Partners for the Future

Since 2010, Evanston Community Foundation has had an extraordinary opportunity to invest in the capacity of high-performing Evanston organizations.

Anonymous donors have contributed over $1 million to create the Partners for the Future Fund at the Foundation in order to provide matching funds in the range of $50,000 to $100,000 to help build organizations’ ability to increase major gifts, as well as other intiatives to build nonprofit development capacity. Beginning in 2017, the Fund also has supported Building the Future, a cohort training program for smaller organizations to build their fundraising capacity.

1:1 matching gift challenge grants

Partners for the Future is a long-term project. Over a number of years, a succession of organizations will be awarded 1:1 matching gift challenge grants to double their donors' new and increased giving. Each organization has twelve months to meet its fundraising objectives. Funds can be used for current operations, held in operating reserves, or used to create or add to endowments.

grant process

Partners for the Future is by invitation only for Evanston based nonprofits.

matching challenge successes

Since 2010 eight organizations have successfully completed a Partners for the Future major gifts challenge.

2020-2021 Books & Breakfast $100,000
2018-2019 Youth Job Center $100,000
2017-2018 James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy $100,000
2015-2016 Evanston Scholars $100,000
2014-2015 Center for Independent Futures $100,000
2013-2014 Housing Options (Impact Behavioral Health Partners) $50,000
2011-2012 Connection for the Homeless $100,000
2010-2011 YWCA Evanston/North Shore $50,000