nonprofit growth & sustainability grants

SPRING 2024 applications are now open and must be submitted no later than February 20, 2024 at 11:59pm.

If you would like to schedule a 1:1 session for more information click here; or attend one of our community info sessions on the following dates:

overview

Nonprofit Growth &Sustainability (NGS) grants focus on enhancing the capacity and sustainabilityof nonprofit organizations in Evanston. A primary goal of the Evanston Community Foundation is to foster a robust nonprofit sector in the city. For nonprofits to thrive, they must be able to maintain their ongoing efforts and strengthen their capabilities to expand. We help support this work by offering our General Operating Grants and Capacity Building Grants.  

For more information, read the guidelines listed below OR download the Nonprofit Growth and Sustainability Grant Guidelines & Calendar: Capacity Building Grants | General Operating Grants | Grants Cycle Calendar.

Spring '24  General Operating GrantsUnrestricted funding


We provide unrestricted, flexible general operating funding to current or previous ECF grantees with a demonstrated commitment to racial equity in mission, vision, and practice.


This grant is open to Evanston-based nonprofits with IRS 501(c)3 tax status or fiscal sponsor that serve the Evanston community.

 

What is a fiscal sponsor?

 

 

Eligibility

This checklist will help you evaluate if you are eligible for a general operating grant. If your organization does not meet the eligibility requirements for the General Operating grant opportunity, we suggest you check out our Capacity-Building or E-Town Innovation Opportunities. 

 

Please review the following information carefully before beginning an application. For general operating grants, organizations must:

 

  • Have an Evanston address AND serve the Evanston community

  • Have been in existence for at least three years (or be the result of merging organizations with at least a three-year history

  • Have received and successfully completed at least two ECF grants in the last four years  

  • Demonstrate strong commitment to racial equity through the organization’s mission, vision, values, and work 

  • Applicants must have at least one paid staff member

  • Have a current strategic plan and/or strategic framework as well as a method for measuring progress and community impact

  • Demonstrate effective board governance

 

This grant opportunity will not support the following: 

 

  • Specific Programs or Projects requests
  • Specific Capacity Building requests

 

 

funding parameters

Your organization can apply for: 

 

  • One-year grants up to $25,000
  • Up to one Nonprofit Growth and Sustainability Grant (either capacity building OR general operating support grant) during a 12-month period – you may apply for other grants, such as E-Town Innovation grants, or other ECF grants cycles
  • If your organization is awarded a general operating grant, your organization will not be eligible to apply for a Capacity Building grant within a 12-month period. 

 apply by February 20, 2024

 

  • 1/22/24: Applications open.

  • 2/20/24: Applications close at 11:59 pm (CST).

  • 5/13/24: Grant recipient notified.

 

 

Learn More

Capacity Building GrantsProject-specific grants that help grow your organizational capacity

 

We fund specific capacity-building projects that support an organization's long-term development and growth. Example projects could include racial equity assessment and training, program evaluation improvement, and software upgrades that enhance your work.

This grant is open to nonprofits with IRS 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 tax status or fiscal sponsor that serve the Evanston community.

 

What is a fiscal sponsor?

 Eligibility

which organizations are eligible

We invite you to review the following checklist to determine if your organization is eligible to apply for this grant opportunity: 

  • Have IRS 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 tax status or fiscal sponsor

  • Demonstrate a strong commitment and presence in the Evanston community now and in the future  

  • Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) 

  • Demonstrate how this project will support your organization’s growth and sustainability 

projects should fit into one of the following categories:

  • Board Governance 

  • Technology (such as improved software, data systems, websites Etc.)

  • Strategic Planning

  • Racial Equity

  • Program Evaluation and Assessment

  • Fundraising

  • Communications and Marketing

  • Merging with or Acquisition of Another Non-Profit

this grant opportunity will not support the following:

  • Endowments,

  • Fundraising events/sponsorship of events, or individuals.

funding parameters

Your organization can apply for:

  • One-year grants up to $25,000.

  • Up to one Growth and Sustainability Grant (either capacity building OR general operating support grant) during a 12-month period – you may apply for another open grant opportunities, such as E-Town Innovation

 

 

 

please check back at a later date for Capacity Building grants application timeline.

 

  • The ECF team is working to bring our community a more streamlined application expereince for our Capacity Builidng grant applicants.

 


Learn More

 

how to appply

 All application materials must be submitted through ECF's online grant system (GLM). Applications may be submitted at any time throughout the grant schedule. The grants committee will make funding decisions approximately two months after proposal submission for Capacity Building grants and General Operating grants. View the Calendar for application dates. If you need access to a computer or assistance submitting online, call 847-492-0990 or email ECF Program Officer, Jenna Beltrano. 

application materials 

Applicants can find all applications and their respective questions and materials — through our GLM online grants system. For the General Operating grant application will need to submit the following materials: 

  1. Current fiscal year operating budget including revenue sources (if you have it) 
  2. Prior fiscal year operating budget including revenue sources (if you have it)
  3. Prior fiscal year budget-to-actuals
  4. A brief budget narrative to address any significant variances in the annual operating budget or actuals (if needed only)
  5. Demographics of executive staff leadership, full time staff, and board members
  6. Diversity/Equal Opportunity/Racial Equity Policy