Community foundation · EIN 36-3466802
Evanston Community Foundation
Evanston, IL
Evanston Community Foundation is a community foundation based in Evanston, IL. On its Form 990 (Schedule I) for tax year 2024, it reported $3.06M in grants paid across 104 grants, with $44.7M in total assets. Its largest grants went to University of Chicago, Evanston Public Library and Evanston Township High School District 202.
How to request funding
Community foundations usually run open grant rounds for nonprofits in their area, alongside donor-advised funds that donors direct. Check Evanston Community Foundation's website for current grant opportunities, deadlines and eligibility.
How it makes and monitors grants (Schedule I, Part IV)
IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A GRANT, AN APPLICANT WILL TYPICALLY BE A 501(C)(3) OR OTHER ORGANIZATION QUALIFIED TO RECEIVE GIFT/GRANTS OR MUST HAVE A FISCAL SPONSOR; CURRENT TAX-EXEMPT STATUS IS VERIFIED USING THE GUIDESTAR CHARITY CHECK SERVICE. FOR MOST COMPETITIVE AND STRATEGIC GRANT CYCLES, ORGANIZATIONS SUBMIT PROPOSALS IN RESPONSE TO THE PARAMETERS OF A SPECIFIC GRANT PROGRAM, AND GRANTS ARE EVALUATED BY COMMITTEES COMPRISING COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES AND ECF BOARD MEMBERS. GRANTS MAY ALSO BE RECOMMENDED BY STAFF BASED UPON INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY. WITH NEEDS THAT EMERGED IN 2020, ECF OPENED UP GRANTMAKING TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT WERE NOT NECESSARILY a 501(C)(3). ECF CONTINUES TO ISSUE GRANTS TO NONTRADITIONAL APPLICANTS IN ORDER TO BEST SERVE THE NEEDS OF EVANSTON. DONOR ADVISED FUND GRANTS - GRANTS FROM A DONOR ADVISED FUND MAY BE APPROVED AND ISSUED IF THE FOUNDATION DETERMINES THAT ALL SEVEN OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET: (1) GRANT DOES NOT REQUIRE THE EXERCISE OF EXPENDITURE AUTHORITY; RECOMMENDED GRANTEES MUST BE 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATIONS, DESCRIBED IN SECTION 170(B)(1)(A), AND NOT BE CLASSIFIED AS SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE CODE SECTION 509(A)(3). THE FOUNDATION DOES NOT MAKE DISTRIBUTIONS TO ANY TYPE OF SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION. (2) GRANT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE PURPOSE, MISSION, PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES OF THE EVANSTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, INCLUDING THE FOUNDATION'S EQUAL OPPORTUNI
Grants as reported on its Form 990 for tax year 2024; the application guidance above is general for this type of funder. Requirements change; confirm with the organization before applying.
Mission
The evanston community foundation mobilizes community resources to drive systemic social change and build a thriving, resilient evanston.
As stated on its Form 990.
Largest grants, tax year 2024
Historical data · not a prediction| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Donor Advised | $300,000 |
| Evanston Public Library | — | Agency Fund distribution | $178,320 |
| Evanston Township High School District 202 | — | Agency Fund distribution | $158,379 |
| Evanston Community Foundation | — | Donor Advised | $94,830 |
| After School Matters | — | Donor Advised | $75,000 |
| Evergreen Climate Innovations | — | Donor Advised | $75,000 |
| Books & Breakfast | — | Nonprofit Growth & Sustainability | $65,000 |
| Rebuilding Exchange | — | Donor Advised | $50,150 |
| Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project | — | Nonprofit Growth & Sustainability | $45,000 |
| Padres Empoderados | — | Grassroots/Emerging Nonprofits | $45,000 |
| FirstRepair | — | EC2C Systems Change Distribution | $38,500 |
| C&W Foundation | Evanston, IL | Donor Advised | $36,000 |
| Evanston Latinos | — | Grassroots/Emerging Nonprofits | $35,000 |
| Reparations Stakeholder Authority of Evanston (RSAE) | — | ECRRF Collective & Enduring Grants | $30,000 |
| King Arts PTA | — | Special Project | $29,563 |
| James B Moran Center for Youth Advocacy | — | Nonprofit Growth & Sustainability | $29,450 |
| Connections for the Homeless | — | ECRRF Collective & Enduring Grants | $28,050 |
| YWCA EvanstonNorth Shore | — | EC2C Systems Change Distribution | $27,900 |
| Oakton School PTA | — | Special Project | $27,748 |
| Washington School PTA | — | Special Project | $27,489 |
| Open Studio Project | — | Grassroots/Emerging Nonprofits | $27,320 |
| Oscar M Chute Middle School PTA | — | Special Project | $25,846 |
| Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum | — | Nonprofit Growth & Sustainability | $25,500 |
| Kuumba Evanston | — | Grassroots/Emerging Nonprofits | $25,500 |
| McGaw YMCA | — | Nonprofit Growth & Sustainability | $25,500 |
The 25 largest of 104 grants listed on the return. Names and purposes as reported to the IRS.
Where its grants went
Quick answers
Does Evanston Community Foundation accept grant applications?
Community foundations usually run open grant rounds for nonprofits in their area, alongside donor-advised funds that donors direct. Check Evanston Community Foundation's website for current grant opportunities, deadlines and eligibility. Form 990 does not report an application process, so confirm with the organization.
How much does Evanston Community Foundation give each year?
For tax year 2024, it reported $3,056,210 in grants paid (104 grants). Giving can change from year to year.
What organizations has Evanston Community Foundation funded?
Its largest grants in tax year 2024 went to University of Chicago (IL), $300K, Evanston Public Library, $178K, Evanston Township High School District 202, $158K, Evanston Community Foundation, $94.8K and After School Matters, $75K.