over $867,000 in grants announced
May 31, 2019 | ECF Press Release
ECF announced competitive and strategic grants totaling over $867,000 for 2019/2020.
The 2019 Grant Awards Celebration and Annual Meeting was held on May 30, 2019.
opening remarks
ECF President and CEO Monique B. Jones opened the event with the State of the Foundation remarking, “At the Community Foundation, we invest financial and intellectual resources in the nonprofit and community organizations working on the front lines of Evanston’s greatest challenges. We believe this collaborative approach is the only way to make a meaningful and lasting impact in our community. I’m humbled by the generosity of our donors, fund holders, and our grantmaking partners who helped ECF invest more than $867,000 in Evanston this evening,”
honoring exemplary board service
Board Chair Lisa Altenbernd presented the Jim Kogen Foundation Spirit Award for exemplary board leadership. The 2019 award was awarded to Gene Servillo, “Gene has been an energetic and tireless leader within the Foundation. He is endlessly generous toward the Foundation with the gift of his time, inspiring fellow board members to work toward ECF’s vision of a vibrant, equitable, and inclusive community.”
responsive grants announced
A total of $372,600 in Responsive Grants was awarded to 25 organizations serving Evanston residents. Vice President for Programs, Marybeth Schroeder said, “These grants advance the Foundation’s strategic goals of equity, collaboration, and a thriving nonprofit community. We’re proud to work with these creative and dedicated organizations in Evanston.”
The 2019 Responsive Grant Award recipients include: Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County, Art Encounter, Books and Breakfast, Center for Independent Futures, Children’s Advocacy Center of North and Northwest County, Children’s Home & Aid, Community Organizing and Family Issues, Connections for the Homeless, Erie Family Health Center, The Evanston Alliance, Evanston Public Library, Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse, Evanston Scholars in collaboration with The Chessmen Club of the North Shore, Evanston Symphony Orchestra Association, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana, Housing Opportunities for Women, Interfaith Action of Evanston, James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy, Learning Bridge Early Education Center, McGaw YMCA, Mudlark Theater, Piven Theater Workshop, Ridgeville Park District, Trilogy, Inc., and Youth & Opportunity United.
recognizing grants program recipients
Representatives of the grant recipient organizations posed together after the celebration.
The Foundation also recognized the grantees from all of its grant programs, including Communityworks, Partners for the Future, Building the Future, root2fruit, Rolling, and Community Catalyst Grants. Grantee information for all of these programs can be found at www.evanstonforever.org.
Additionally, Sheila Merry, Executive Director of Evanston Cradle to Career (EC2C), highlighted grants to EC2C partners addressing systems change in Evanston. Advocates For Action, the community engagement council of EC2C, awarded the first grassroots community building grants this year. They were announced by Advocates coordinator Kimberly Holmes-Ross. ECF is the fiscal sponsor for EC2C and was designated by EC2C to coordinate grants strategy and processes for funds received from United Way of Metropolitan Chicago.
nudm grantmaking partner
Northwestern University Dance Marathon (NUDM) 2020 Co-Chairs Rachel Cantor and Eliana Scobey announced the Evanston community NUDM’s 2020 primary beneficiary, Children’s Home & Aid. NUDM annually contributes 10% of their proceeds to secondary beneficiary ECF, supporting grants and programs, totaling nearly $1.3 million during their 22-year partnership with the Foundation.
about the foundation
Founded in 1986, the Evanston Community Foundation helps Evanston thrive now and forever as a just, vibrant and inclusive community. It builds, connects, and distributes resources and knowledge to Evanston – not just one group, neighborhood or issue – all of Evanston. ECF stands ready to be a thought partner, a collaborator, an investor, a facilitator, and most of all a convener to grow impact. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.