About Us
Since 1898, the Eleanor Foundation's mission has been to help independent working women of modest means in Chicago. Until 2002, the Foundation offered affordable housing, and educational and cultural opportunities. But changing demographics and the needs of working women moved us to take a new approach to fulfill our mission: to serve as a dynamic research-oriented and engaged grant-maker.
Our Vision Today: the Eleanor Network
Driven by our research, the Eleanor Foundation is advancing an ambitious goal: to build Chicago's first citywide network of services designed for working women committed to achieve lasting economic security. Since 2006, we have invested $3.9 million to launch and expand the Eleanor Network—a new system of services aimed at tens of thousands of working women who live below the radar with their families in Chicago.
Our Focus: Chicago's Working Women
We see single working women as catalysts in community-economic development efforts. They are sole breadwinners and primary caregivers whose economic stability anchors their families and their communities. They are the core workforce for many employers. And they wield substantial buying power.
Yet the large population of these women in the U.S. is often overlooked and its characteristics misunderstood. Our research shatters long-held stereotypes about single mothers:
- More than 10 million women in the US are single working mothers—9 million of whom earn less than $40,000 a year.
- Most live in American suburbs and are racially diverse: 41% white, 26% black and 15% Latina.
- In Chicago, the number of single working mothers has grown 44% since the last census. Their average income is $19,000—barely half the amount to cover a family's basic needs.
- They are hard-working: More than two-thirds work 40+ hours a week.
- They feel a tightening financial squeeze: More than half spend 50% or more of their income on housing. As a result, they spend 42% less on healthcare and 33% less on food for their families.
- They are independent: Fewer than 5% receive public assistance.
The women in our target population know that education is essential to getting ahead. An average of 20% are college graduates—and many more of them want to return to school. But that's not possible unless they have readily available childcare, credit, and secure housing for themselves and their families.
Our Solution
That's where the Eleanor Network comes in. Today, our Eleanor Network offers 5 "hubs"—or single-points-of-access—where single working women help with career education, housing, childcare and money management supports. In addition, our 9 resource partners focus their expertise to deliver employer-driven skills training opportunities.
More than ever, single working women need our help to strengthen their families' economic resiliency. That's why many of our Network programs have waiting lists. And that's why we need your support.
Following are links that provide you more information about our work:
