The Evanston Community Foundation has been a hub for community listening, local leadership development training, and hands-on learning for nearly 40 years. Marked by the launch of Leadership Evanston in 1993, the community foundation created a commitment to harness the brilliance and experience of our community to strengthen Evanston. Now, 30 years later, we are proud to have expanded our programmatic offerings to connect and equip leaders.
Founded in 2024, Ubuntu Leadership Institute (ULI) is a resource for impactful talent development and leadership training, focused on nurturing socially conscious leaders. Our programs cater to leaders at all stages of their journey, providing a unique and tailored learning experience.
Are you a local resident, worker, or student in Evanston interested in developing your leadership skills or learning more about the Evanston community? Then ULI is for you! Browse our program offerings for more information.
Ubuntu Leadership Institute was created to foster the leader in everyone at every stage of your professional development journey. Whether you're a recent graduate looking to connect deeper with the Evanston community or a more seasoned professional, you can benefit from our unique community-centered approach to leadership and hands-on collaborative opportunities. Read on to see which program is right for you.
the Community Foundation’s Board Leadership Training is launching to prepare BIPOC-identifying community members for service on nonprofit boards, as well as city committees, commissions, and task forces. This program aims to equip participants with essential skills and knowledge for effective service while fostering meaningful discussions on diversity, equity, and inclusion within board development. Our first cohort will be guided by Tracy Fulce-Gentle and Dr. Esther Wallen from The Eight Effect, an Evanston-based organization known for enhancing board readiness through their culturally responsive and inclusive 'Board Bootcamp' curriculum. Board Leadership Training is designed for individuals with limited or no experience on nonprofit boards. Register Now.
Are you a person of color interested in joining a local board in Evanston and you're not quite sure where to start? Our board leadership training is just for you! Learn the ins and outs of board service, connect with local leaders, and increase your impact in Evanston. For more information click here.
Signature Leadership Evanston (LE) program is a 10-month program that brings together community leaders from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences to learn from each other and create lasting change together. This is a non-certificate program that runs from September through June. During that time participants:
Are you an LE Alum looking for more opportunities to connect with the Evanston community? Check out our new LE Alum portal here for more!