Chicago Foundation for Women awards more than half a million dollars to local nonprofit programs to improve women and girls' access to health and health information, and ensure they remain free from violence.
CHICAGO – The Doris & Howard Conant Fund for Women’s Rights of the Chicago Foundation for Women’s Health portfolio has awarded $50,000 over two years to the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois Women’s and Reproductive Rights Project as part of the CFW Spring 2016 cycle. In total, CFW is awarding more than $730,000 to 67 Chicagoland programs, including the ACLU’s Project.
For more than four decades, the ACLU Women’s and Reproductive Rights Project has worked tirelessly to keep Illinois free of restrictions on women’s access to health care, including abortion and other reproductive health care. As a result of the Project’s efforts, Illinois remains free of many of the restrictions that plague other Midwestern states, including waiting periods, state-mandated lectures, abortion procedure bans, and unnecessary ultrasound requirements.
“Women in Illinois benefit from the generosity and keen interest of the Chicago Foundation for Women, which has been a stalwart supporter of our work in this area,” said Colleen K. Connell, Executive director for the ACLU of Illinois, in announcing the award.
“Since 2010, more than 300 anti-abortion measures have been imposed on women across the nation – but not in Illinois.”
“We have avoided these restrictions because of the strategic and long-term work of our Women’s and Reproductive Rights Project,” added Connell.
One of three key issue areas for Chicago Foundation for Women, the Health portfolio works with leading nonprofit and community-centered programs to ensure women and girls have access to health information and quality health care.
The Chicago Foundation for Women is a grant making organization dedicated to increasing resources and opportunities for women and girls in the greater Chicago area. To support its philanthropy, the Foundation promotes increased investment in women and girls, raises awareness about their issues and potential, and develops them as leaders and philanthropists. Learn more at www.cfw.org.
