TAWANI Foundation Grants $35K to Strengthen Chicago’s Innovation Economy
March 19, 2026 – TAWANI Foundation, the charitable arm of TAWANI Enterprises, Inc. established by Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer N. Pritzker (Retired), announces a $35,000 grant to Chicago:Blend, a nonprofit organization working to advance inclusion within the Chicago region’s venture capital ecosystem. The grant will support the Chicago:Blend Venture Fellowship, a program that helps underrepresented professionals gain access to mentorship, training and career opportunities in venture capital.
“Expanding opportunity within the venture capital ecosystem is essential to building a stronger and more innovative economy,” said LTC Jennifer Pritzker USA (RET). “We are proud to partner with Chicago:Blend in their efforts to open doors for talented, underrepresented professionals and help cultivate the next generation of venture capital leaders.”
The Chicago:Blend Venture Fellowship is a four-month program designed to prepare underrepresented, aspiring venture capitalists for careers in the venture capital industry. Offered each spring and fall, the program selects cohorts of 10 fellows who receive formal venture capital finance training and participate in hybrid learning sessions. To provide real-world experience, fellows are placed at partner VC firms where they support sourcing, diligence, and general operations while engaging in curated networking opportunities with Chicago:Blend’s founder and venture capital network.
Now in its ninth cohort, the Venture Fellowship has established itself as a critical infrastructure for diversifying the innovation economy. Fellows have sourced more than 1,000 startups, pitched 50 companies to local investors, and helped 11 companies secure venture capital funding—eight of which have diverse co-founders.
Founded in 2018 by venture capitalists committed to addressing racial and gender inequities in Chicago’s venture capital ecosystem, Chicago:Blend works to create greater access and opportunity within the industry. In addition to its flagship fellowship program, the organization publishes industry diversity reports and hosts community events throughout the year. In recognition of its impact, Chicago:Blend received the prestigious Inclusion Impact Award from the National Venture Capital Association in 2023.
"We are deeply grateful for TAWANI Foundation’s continued partnership and this $35,000 grant, which provides the critical momentum needed to scale our impact,” said Chicago:Blend CEO, Joey Mak. “With our ninth cohort now underway, we are on track to have trained 100 fellows by year-end—an elite group of talent where over 90% of those seeking VC roles successfully land positions. This funding ensures we can continue breaking down barriers and proving that when you bridge the gap between underrepresented talent and opportunity, Chicago’s entire venture ecosystem wins."
To learn more about TAWANI Foundation grants, visit https://tawanifoundation.org/our-grants. TAWANI Foundation is a private foundation that accepts applications by invitation only. There is no open application period.
About TAWANI Foundation
Founded in 2002 by notable philanthropist and entrepreneur Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired), TAWANI Enterprises' philanthropic organization, TAWANI Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) that provides support in the areas of arts and culture, historical preservation, health and wellness, LGBTQ+ and human rights, education, and environmental initiatives. TAWANI Foundation's vision is to make a sustained and measurable difference for organizations that focus on enriching knowledge, improving health and wellness, and promoting scientific understanding - all with a common goal of making a positive, long-term impact on individuals, communities, and the culture itself. To learn more, visit https://tawanifoundation.org.
About Chicago:Blend
Chicago:Blend is a non-profit organization, founded in 2018, working to create a more inclusive venture capital and entrepreneurial ecosystem. The organization provides industry data and insights, supports emerging talent, and works with investors across the capital stack to strengthen Chicago’s innovation economy. Chicago:Blend is financially supported by a broad coalition of VCs, foundations, corporations and individual donors. chicagoblend.org.