Evanston Community Foundation


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	responsive grants

•	grant-making faq

ECF's grant-making philosophy and process

What is the Foundation's grantmaking philosophy?

To encourage and support new initiatives and innovative approaches to addressing community needs;
To build the capacity of local nonprofit organizations to fulfill their mission more effectively (Capacity building is defined as an investment in an organization's growth and stability to allow it to accomplish its mission more effectively and/or serve a broader constituency.
To encourage collaborative ventures that show promise of strengthening the community beyond the scope and timeline of the proposed project.

What areas of concern, problem or need has the Foundation identified?

Arts and Culture
Basic Human Needs
Boys
Community Development
Early Childhood Education
Family Support/Counseling
Health
Housing
Environment
Women and Girls
Workforce Development
Youth/Education
Discrete activities that will enhance the capacity of an organization to meet community needs

Specifically, what kinds of things get funded?

Provision of direct services
Planning and research
Special conferences and workshops
Parental involvement/participation
Board and staff development
Application of technology
Program evaluation

What types of organizations are eligible to receive grants?

Organizations that serve Evanston residents
Emerging and established organizations
Organizations that are qualified as 501(c)(3) as aforementioned by the Internal Revenue Service (an applicant organization may also operate under the fiscal agency of another organization that is qualified as a 501(c)(3) organization).

Typically grants are:

For one year (A second-year grant is possible if the organization can demonstrate compelling circumstances to continue funding such as the need for funds in order to complete the program.)
Partial or full support of a program
For one-time activities or for the initial phase of an ongoing program
“Seed” money for a new project or “capstone” money to get larger and longer-term projects started
Range from $700-$15,000 (average $6,750)
Paid out in two installments

How are proposals evaluated?

How well does the proposal fit with the Foundation's mission and grantmaking philosophy?
Does the proposal address a critical concern, problem or need in Evanston and/or present a significant opportunity for the community?
Are the objectives realistic and is the organization capable of attaining them?
Is the project budget appropriate to the objectives and expected outcomes?
Is there a solid plan to sustain the project over time?
Are the plans for assessing the results and impact of the project sufficient?
Will an ECF grant build a capacity critical to the organization's stability or growth?

What are the responsibilities of the Grants Committee?
Members of the Grants Committee:

Represent the community as citizens and experts;
Match requests received from organizations with community needs and donors' interests; and
Make recommendations to the ECF Board of Directors (Technically speaking, the ECF Directors award the grants.)

The Grants Committee makes recommendations to the ECF Directors after evaluating every proposal individually and after deciding which mix of proposals offer the greatest potential for addressing community needs and opportunities across the breadth of the Foundation's funding areas.

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