The Illinois Club for Catholic Women (ICCW) has established a scholarship aimed at supporting financially under-resourced students attending Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago. The ICCW Scholarship for Girls was awarded for the first time during the 2024-25 school year, benefiting 35 students.

Superintendent Greg Richmond expressed gratitude towards ICCW, stating, “We are grateful to the ICCW for their incredible commitment to our Catholic schools. This scholarship is evidence of their care for the young girls in our city.” The scholarships are targeted at girls from families facing financial difficulties, with an average household income of $49,000 for a family of four, which is 148% of the federal poverty level.

Founded in 1921 by His Eminence George Cardinal Mundelein's initiative, ICCW continues its mission to uphold individual dignity and provide compassionate service while assisting Catholic charities around Chicago. It remains one of the city's leading charitable organizations serving vulnerable and neglected populations. Besides individual donations, ICCW funds its activities through various events such as luncheons, Christmas gatherings at Misericordia, and its debutante ball.

The Presentation Ball has been held since December 29, 1958. According to Irene DeRosa, president of ICCW, “The Presentation Ball honors a young woman’s adulthood and welcomes her into a world of civic responsibility and awareness.” She added that proceeds from this event help fund the new scholarship initiative aimed at enhancing Catholic education opportunities for girls across the archdiocese.

Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, remarked on the significance of this initiative: “This groundbreaking scholarship will bring education and opportunity to our future female leaders and messengers of God’s peace in this world.”