TAWANI Foundation, the charitable arm of TAWANI Enterprises, founded by Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer N. Pritzker (Retired), has pledged a $101,000 gift to the Chicago Public Library Foundation in tribute to its visionary founder, Cindy Pritzker, who passed away in March 2025. This donation honors her enduring legacy and supports the Foundation’s vital programs that enrich communities across Chicago.
“My Aunt Cindy believed deeply in the power of libraries to uplift individuals and strengthen communities,” said LTC Jennifer Pritzker USA (RET)., Founder of TAWANI Foundation. “This gift is both a tribute to her remarkable legacy and a commitment to continuing the work she championed—ensuring that all Chicagoans have access to knowledge, culture, and opportunity.”
Established in 1986 by Cindy Pritzker and a group of civic leaders, the Chicago Public Library Foundation (CPLF) serves as the exclusive fundraising partner for the Library. CPLF is an independent nonprofit that exists to accelerate the potential of our public library by investing in resources that transform lives and communities. For nearly 40 years, we have connected individuals, corporations, neighborhood organizations, and City agencies committed to building a stronger and more equitable Chicago. Together, we make pathways to learning, creativity, and civic engagement accessible to Chicagoans of all ages.
Through initiatives like the Maker Lab, YOUmedia, Community Cinema, and One Book One Chicago, CPLF brings free, accessible experiences to all Chicagoans. In 2024 alone, over 4,200 makers participated in 600 creative workshops, more than 75,000 readers engaged with the citywide book selection, and 14,250 residents attended free film screenings. Additionally, the Community Connections Fund enabled 52 neighborhood branches to host culturally relevant events, from salsa dance classes to local author talks, strengthening civic bonds and enriching local culture. These programs exemplify CPLF’s commitment to building a more equitable and connected Chicago through the transformative power of the public library.
“The Chicago Public Library Foundation is honored to accept and steward this gift in honor of our inimitable founder, Cindy Pritzker,” said Brenda Bui, President & CEO of CPLF. “While donors to the Library Foundation support community-responsive Library programs for Chicagoans of all ages, one of our areas of most critical need and rapid growth is in the early learning and literacy space. Cindy’s visionary commitment to early learning helped shape the Library as a place where every child is welcomed. This generous contribution from the TAWANI Foundation will help our Library partners to continue engaging hundreds of thousands of our city’s families each year, empowering them to build crucial tools for supporting their lifelong learning journeys.”
TAWANI Foundation is the philanthropic arm of TAWANI Enterprises, a Chicago-based firm with businesses spanning property management, publishing and education. The Foundation supports non-profits with grants across five main categories: education, gender & human sexuality, cultural institutions & preservation, environmental initiatives, and health & human services.
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 Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer N. Pritzker (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.
