In late 2021, the ECF Board of Directors approved a bold new strategic plan with one central goal: to promote and advocate for systemic racial justice.
To achieve this, the Community Foundation is committed to uniting partners from philanthropy, nonprofits, businesses and government to permanently strengthen our community.
Our mission is to mobilize community resources to drive systemic social change and build a thriving and resilient Evanston. We achieve this by:
We envision a vibrant, just and equitable Evanston, where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging.
Our roots:
Founded in 1986, the Evanston Community Foundation has been a hub for community connection and support. We collaborate with donors, fund advisors, social movements, and the broader community to dismantle structural barriers, advance racial equity, and improve socioeconomic outcomes for everyone in Evanston.
Inclusion, opportunity, and a commitment to justice are always present in our vision of the Evanston we are building.
The development of an equitable community in Evanston depends on the elevation of leaders and voices from across the community. ECF must be equitable and inclusive in our programming and grantmaking, and expand our leadership, outreach, advocacy, and educational offerings, especially to communities that have been historically excluded. This is how we will do it:
Nonprofit organizations are the heart and soul of Evanston. A strong, vibrant, and collaborative nonprofit sector is absolutely crucial to building an equitable, healthy community and maintaining a strong quality of life. Here's what we'll do to help achieve this:
The pandemic highlighted the huge disparities in resources and opportunities that exist in Evanston. And while the initial crisis has in some ways passed, we know that many of these disparities have existed for generations and many Evanston families continue to struggle. We need to strengthen everyone in our community to face whatever challenges the future brings. Here's how we'll take it one step further:
Using the principles of Ubuntu, we commit to continuing to build a connected and equitable organization by implementing the lessons learned from our past.
