Deadline: 7-Jun-21
The Evanston Community Foundation is seeking applications for its Community Innovation Grants Program to support organizations to be bold and innovative in solving today’s challenges, particularly as they all work to reimagine a more equitable Evanston in a post-COVID world.
Purpose
These grants are focused on supporting new or expanded innovative programs that:
- Prioritize equitable opportunities and outcomes for Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color (BIPOC)
- Support organizations working together to solve community challenges and change systems
- Embrace creative solutions that address community needs in ways that are more effective, equitable, or sustainable than standard approaches
Funding Priorities
They want Evanston to thrive as a vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community. They fund projects that:
- Focus on advancing equity, in particular racial equity and intersectionality
- Meaningfully engage key stakeholders to identify problems and include those directly affected by those problems
- Are collaborative in nature
Please note: They do not fund endowments, fundraising events or sponsorship of events, appeals for religious purposes (though faith-based organizations may apply for projects benefitting the general community), or individuals.
Funding Information
- Grant amounts range from $2,500 – $20,000. Proposals should have a project budget appropriate to the scope of the project.
- Grant period will be for a 12-month period.
Eligibility Criteria
Any group or organization providing services to Evanston residents can apply for a grant. All proposals must address issues, concerns, or opportunities in the Evanston community. Additionally, applicants must fit in one of the following categories:
- 501(c)(3) organization
- Local school districts or a government entity
- A project that has a fiscal sponsor that qualifies as a 501(c)(3) organization
- A for-profit organization, 501(c)(6) organization, or faith-based organization doing charitable work benefitting the general Evanston community
Note: New applicants, current grantees, former grantees, or previous applicants to any ECF grants program are eligible to apply. While your organization is only eligible for one Community Innovation grant per 12 month period, your organization may apply for other ECF grants during the same year.
For more information, visit https://evanstonforever.org/grants/grant-cycles/community-innovation-grants/