The University of Chicago

University of Chicago Women's Board

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who Are We?
The University of Chicago Women’s Board (UCWB) is a dynamic, diverse network of members committed to advancing the University of Chicago’s mission of rigorous inquiry through intellectual engagement, philanthropy, and community building.

What Does the UCWB Do and How Does it Support the University?
The UCWB’s most important activity is to raise funds for Women’s Board grants. Grants are allocated every year across the entire University ecosystem including: research in the sciences, research in the humanities, arts and culture, community outreach and student life. One hundred percent of members’ contributions goes to the Grants Fund. 

How Do Members Engage with the University?
Learning about the breadth and depth of work at the University is key to the Women’s Board grant-making process. Members have the opportunity to engage with renowned University faculty, researchers, and senior staff, through a series of regular luncheon and dinner programs. Additional ad-hoc programs offer members an opportunity to explore on-hand cutting-edge research, visit special cultural and art exhibitions, and expand their professional and social networks. Women’s Board activities occur once per month during the academic year. 

How Does the Grants Program Work?
Every year, we receive over $5M in grant requests and give $650,000 to $1,000,000 from the Grants Fund. All Women’s Board members are invited to participate in the grant-making process, a highlight of any member’s experience on the Women’s Board. The Grants Committee meets every Spring. Some examples of projects that the Women’s Board has funded in the past include:

  • Arts & Culture: A project to create a library of thousands of banned books that would be accessible to all. This is a joint collaboration between the Regenstein Library and the Forum for Free Expression and Inquiry. Funded amount: $30,000
  • Science Research: Research to test if easily accessible FDA-approved drugs are effective in reducing glioblastomas, potentially enabling radical changes in glioblastoma treatment options.  Funded amount: $40,000
  • Student Life: Funding the first ever all-undergraduate-led initiative at the University to design, build, and fly a small satellite. Funded amount: $30,000
  • Community Outreach: Funding for UChicago’s Medicine chapter of Chicago Street Medicine which provides medical treatment and supportive services for the South Side’s unhoused populations. Funded amount: $50,000

Do I Have to Join a Committee?
No, committee work is not required to become a member. Various volunteer and leadership opportunities are available for those who wish to commit more time to the UCWB and to work with other board members, faculty, and staff through committee work. Committees are open to all members.

  • The Membership Committee meets throughout the year and  supports all aspects of the UChicago Women’s Board membership experience, including recruiting new members, encouraging members to attend events, answering membership questions, and hosting new member welcome events.
  • The Programs Committee meets twice per year and supports the development of the speaker series throughout the year, as well as ad-hoc programming opportunities, or ‘salons’, including visiting labs, special exhibits, and curated tours. It also encourages all members to attend events.
  • The Grants Committee meets for two full days in the Spring and reviews projects, interviews applicants and selects the projects that will be funded that year. 
  • The Steering Committee is appointed on an annual basis by the Chair of the Women’s Board and provides advocacy leadership, focuses strategic initiatives, and helps lead the implementation of the Women’s Board mission and program. This committee meets 3-4 times per year. 

What Are the Membership Guidelines?
Membership is open to the public and we invite both University-affiliated and non-affiliated members to join—you need not be an alum, parent, faculty or staff. We simply ask that all members commit to advancing UCWB’s mission of Intellectual Engagement, Philanthropy, and Community Building. Our members are encouraged to give at least $1,000 per year to the UCWB Grants Fund. If you have any membership information questions, please call us at (773) 702-9322 or email us at ucwb@uchicago.edu.

If you would like to become a member, please download one of the application form options below, and return your completed application to Dorothy Burnett at dorothyb@uchicago.edu.

Download the PDF application HERE.
or
Download the Word application HERE.