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2024 FALL GRANT CYCLE


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In alignment with The Evanston Community Foundation (ECF) strategic plan, the foundation aims to build justice and resiliency while connecting and strengthening Evanston. This grant opportunity is designed to provide unrestricted, flexible general operating funding to support any and all expenses related to operating and sustaining work addressing systemic inequities in the Evanston Community. 

ECF has dedicated this grant cycle to prioritize support to grassroots community groups and emerging nonprofits that demonstrate a strong commitment to racial equity in mission, vision, values, and work.


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Please feel free to email us below with any questions, comments, or concerns regarding our Fall Grant Cycle and a Programs Team member will respond to you as soon as possible.

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  • This checklist will help applicants evaluate eligibility for this grant opportunity.  Please review the following information carefully before beginning an application:  

    • Who can apply: 
    • Applicants must fit in one of the following categories: 
    1. Community Institutions: 501c3 organizations, 501c6 organizations, local schools, local government, and community organizations with a fiscal sponsor. 
    2. Community Grassroots Groups: Any group of community members working together to address a community need – no 501c3, 501c6 or fiscal sponsorship required. 
    • Applicant organizations or groups can include: 
    1. New applicants 
    2. Previous applicants 
    3. Current grantees 
    4. Former grantees 
    • Applicants must have an operating budget size of $500,000 or less 
    • Have an Evanston address AND serve the Evanston community 
    • Demonstrate a strong commitment and presence in Evanston to serve the community 
    • Demonstrate strong commitment to racial equity through the organization’s mission, vision, values, and work    
    • Applicants may submit requests up to $25,000 
    • This grant term runs 12-months  

     

    This grant opportunity will not support the following: 

    • Organizations that already received a Spring 2024 Nonprofit Growth and Sustainability General Operating grant 
    • Endowments 
    • Fundraising or sponsorship of one-time events
    • Scholarships 
    • Requests that only benefit a person 
    • Faith-based institutions with a solely religious purpose that do not serve the general community

  • Please keep in mind that grants are reviewed by community members who may or may not be familiar with the applicant organization. Therefore, be sure to communicate clearly and concisely about the work and the difference it makes for the Evanston community. Do not worry about phrasing things just right. Applications will be evaluated using the following core criteria that reflects ECF mission, vision, values, and commitment to racial equity:  

    • Vision and Plan
    • Racial Equity and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Practices 
    • Evanston and Community Impact 
    • Systems Change