Vice President of External Affairs Chicago Foundation Women Chicago Foundation Women

Chicago Foundation for Women (CFW) invests in bold ideas, grassroots leadership, and local organizations dismantling barriers for women, girls, and gender-expansive people. Since 1985, CFW has invested over $55 million through more than 5,500 grants to organizations across the Chicago region, focusing on economic security and mobility, reproductive justice, freedom from violence, and access to health and wellness.

We envision a future where equity transforms lives and systems, creating a world where safety is certain, dignity is honored, and choice is guaranteed. Guided by values of equity, community-led power, collective action, and intersectionality, CFW works in partnership with communities to move resources, shift power, and advance lasting change.

The Vice President of External Affairs is a key member of the leadership team, reporting directly to the President & CEO. This executive-level role is responsible for developing and executing an integrated external affairs strategy that advances CFW’s mission, builds strategic partnerships, strengthens brand presence, aligns resource allocation to deepen impact, and influences the policy and public environment in which it operates.

The VP serves as another senior spokesperson and trusted representative of the organization with external audiences. This role shapes the strategic direction of the Foundation’s external affairs department and leads the teams responsible for the Foundation’s fundraising, marketing and communications, and external engagement.

CFW’s new three-year strategic plan is rooted in a clear purpose: mobilize more resources to catalyze greater impact and engage more people and inspire them to take action for equity. The Vice President of External Affairs plays a critical role in advancing these strategic priorities by amplifying the Foundation’s voice, strengthening community connections, and aligning external strategies with mission-driven impact.

This leader will operate as a strategic visionary driving measurable results while building the infrastructure, systems, and capacity needed for long-term success.

• Advise the President & CEO, leadership team, and Board of Directors on emerging opportunities and reputational risks.
• Oversee the development of policy positions, briefing materials, talking points, and stakeholder communications.
• Collaborate with the President & CEO and Board of Directors to cultivate and steward a small portfolio of key relationships.
• Lead crisis-management efforts in coordination with the Board, President & CEO, and leadership team.

• Develop and implement an integrated external affairs strategy aligned with the Foundation’s mission and three-year strategic plan.
• Provide strategic leadership and financial oversight of a marketing and communications plan, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, messaging, and lead CFW’s next organizational rebrand.
• Develop and implement, a comprehensive annual fundraising plan with goals across events, major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation support, planned giving, and campaigns to meet revenue goals.
• Track and report progress on annual fundraising revenue goals.
• Bring experience translating a strategic plan into a public narrative and strong brand position for the organization.
• Conduct an audit of department vendors and oversee the approval process of vendor selection.

• Serve as another visible ambassador for the Foundation across community, media, and partner spaces.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, political, economic, and community developments that may affect the organization.
• Build and strengthen relationships with community leaders,…