Eleanor Foundation | The Eleanor Network - Integrated Services to Promote Self-Sufficiency

A network of resources to support economic self-sufficiency

Our Grantmaking

During 2012, the Eleanor Foundation will continue its grantmaking program to expand The Eleanor Network in Chicago.

We seek grant applications from nonprofit direct-service organizations that will partner with us to create programs that promote sustained economic self-sufficiency for single working female heads-of-households who earn between $10,000 and $40,000.

Our grants continue to focus on programs that offer practical, skills-based job training and access to jobs that pay living wages. We also support programs that provide wrap-around services that help them succeed.

Interested organizations can apply as Hub Partners that operate as single-points-of-access to integrated services, or as Resource Partners that offer specialized services, especially employer-driven skills training. Learn more.

The Eleanor Network

Integrated Services to Promote Self-Sufficiency

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Working female heads-of-households have dual responsibilities. They are the primary caregivers for their families—and they are also the primary or only wage-earner in their households. To succeed economically, these women need access to programs that help them overcome the barriers to their economic success.

These women are busy enough. They have no time to chase services and programs all over the city. They need single points-of-access for services—what we call hubs, that can provide them the following vitally important services:

Career-planning and education programs that lead to jobs that pay a livable wage
Safe, affordable and decent permanent housing
Reliable, quality childcare
Financial coaching and access to affordable credit

Margarita said yes to economic independence—after participating in an Eleanor Network program.
Read her story.

This is why the Eleanor Foundation is building the Eleanor Network—to provide the women we serve with access to services that help them overcome the barriers to their economic self-sufficiency.

The Eleanor Foundation is Chicago's only public grant-making fund focused exclusively on helping single female heads-of-households achieve sustained economic independence. We have sponsored comprehensive research into the needs of our target population since 2003, and we take a social venture approach to philanthropy—leveraging our financial resources and program experience with direct service providers who want to launch initiatives that support our target population.

We invest in programs that focus on these women's specific needs. And we continue to fund only those programs that are measurable and successful. To view a complete list of our grant partners, click here.