Evanston Community Foundation
The Evanston Community Foundation is a public charity based in Evanston, Illinois, formed in 1986. It mobilizes community resources to drive systemic social change and build a thriving, resilient Evanston, supporting local organizations and initiatives through grantmaking and community programs.
Evanston Community Foundation at a glance
In short: Evanston Community Foundation gave $2.6M across 104 grants in 2024 (avg $25K), top state Illinois. 37% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,614,154
- +98.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 104
- +85.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $25,136
- +6.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $18,117
- Total assets
- $44,660,002
- +14.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 37% first-time grantees (38 of 104, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (13% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Evanston Community Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
The Spring 2026 community-led grant application document describes an eligibility quiz before the full application and requirements including an Evanston address, service to the Evanston community, and at least one…
The Spring 2026 community-led grant application document describes an eligibility quiz before the full application and requirements including an Evanston address, service to the Evanston community, and at least one year of operation. Because that document is for a past cycle, those instructions should not be treated as current application requirements. The foundation’s website identifies the Resilience Grant, Building the Future, and Partners for the Future as currently open.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1560 Sherman Ave Suite 535, Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: (847) 492-0990
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from Evanston Community Foundation
Building the Future
Evanston Community Foundation
Amount
Up to $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Catalyst Grants
Evanston Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Collective & Enduring Grants
Evanston Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Evanston Community Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Chicago ($300K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
342 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 292 grants of 342 (85%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated grantmaking and program focus is Evanston, Illinois. The 2024 filing also reports grants to recipients in other states, but the recipient-state breakdown lists one state as unspecified.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 104 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Evanston Community Foundation open to new grantees?
37%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 38 of 104 grantees (37%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $29K; repeat grants $23K. How we count
Medians: $11K first-time, $20K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2022) to $5.6M (2020). In 2024 it made 104 grants totaling $2.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | 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 |
Ready to take the next step with Evanston Community Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $44,660,002 | $7,573,677 | $5,361,606 | $2,614,154 | 104 | $2,099,366 |
| 2023 | $38,909,023 | $4,514,255 | $4,438,677 | $1,318,322 | 56 | $343,007 |
| 2022 | $34,975,020 | $3,787,039 | $4,435,311 | $1,141,956 | 37 | $429,670 |
| 2021 | $38,360,058 | $5,518,547 | $4,513,584 | $1,307,007 | 53 | $1,608,584 |
| 2020 | $33,831,110 | $9,345,048 | $7,554,347 | $5,643,940 | 92 | $791,605 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to mobilize community resources to drive systemic social change and build a thriving, resilient Evanston. It says it does this by investing in the community with a long-term, sustainable perspective; empowering leaders to foster innovation and collaboration; and prioritizing community voice and choice.
Its grantmaking supports nonprofits, grassroots groups, social initiatives, and strategic partnerships. The foundation also describes work to strengthen Evanston nonprofits through partnerships, collaborations, and workshops, and to support leadership development and community engagement.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 104 grants totaling $2,614,154. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $300,000, with a median of $18,117. Selected awards included $300,000 to the University of Chicago, $178,320 to Evanston Public Library, $158,379 to Evanston Township High School District 202, and $94,830 to Evanston Community Foundation. The foundation classified the University of Chicago award as donor advised and the two agency awards as agency fund distributions. The University of Chicago describes its mission as sustaining excellence in communicating and creating knowledge and fostering a dynamic community of scholars and students.
The foundation’s website lists several grant opportunities. Its currently open ECF Resilience Grant supports specified community needs, including unexpected losses of funding, assistance related to the impact of mass deportations, crisis-response convenings, established mutual aid and cash assistance, and emergency mental health support. Building the Future is an ongoing cohort program offering a major-gift match of up to $25,000 and coaching. Partners for the Future offers Evanston nonprofits a major-gift match of up to $100,000, with sustainability coaching and support.
The website also describes Collective and Enduring Grants for collaborations addressing long-term challenges in Evanston, and Catalyst Grants for eligible nonprofits, grassroots groups, and businesses with a charitable purpose. It states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals or inquiries for these two programs.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sharon Robinson as board chair, Laura-Min Proctor as vice chair, Bryant Wallace as secretary, and Matthew Feldman as treasurer. It also lists Alli Henry, Anne Vela-Wagner, Barbara Hiller, Betty Cohns, Bob Easter, and Chris Rothwell as directors.
Evanston Community Foundation is led by Sol Anderson, President & CEO on every filing since 2021; 6 of 27 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sol Anderson
President & CEO
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$85K (2021) → $172K (2024)
Kimberly Holmes-Ross
Executive Director Ec2c
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$131K (2024)
Sharon Robinson
Board Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Graham
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lee Hart
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda Gerber
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marcel Sallis
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Walker
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Brenner
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sandeep Ghaey
Director
Secretary → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Gordon
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Hiller
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Betty Cohns
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Rothwell
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anne Vela-Wagner
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bob Easter
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cindy Castro
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alli Henry
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Witherspoon
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Cacayuran
Vice President Com Investment
Vice President for Community Investment → Vice President Com Investment, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$84K (2020) → $62K (2024)
Cynthia Dominguez
COO
Vice President Finance & Ops → Vice President Finance & Operations, 2023
Vice President Finance & Operations → COO, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$87K (2022) → $132K (2024)
Rebecca Parmet
Vice President of Development
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$119K (2023) → $123K (2024)
Karli Butler
Vice President Com Leadership & Investment
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$92K (2024)
Bryant Wallace
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Larry Singer
Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Past Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Feldman
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura-Min Proctor
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Bart Rocca (2020–2023) — Director - Left Q3
- Former: Todd Wiener (2020–2023) — Director - Left Q3
- Former: Eric Witherspoo N. (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Blake Noel (2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Jan Fischer (2020–2022) — CFO
- Former: Lisa Altenbernd (2020–2022) — Past Chair
- Former: Tania Margonza (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Maricar Ramos (2021–2022) — Exe Director Ec2c
- Former: Carolyn Lickerman (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Diana Cohen (2020–2021) — Past Chair
- Former: Elspeth Revere (2020–2021) — Interim President & CEO
- Former: Gene Servillo (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Joi Russell (2020–2021) — Vice President for Philanthropy & Communications
- Former: Judy Witt (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Michele Berg (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Monique Jones (2020) — President & CEO
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $172K, to Sol Anderson (President and CEO). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Evanston Community Foundation
How much does Evanston Community Foundation give each year?
Evanston Community Foundation gave $2.6M across 104 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.3M across 56 grants.
What is Evanston Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Evanston Community Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $18,117, and its average grant was $25,136, across 104 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Evanston Community Foundation that year got $29K on average.
Where does Evanston Community Foundation give grants?
Evanston Community Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 13% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Does Evanston Community Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 104 grants with a stated purpose on Evanston Community Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donor Advised" (39 grants), "Special Project" (19 grants) and "Grassroots/Emerging Nonprofits" (12 grants).
Who are Evanston Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Evanston Community Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of Chicago ($300,000), Evanston Public Library ($178,320) and Evanston Township High School District 202 ($158,379), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Evanston Community Foundation?
Evanston Community Foundation reported $44.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.6M.
What does Evanston Community Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to mobilize community resources to drive systemic social change and build a thriving, resilient Evanston. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Evanston Community Foundation?
The Spring 2026 community-led grant application document describes an eligibility quiz before the full application and requirements including an Evanston address, service to the Evanston community, and at least one… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Evanston Community Foundation's EIN?
Evanston Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3466802. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Evanston Community Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 30, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 3, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Evanston Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Evanston Community Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/evanston-community-foundation-morg_2b0940c89da0463fbd573965758a29bb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363466802_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Evanston Community Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/evanston-community-foundation-morg_2b0940c89da0463fbd573965758a29bb},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Evanston Community Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Evanston Community Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?