OUR WHY

INVESTING IN EVANSTON'S FUTURE

For now and for generations to come, we strive to be a supportive partner to Evanston’s non-profit sector, grassroots groups, and small businesses. Collectively, these entities not only represent some of the best parts of our community but are also often the first line of defense in times of health, environmental, and social crises.

A COMMITMENT TO EVANSTON

For Evanston to be a city where all community members can thrive, we know we must be holistic, strategic, and intentional about how to best Invest in Evanston over the long-term. Our commitments include:

• Supporting a thriving Evanston community through grantmaking that advances racial equity, seeds innovation, and fosters collaboration

• Capacity building for nonprofits and grassroots groups, ensuring organizations can adapt and sustain their work in an ever-changing socio-political landscape

• Strengthening Evanston’s ecosystem of change agents, including deepening connections among organizations and championing collective action to advance a more equitable world

HOW WE'RE INVESTING IN EVANSTON TODAY

Community-Led Grantmaking

has long been at the heart of our grantmaking philosophy. We trust that community members know Evanston and what its people need best, and that those most impacted by issues know the best solutions. This is why we engage community members to sit on grantmaking committees and steer our funding recommendations.

Professional Development

opportunities are essential to strengthening Evanston’s nonprofit community. We partner with content experts to host workshops and trainings that are open to all community members. These sessions cover a wide

range of topics including:

• Board development

• Effective communication

• Advancing organizational equity

Offering of Shared Services

is one way we provide long-term, comprehensive support to the nonprofit sector. We hear from our community about many of the challenges local organizations face, which is why we’re developing sustainable solutions to benefit the whole sector. These services include a group health insurance initiative, back-end support in operations, and access to spaces for networking and collaboration.

“ ECF gives us a playbook of what to do when challenges arise. They show us how foundations can use their role as funders to create connections and build relationships. ECF brings people together and provides a practical path forward. One where our collective visions of a more kind, more compassionate, more just Evanston become a reality.”

A LASTING IMPACT

By making a gift to our endowed Forever Fund, you will ensure our ability to Invest in Evanston both now and in perpetuity.