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RESILIENCE GRANTS

Designed with community-need in mind, these special grants allow the Foundation to remain responsive and supportive of our local organizations, and the communities they serve in an ever-changing landscape.

Please note that we are not able to fund all requests through this grant opportunity and cannot guarantee funding to any applicant. ECF will offer multiple cycles of this Resilience grant opportunity until all funds are allocated.


Note: The second round of Resilience Grants applications will open July 14, 2025. This will be the final round of funding for this grant cycle in 2025. Please take this time to check your organization's eligibility by reading the RFPs below.

Learn More: Read Full Resilience Grants RFP Here
Learn More: Read Full Resilience Grants RFP Here (Español)

Check Your Eligibility Now:

  • Applicants must fit into one of the following categories:

    1) Nonprofit Organizations: 501c3 organizations, 501c6 organizations, and community organizations fiscally sponsored by a 501c3 nonprofit organization. 

    2) Grassroots Community Groups: Any group of community members working together to address a community need. These groups have no 501c3, 501c6 or fiscal sponsorship.

  • All Resilience Grant requests must align with one or more of the following categories of need: 

     

    1) Addressing an unexpected loss of funds occurring after January 1st, 2025 (government, private, other significant funding streams)


    2) Providing support (such as Know Your Rights education or legal assistance) to mitigate the harmful impact of mass deportations in the Evanston Community 


    3) Convenings to organize multiple community partners to respond or create shared resources to avoid or manage a crisis in the Evanston Community 


    4) Established mutual aid services and cash assistance programs. This could include, but is not limited to mutual aid or cash assistance programs that support:  

    • Immigration documentation fees and legal services  
    • Access to basic human needs 
    • Items required to avoid or manage a crisis 
    • Healthcare fees for those who have lost coverage unexpectedly or are not eligible for coverage due to immigration status  
    • Offer Crisis Counseling services or emergency mental health support/first aid 

    If you need support assessing if your request aligns with these categories or if you have a request that does not fall into these categories but that you think aligns with the intention of the grant opportunity, please reach out to Director of Programs - Grantmaking, Jenna Beltrano beltrano@evanstonforever.org  

  • Your nonprofit organization or grassroots community group must also: 

    • Have an Evanston address and serve the Evanston community through their work and mission. If you need support assessing if your organization or group meets this requirement, please reach out to Director of Programs - Grantmaking, Jenna Beltrano beltrano@evanstonforever.org
    • Must have been awarded at least 1 successful grant from the Evanston Community Foundation within the past 4-years (2021 – 2025).  
    • Have an active status and maintain compliance with all 501c3 or 501c6 IRS Tax Code requirements throughout the application process if the lead applicant is a nonprofit organization or using a fiscal sponsor.