Evanston Community Foundation
The Evanston Community Foundation (ECF) is a 501(c)(3) community foundation established in 1986 and headquartered in Evanston, Illinois. The organization is dedicated to enriching Evanston and the lives of its people by building, connecting, and distributing resources and knowledge across the entire community. ECF operates as a thought partner, collaborator, investor, facilitator, and convener to grow community impact.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$44.7M
+14.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.6M
+98.3% YoY
Grant Count
104
+85.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$25K
+6.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To mobilize community resources to drive systemic social change and build a thriving and resilient Evanston.
Core Approach:
- Investing in the community with a sustainable and long-term perspective
- Empowering leaders to foster innovation and collaboration
- Prioritizing community voice and choice
Program Areas:
The Foundation supports an empowered, engaged community that collaborates across sectors to define problems and develop solutions. Key program activities include:
- Grantmaking: Distributing resources through local organizations for public good. Since 2020, the Foundation has adapted grantmaking to meet community needs, including adding opportunities to support collective and enduring initiatives and providing operating support.
- Philanthropic Development: Fostering private philanthropy and building endowed funds to sustain the community; administering donor-advised and other non-endowed funds to build and distribute resources for more immediate needs.
- Nonprofit Strengthening: Strengthening Evanston's nonprofit organizations through partnerships and collaborations, delivering workshops for nonprofits, running the Leadership Evanston program, and promoting community engagement.
Grantmaking
The Foundation distributes grants to support community priorities across Evanston. Recent grantmaking has included awards to organizations such as The University of Chicago.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Evanston, Illinois. The Foundation's focus is comprehensive—supporting not just one group, neighborhood, or issue, but all of Evanston.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $44,660,002
- Total Revenues: $7,573,677
- Total Expenses: $5,361,606
- Employees: 21
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $38.9M
- Total Revenues: $4.51M
- Total Expenses: $4.44M
- Total Liabilities: $10.9M
Tax-Exempt Status: Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since January 1987. EIN: 36-3466802.
Rating: The Foundation received a Four-Star rating with a 100% score based on Accountability & Finance metrics.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $44,660,002 | $38,909,023 | $34,975,020 |
| Revenue | $7,573,677 | $4,514,255 | $3,787,039 |
| Expenses | $5,361,606 | $4,438,677 | $4,435,311 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,099,366 | $343,007 | $429,670 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
237 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from Evanston Community Foundation
Building the Future
Evanston Community Foundation
Amount
Up to $25,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Catalyst Grants
Evanston Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Collective & Enduring Grants
Evanston Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Chicago ($300,000), Evanston Public Library ($178,320), Evanston Township High School District 202 ($158,379).
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key Staff:
- Jennifer Valdés Del Valle: Bilingual Program Manager - Grantmaking
- Cynthia A Dominguez: Chief Operating Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRYANT WALLACE | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| LAURA-MIN PROCTOR | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| MATTHEW FELDMAN | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| SHARON ROBINSON | BOARD CHAIR | 2 | — |
| ALLI HENRY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ANNE VELA-WAGNER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| Barbara Hiller | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| BETTY COHNS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| BOB EASTER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CHRIS ROTHWELL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CINDY CASTRO | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DAVID GRAHAM | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ERIC WITHERSPOON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| LARRY SINGER | PAST CHAIR | 2 | — |
| LEE HART | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| LINDA GERBER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MARCEL SALLIS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MICHAEL WALKER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| PAUL BRENNER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SANDEEP GHAEY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SARAH GORDON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CYNTHIA DOMINGUEZ | COO as of 10/24 | 40 | $131,606 |
| KARLI BUTLER | VP Com Leadership & Inv as of 8/24 | 40 | $91,813 |
| KIMBERLY HOLMES-ROSS | Executive Director EC2C as of 3/24 | 40 | $130,705 |
| REBECCA CACAYURAN | VP Com Investment thru 6/24 | 40 | $62,479 |
| REBECCA PARMET | VP OF DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $122,807 |
| SOL ANDERSON | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 40 | $171,658 |
Contact Information
Address: 500 Davis Street, Suite 702, Evanston, IL 60201-4623
Phone: 847-492-0990
Email: info@evanstonforever.org
Website: evanstonforever.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Evanston Community Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To mobilize community resources to drive systemic social change and build a thriving and resilient Evanston. **Core Approach:** • Investing in the community with a sustainable and long-term perspective • Empowering leaders to foster innovation and collaboration • Prioritizing community voice and choice **Program Areas:** The Foundation supports an empowered, engaged community that collaborates across sectors to define problems and develop solutions. Key program activities include: …
How do I apply for a grant from Evanston Community Foundation?
The Foundation distributes grants to support community priorities across Evanston. Recent grantmaking has included awards to organizations such as The University of Chicago. The Foundation maintains donor-advised funds through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds.
Where does Evanston Community Foundation make grants?
Evanston, Illinois. The Foundation's focus is comprehensive—supporting not just one group, neighborhood, or issue, but all of Evanston.
What size grants does Evanston Community Foundation award?
In 2024, Evanston Community Foundation awarded 104 grants totaling $2.6M — an average of about $25K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Evanston Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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