Resilience Grants

Geographic Scope: Evanston, Illinois

Purpose: Designed with community-need in mind, these special grants allow the Foundation to remain responsive and supportive of local organizations and the communities they serve in an ever-changing landscape.

Funding Categories

All Resilience Grant requests must align with one or more of the following:

1. Addressing unexpected loss of funds occurring after January 1st, 2025 (government, private, or other significant funding streams)
2. Support for deportation mitigation such as Know Your Rights education or legal assistance to mitigate the harmful impact of mass deportations in the Evanston Community
3. Convenings to organize multiple community partners to respond or create shared resources to avoid or manage a crisis in the Evanston Community
4. Established mutual aid services and cash assistance programs, including:
   • Immigration documentation fees and legal services
   • Access to basic human needs
   • Items required to avoid or manage a crisis
   • Healthcare fees for those who have lost coverage unexpectedly or are not eligible due to immigration status
   • Crisis Counseling services or emergency mental health support/first aid

Eligibility

Who Can Apply:

• Nonprofit Organizations: 501(c)(3) organizations, 501(c)(6) organizations, and community organizations fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
• Grassroots Community Groups: Any group of community members working together to address a community need (no 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6), or fiscal sponsorship required)

Additional Requirements:

• Must have an Evanston address and serve the Evanston community through their work and mission
• Must have been awarded at least 1 successful grant from the Evanston Community Foundation within the past 4 years (2021-2025)
• Must have active status and maintain compliance with all 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) IRS Tax Code requirements throughout the application process

Important Notes

• The Foundation is not able to fund all requests and cannot guarantee funding to any applicant
• Second round of applications opened July 14, 2025 (noted as final round of 2025 funding cycle)
• Multiple cycles offered until all funds are allocated

Contact

Director of Programs - Grantmaking: Jenna Beltrano, beltrano@evanstonforever.org

For questions about whether your request aligns with grant categories or eligibility requirements, contact Jenna Beltrano.

Application Process

Detailed application instructions available in the full RFP documents:

• Read Full Resilience Grants RFP (English)
• Read Full Resilience Grants RFP (Español)

Login Portal: Grants Management Login available at evanstonforever.org