collective and enduring initiatives

grants focus

The COVID crisis highlighted the inequities and challenges of our society, but it has also highlighted some of Evanston’s greatest strengths: our assets of thriving nonprofit and business communities and our ability and experience of working collectively. The collective efforts that have been forged during this time will have an enduring impact on Evanston. These grants are developed through ECF working closely with community organizations and community members, and are by invitation only.  More thank $245,000 in collective and enduirng grants were issued from ECF's Rapid Response Fund through April 2021.   Collective and enduring grantmaking will continue through 2022 as opportunities arise.  Below are the grants issued through April 2021.

  • Evanston Arts Council
    ($10,000) Support for public art installation at Fountain Square to inspire conversation, understanding, and tolerance. 

  • Evanston Care Network

    ($5000) Expands collective point of entry to include Amita Health crisis hotline accessible 24/7, including training on utilizing Evanston Care Network to provide social services resources outside of Evanston Public Library and 311 hours. 

    ($5400) Establishes networked platform to help residents find needed services and nonprofits coordinate referrals and efforts, using the Aunt Bertha platform.In collaboration with City of Evanston 311, City of Evanston Health and Human Services, and Evanston Public Library.
    ($7500) Ongoing support for networked support system.

  • Evanston Latinos 

    ($9750) Ongoing support for community engagement manager.

    ($14,000) Strengthens Latino community and communications through web and text messaging platforms, translation for nonprofits for COVID resource materials, and community engagement.
    ($18,000) Ongoing support for outreach and communication to Latino community.

  • Evanston Local Marketplace: collaboration among Black Business Consortium Evanston North Shore, Evanston Chamber of Commerce, Evanston Community Foundation, and Evanston Latinos

    ($100,000) Creation and administration of the Evanston Local Marketplace, an online platform to promote minority and women owned business, advance collective purchasing, and connect local business with institutional buyers.

  • Executive Service Corps

    ($2500) Assistance to nonprofits in applying for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)

  • Literacy Works

    ($22,700) Assistance for nonprofits and other institutions in making communications clearer, especially for those who have barriers to basic literacy or English language skills.

  • STEM School Evanston with District 65 and the City of Evanston Reparations Subcommittee

    ($25,000) Creation of initial feasibility study, comparative modeling, and investigation of multiple funding strategy by Equity Schools for the development of a new school in Evanston’s central core which would primarily serve that community.
    ($25,000) Support for 2nd phase of feasibility study.