Evanston Community Foundation Offers Grants to Local Nonprofits

The Evanston Community Foundation is celebrating a 25th anniversary by sharing the wealth with local nonprofits.

The organization recently announced the Evanston Non-profits Develop Organizational Wealth Now grant program, which will award five local nonprofits with $5,000 matching grants.

"As a direct result of the Foundation's success in growing its endowment funds over the past decade, we can provide this opportunity for local non-profits to launch their own endowment building efforts," said ECF President and Chief Executive Officer Sara Schastok in a statement.

"We think there is no better expression of our mission than to encourage the formation of permanent funds to enhance the future of five organizations whose ongoing vitality is important to Evanston."

To be eligible for the grant, a nonprofit has to be based in Evanston and must have a track record of organizational stability and sustainability, and must not already have endowments at the Evanston Community Foundation.

"Prospective grantees must show evidence of an endowment building plan to meet or exceed a required $15,000 opening fund balance and submit plans to continue development of the fund as an integral part of their organizational stability," reads a statement about the program.

Applications will be received now through Sept. 28, 2012 or until all funds are distributed. Awards will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. The application can be found here: www.evanstonforever.org.