operating grants

$1,162,977 in Operating Grants: April 2020 – March 2021

Evanston Community Rapid Response (ECRR) Fund

supporting and protecting organizations

Operating grants were designed to protect Evanston’s vital nonprofit infrastructure so it could continue to serve our community during and after the pandemic crisis. Grants supported organizations who lost earned and/or fundraising income or incurred new costs due to adapting their services and environment. ECF initially supported nonprofits by immediately removing restrictions from all previously awarded grants in mid-March 2020 so that organizations could use grant dollars in the best way to respond to the crisis and its impact. 

Beginning of May 2021 ECF transitioned to operational and capacity building support through Nonprofit Growth and Sustainability Grants

operating grants awarded

Eighth round of grants approved March 3, 2021

Actors Gymnasium ($12,500)

Chicago Methodist Senior Services (Senior Connections) ($2,639)

Connections for the Homeless ($25,000)

Infant Welfare Society of Evanston ($25,000)

Interfaith Action of Evanston ($13,434)

PEER Services ($25,000)

Seventh round of grants approved December 22, 2020

Art Encounter ($14,500)

Childcare Network of Evanston ($12,500)

Infant Welfare Society of Evanston ($25,000)

McGaw YMCA ($25,000)

Metropolitan Family Services ($25,000)

Northlight Theatre ($25,000)

Sixth round of grants approved November 5

Connections for the Homeless ($25,000)

McGaw YMCA ($25,000)

Mitchell Museum of the American Indian ($11,041)

James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy ($25,000)

Open Studio Project ($9,166)

Piven Theatre Workshop ($9,875)

Fifth round of grants approved August 25

Books & Breakfast ($6250)

Curt's Cafe ($25,000)

Connections for the Homeless ($25,000)

McGaw YMCA ($25,000)

PEER Services ($25,000)

Puerta Abierta ($18,750)

Warren W. Cherry Preschool ($12,500)

Fourth round of grants approved July 1
Connections for the Homeless ($25,000)
Girls Play Sports, Inc. NFP ($9,025)

Infant Welfare Society of Evanston ($25,000)

Learning Bridge Early Education Center ($25,000)

McGaw YMCA ($25,000)

Rainbows for All Children ($10,000)

Youth & Opportunity United ($25,000)

YWCA Evanston/North Shore ($25,000)

Third round grants approved June 17

Connections for the Homeless ($25,000)

Evanston Symphony Orchestra ($3,050)

Family Focus Evanston ($25,000)

Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP) ($25,000)

Infant Welfare Society of Evanston ($25,000)

Reba Early Learning Center ($25,000)

Second round grants approved May 21

Childcare Network of Evanston ($25,000)

Children's Advocacy Center ($25,000)

Family Promise Chicago North Shore ($18,332)

James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy ($25,000)

NAMI CCNS ($16,791)

Open Communities ($25,000)

PEER Services ($25,000)

Puerta Abierta ($18,750)

Reba Early Learning Center ($25,000)

Reba Place Development Corporation ($15,208)

YWCA Evanston/North Shore ($25,000)

First round grants approved April 27

Center for Independent Futures ($12,500)

Connections for the Homeless ($25,000)

Curt’s Café ($25,000)

Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP) ($10,000)

Infant Welfare Society of Evanston ($25,000)

McGaw YMCA ($25,000)

Mudlark Theater ($17,000)

Open Studio Project ($9,166)