At the end of 2021, the ECF Board of Directors approved a bold new strategic plan with one central goal: to promote and defend systemic racial justice.
To achieve this, the Community Foundation is committed to uniting partners from philanthropy, non-profit organizations, businesses, and government to permanently strengthen our community.
Our mission is to mobilize community resources to drive systemic social change and build a prosperous and resilient Evanston. We achieve this through:
We envision a vibrant, fair, and equitable Evanston, where everyone feels valued and has 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 wider community to dismantle structural barriers, promote racial equity, and improve socioeconomic outcomes for all in Evanston.
Inclusion, opportunity, and a commitment to justice are always present in our vision of the Evanston we are building.
Developing an equitable community in Evanston depends on elevating leaders and amplifying the voices of the entire 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. Here’s 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 and healthy community and maintaining a good quality of life. Here's what we'll do to help achieve that:
The pandemic highlighted the enormous disparities in resources and opportunities that exist in Evanston. And while the initial crisis has largely passed, we know that many of these disparities have existed for generations, and many Evanston families continue to struggle. We need to empower everyone in our community to face whatever challenges the future may bring. Here's how we'll take it a step further:
Using the principles of Ubuntu, we are committed to continuing to build a connected and equitable organization by implementing the lessons learned from our past.
