeking to deepen your understanding of antiracism, connect with other CWIP members or want to bring equitable practices to your work, these events are designed to empower you personally and professionally.
Join Us!
The RE/SJ Committee meets virtually on the second Wednesday of every month from 4-5 PM.
Learn more about the committee’s work and find ways to get involved by visiting our website.
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CWIP Voice Project Updates
As Chicago poet and educator Gwendolyn Brooks wrote in 1949, “it is brave to be involved.” CWIP community members embody what it means to be involved. We work to address some of the most challenging problems and promising opportunities facing humanity, and we do so with bold creativity, purposeful generosity, and strategic care.
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Our CWIP community of women and non-binary individuals give of ourselves—our labor, our resources, our care, and our leadership—to propel forward the communities and nonprofit, philanthropic, and corporate-giving enterprises we serve. | | |
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Looking ahead, CWIP is striving to be more proactive in how, when, and why we use our organizational voice. To this end, the CWIP board has developed guidelines and processes to inform and empower CWIP leaders to create, sign, and/or distribute our perspectives on issues affecting the people, places, and professions that are central to our work—women, Chicago, and philanthropy— all of which we define as inclusively as we can. | |
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YOU, our CWIP members, are critical partners in this work, and we have outlined how you can get more involved in this work, including prompting discussion and public outreach.
Please visit the CWIP website to read more details, review definitions and guidelines, and engage in real time. We look forward to rolling these processes out in the year ahead, and hope you will engage with us in this important work!
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White Dominant Culture and the Myth of Professionalism
Monday, January 27 | 12:00 PM | Virtual Event
Building upon a successful two-part workshop in 2024, Disrupting White Dominant Culture in the Social Sector, our next event is White Dominant Culture and the Myth of Professionalism.
Explore how traditional workplace norms rooted in white dominant culture hinder equity and inclusion. Join us for this important discussion.
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Mentoring Merry-Go-Round
Tuesday, February 4 | 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Join the CWIP Programs and Capacity Building Committee for an inspiring afternoon of connection and professional growth at the Annual Peer Mentoring Event! Open to both CWIP members and non-members, this event is your chance to exchange ideas, gain insights, and build meaningful connections.
What to Expect:
- Bring your questions, challenges, and aspirations—whether it’s about professional development, career hurdles, or finding clarity in your vision.
- Step into the unique roles of both mentor and mentee as you share wisdom, learn from others’ experiences, and grow together in this supportive community.
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Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and thrive with CWIP! | For more information, please email CWIP at info@cwiponline.org. | |
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Face to Face with Funders
Wednesday, April 9 | 8:00 - 10:30 AM
Save the date for our 2025 Face to Face with Funders!
Join us on the morning of April 9 at Aba for this popular CWIP event. During the event, professional grantmakers and philanthropic leaders will connect with nonprofit professionals to mutually exchange ideas and advice related to fundraising and supporting non-profit organizations.
More details to be announced and registration to open soon!
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GIRLS Committee Event
Friday, April 11 | More Details To Come
The GIRLS Committee is excited to announce the debut of a new program for high school sophomores to be held on April 11 at Walther Christian Academy. This half-day program will include panel discussions and networking activities designed to encourage the girls to discuss and reflect on ideas for their post high school plans. If you are interested in planning or participating in the event please contact Emma Walsh.
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Save the Date! 2025 Annual Luncheon – Making a Difference
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 | 10:30 - 1:30 PM
Each year, CWIP's Making a Difference Luncheon honors a woman who has made a profound impact in philanthropy. In 2025, CWIP is excited to honor Zaldwaynaka ("Z") Scott, J.D.
Sponsorship opportunities are now available!
Supporting CWIP's 2025 Annual Luncheon as a sponsor is simple and seamless!
You can view and purchase sponsorships through our secure online platform. Once your sponsorship is confirmed, you'll be prompted to provide your organization's details, ensuring you receive all the benefits included in your sponsorship package.
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Watch Our 2024
Annual Luncheon Recap!
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Want to join a CWIP Committee?
We have leadership and development opportunities available!
Interested in getting more involved? Explore our committee opportunities and find the perfect fit for your interests and expertise. Visit each committee's dedicated page on our website to learn about their mission, activities, and current initiatives. When you find a committee that interests you, simply complete the sign-up form on that committee's page to express your interest in joining.
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Did you know that the redesigned CWIP website is now live? | | |
Check Out CWIP's Career Center! | |
Search for job opportunities and submit available openings on CWIP's Career Center! | |
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Our organization is able to continue its mission because of your support and generosity. By donating you'll help ensure that our work continues. Online donations are quick and easy using our secure credit card transactions. We welcome donations of all sizes and payment plans – whether it's a one-time gift, a monthly contribution or part of a matching gifts program. | |
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Our Mission:
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.
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Chicago Women in Philanthropy | info@cwiponline.org | 312.414.1277 | cwiponline.org | | | | |
