ecf selected to take part in national community foundation equity training

January 6, 2022 | ECF Press Release

The Evanston Community Foundation (ECF) was one of 13 community foundations from across the country selected by the Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE) and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation to participate in a leadership training program to support community foundation efforts in becoming more deliberate in advancing racial equity in their communities. 

Facilitated by ABFE, the program included focused racial equity trainings for ECF staff and board members, equipping the team with the shared knowledge, skills, and tools needed to better understand the foundations of race, racism, and racial equity.

ecf focus

The learnings are being applied throughout the organization, specifically towards ECF programs that focus grantmaking on promoting racial justice and inclusion, supporting alternative grantees including minority-led businesses, and expanding community decision making processes in determining priorities and activities.

“We are so proud to be invited to join this group of well-established, prestigious community foundations,” said Sol Anderson, ECF President and CEO. “We’ve already taken steps to elevate our work to promote systemic racial and economic equity. An example of that is holding the Reparations Stakeholders Authority of Evanston Fund for the Reparations work here in Evanston. Our goal is to unite partners across philanthropy, nonprofits, business, and government to permanently strengthen our community.”

about the equity training program

ABFE has partnered with the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation to provide training geared toward building and strengthening competencies on these issues. The program is designed to help trustees and staff of community foundations foster a deeper understanding and shared appreciation for what it means to advance racial equity as an organization, both operationally and programmatically. The partnership hopes to extend the program to every community foundation that is interested in embedding racial equity within its internal and external policies and practice.

about the foundation

Founded in 1986, the Evanston Community Foundation (ECF) helps Evanston thrive now and forever as a vibrant, equitable and inclusive Evanston, where every member of the community can thrive. Through community driven grant making, leadership training, and making connections, ECF enables Evanston nonprofits and community organizations to deliver their mission more effectively. ECF leverages the generosity of its donors, so their charitable giving can have the greatest impact on the community. ECF is invested in Evanston now, forever and for everyone.