Our community-led grantmaking approach places power in the hands of those most impacted by funding decisions. This method doesn’t just allocate funds; it channels them directly to the heart of community needs and priorities, ensuring every dollar makes a real difference.
By involving community members directly in the decision-making process, we elevate their voices and choices, making the process not only more transparent but also more accountable and effective. It’s about more than just funding—it’s about building a foundation of trust and partnership that transforms how results are achieved.
At the heart of our mission to foster innovation and support nonprofit sustainability, we've established grant committees. Each committee is powered by 10 to 12 visionary members, including one board member, ensuring a blend of fresh perspectives.
Our members are carefully selected from a rich pool of Leadership Evanston alumni and Advocates for Action, along with other notable community leadership programs. This diverse group not only brings a wealth of experience from various sectors but also reflects a broad spectrum of racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds. Their unique insights are crucial in shaping our approach to grant-making, ensuring we support the most impactful initiatives.
By harnessing diverse viewpoints, we drive forward-thinking solutions that significantly impact our community's growth and resilience.
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. While this grant opportunity is intended to provide general operating grants, under unique circumstances ECF may restrict grants to maintain compliance with internal policies and commitment to stewarding funds for charitable purposes. Should this situation arise for your organization or group at any time during the application process, an ECF staff member will reach out to you with more information
The Evanston Community Foundation offers Community-Led Grants in two cycles, Fall and Spring. These grants are for general operating purposes only. we are committed to empowering grassroots community groups and emerging nonprofits that prioritize racial equity in their mission, vision, and values. Our goal is to provide unrestricted, flexible funding to support essential operations and initiatives that address systemic inequities within the Evanston community. Join us in strengthening Evanston and fostering a more just future for all.
Fall 2025 Cycle: Community-Led Grant Applications Now Open!
The Evanston Community Foundation offers Community-Led Grants in two cycles, Fall and Spring. These grants are for general operating purposes only. we are committed to empowering grassroots community groups and nonprofits that prioritize racial equity in their mission, vision, and values. Our goal is to provide unrestricted, flexible funding to support essential operations and initiatives that address systemic inequities within the Evanston community. Join us in strengthening Evanston and fostering a more just future for all.
