Evanston Community Foundation (ECF)

Community foundations represent the fastest growing segment of philanthropy and have become the key agents in increasing place-based philanthropy. Evanston Community Foundation (ECF) exemplifies this growth and increased impact. ECF builds, connects, and distributes resources and knowledge through local organizations for the common good of all of Evanston. Established in 1986 the Foundation has awarded over $9 million in funding to the Evanston community to support a more vibrant, just and inclusive community. Today ECF has grown from assets of $3 million in 2001 to $34 million in 2022. Unrestricted and board-directed endowment funds are ECF’s core of funds (64%) while another 80 funds serve diverse purposes defined by community organizations and donors. With these assets, ECF exercises a community leadership role and provides for the common good of residents by building the organizational capacity of Evanston’s nonprofit sector via grants, technical assistance and collaborations that meet shared goals.

At the end of 2021, the ECF Board approved a bold new strategic plan with three core goals: 

1. Promote and advocate for systemic racial justice and equitable opportunity by uniting partners across philanthropy, nonprofits, business, and government, to permanently strengthen our community. 
2. Inspire and galvanize community giving to respond to immediate and future needs, focus on racial justice, and build future philanthropic leaders. 
3. Harness community expertise of those most impacted by structural racism to identify and invest in holistic solutions, resulting in a more equitable and interconnected community that works for all. 

ECF is accredited by National Standards and is a member of the Alliance of Illinois Foundations maintaining a commitment to use best practices for community foundations across the country.

The staff is 14 full-time and 1 part-time employees supported by a dedicated board of community and business leaders.