Grassroots Community Groups and Emerging Nonprofits
At the Evanston Community Foundation (ECF), we work to support a just and resilient network that strengthens our community. Our grant opportunities reflect this commitment. Our grant processes:
- Are grounded by our organizational mission and strategic plan
- Align with our ongoing commitment to advancing racial equity
- Prioritize supportive sponsorships
We invite applicants to visit our website to learn more about the Evanston Community Foundations mission and strategic plan.
about this funding opportunity
This grant opportunity provides up to $25,000 in unrestricted, flexible general operating funding to address systemic inequities in the Evanston community. For this grant, we prioritize applications from emerging nonprofits and grassroots community groups that:
- Address a systemic inequity in the Evanston community
- Are led by, for, and with Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and prioritize community voice and choice
- Show a strong commitment to racial equity in mission, vision, values, and work
*ECF uses the term BIPOC to highlight the unique history of oppression and continual, systemic discrimination that Black and Indigenous people experience within a U.S. context. These systems, built on white supremacy culture, impact all People of Color. As such, ECF prioritizes organizations led by and/or centered on the voices of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian community members, and those impacted by multiple intersectional systems of oppression.
eligibility
This checklist will help you evaluate if you are eligible for this grant opportunity. All interested applicants will be asked to complete an eligibility quiz prior to completing the full application. Please review the following information carefully before applying.
Who can apply
Applicants must fit in either of the following catergories:
| Emerging Nonprofits: 501c3 organizations, and community organizations with a fiscal sponsor |
Grassroots Community Groups: Any group of community members working together to address a community need - no 501c3, 501c6 or fiscal sponsorship required |
Your nonprofit or group must also:
- Have a current operating budget size of $500,000 or less
- Have an Evanston address and serve the Evanston community through their work and mission
- Show a strong commitment and presence in Evanston
- Show a strong commitment to racial equity through your mission, vision, values, and work
funding guidleines
Your nonprofit or group can request up to $25,000. This grant term runs 12-months.
What this grant opportunity will not fund:
- Organizations that already received a Spring 2024 Nonprofit Growth and Sustainability GeneralOperating grant
- Endowements
- 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
how to apply
You must submit all application materials through ECF's online grant system by Friday, August 30, 2024 at 11:59pm. Your nonprofit or group can submit application materials at any time while the grant period is open. Please view the calendar below for all important application dates and deadlines:
Important Dates
| Application, including questions and materials, opens in ECF portal | Thursday, August 1,2024 |
| Application Due | Friday, August 30, 2024 at 11:59pm |
| Grant awards announced | November 2024 |
We have several ways to support your nonprofit or group in this apllication process:
Virtual Community Informational Sessions
We are holding 4 informational sessions to give a brief overview of the grant and the application process:
| Session #1 August 1, 2024 12PM-1PM CST |
English − Zoom Registration Link - Session #1 |
| Session #2 August 1, 2024 5PM-6PM CST |
Spanish/Español − Zoom Registration Link - Session #2 |
| Session #3 August 12, 2024 12PM-1PM CST |
Spanish/Español − Zoom Registration Link - Session #3 |
| Session #4 August 12, 2024 5PM-6PM CST |
English − Zoom Registration Link - Session #4 |
Grant Writing Best Practices and Budget Preparation Webinar
With Liz Jansen of Women Unite!
(English with live simultaneous Spanish interpretation – Zoom)
August 6 11AM – 1PM CST
Grant Writing Webinar Registration Link
1:1 Consultation with ECF Program Officers
Virtual One-on-one Consultations with ECF Program Officers
(English and Spanish – Zoom)
Request a One-on-one Consultation
General Assistance
If you would need a computer to use or assistance at any point throughout the application process, please reach out to ECF Program Officers Jenny Valdés Del Valle () and/or Jenna Beltrano ().
how applicants are selected for funding
At ECF, our grant funding decisions are led by the community.
We have dedicated grantmaking committees made up of people of diverse identities and lived experiences who all live, work, play, and learn in Evanston. These community members are deeply engaged in social ustice. civic engagement, and lifelong learning. These committees review the applications and recommend grants to be funded by ECF.
The application reflects 4 areas that your organization or group will be evaluated on:
Final Notes
We understand that preparing and submitting an application is a big investment of your time and resources. Please note that we are not able to fund all requests through this grant opportunity and cannot guarantee funding to any applicant.
Thank you for your interest in the ECF grant opportunity.