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focus on what you care about

While putting the Foundation’s extensive knowledge of Evanston’s challenges and assets to work for you.

Already have a donor advised fund or a private foundation? If so, our Grantmaking Partners program is an opportunity to connect those resources with current proposals of local organizations. You can make a difference for Evanston and its people, broaden your giving without the burden or exposure of soliciting proposals, and you'll be helping ECF to say YES to more good ideas! We also welcome inquiries from donor advisors or private foundations looking for opportunities to focus a group of local organizations on a particular issue. For example, learn more about ABC Boosters or Partners for the Future.

access to well-vetted proposals 

Grantmaking Partners have access to proposals that match their philanthropic goals and interests — proposals that have already been evaluated by our Grants Committees as having the greatest promise of helping make Evanston a more vibrant, diverse and inclusive community, during the funding period and beyond.

fund specific initiatives

Grantmaking Partners fund specific initiatives, not general operations, and through our oversight and follow-up, you will know the outcomes of your giving. The Evanston Community Foundation offers this program in our role as a hub of philanthropic and nonprofit life in Evanston. Grantmaking Partner gifts are distributed through the spring Responsive Grants cycle and the quarterly Rolling Grants cycle; providing a deeper funding pool to ECF — the privilege of saying “yes” to more worthy organizations and ideas.

To get started, contact Karli Butler, Program Officer.