Community convener: Bringing the community together

The agenda for the Evanston Community Foundation is a stronger, more cohesive community. The Foundation brings community members together to discuss critical issues and determine shared concerns and interests. Objectivity, credibility, and inclusiveness are qualities that we bring to this mission. In our role as community convenor, the Foundation:

• advises local not-for profits about best practices
• connects programs and agencies to increase the positive results for Evanston
• invites citizens, experts, and leaders to define and address issues of common concern
• builds funds that address needs identified and defined in community conversations

With assistance from other organizations and Evanston residents who volunteer their expertise, we organize programs and workshops for local not-for-profits on board cultivation, grant-writing, planned giving, and family philanthropy. Evaluations tell us that local agencies are eager for more of these activities, and we are ideally suited to offer them.

The Communityworks Initiative gives us the incentive to focus convening efforts on childcare, workforce training, and land use. Since 2006, the Fundation has been committed to community change initiative, Every Child Ready for Kindergarten, Every Youth Ready for Work. The proposed state budget cuts to early childhood and social service programs will have a direct impact on Foundation initiatives. As an organization, the Evanston Community Foundation:

• opposes cuts in the state budget for these services
• encourages all residents to follow events in Springfield
• encourages residents to support measures that preserve services essential to families