Community convener: Bringing the community together

Our next board cultivation workshop, Financial Management Responsibilities of Not-For-Profit Board Members, is a collaboration with the Illinois CPA Society. It will be held on Thursday, March 25 from 6:30 - 8:30pm at the Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Street.

Participants will:

• learn how to determine if good financial systems, policies and controls are in place
• realize the board's role in the organization's audit; learn about new auditing standards
• discuss the basics of financial statements and their relevance to the board
• understand how to draw the line between board and staff responsibilities
• identify critical reporting requirements

Who should attend?

• not-for-profit board members
• individuals considering joining a not-for-profit board
• executive directors and other staff members working with boards on financial management
• teams of staff and board members representing not-for-profit organizations

The program fee is $30 per person and light refreshments will be provided. To register for the workshop, click here. For more information, click here for the printable flyer. 

The agenda for the Evanston Community Foundation is a stronger, more cohesive community. The Foundation brings community members together to discuss critical issues and determine shared concerns and interests. Objectivity, credibility, and inclusiveness are qualities that we bring to this mission. In our role as community convenor, the Foundation:

• advises local not-for profits about best practices
• connects programs and agencies to increase the positive results for Evanston
• invites citizens, experts, and leaders to define and address issues of common concern
• builds funds that address needs identified and defined in community conversations

With assistance from other organizations and Evanston residents who volunteer their expertise, we organize programs and workshops for local not-for-profits on board cultivation, grant-writing, planned giving, and family philanthropy. Evaluations tell us that local agencies are eager for more of these activities, and we are ideally suited to offer them.

The Communityworks Initiative gives us the incentive to focus convening efforts on childcare, workforce training, and land use. Since 2006, the Fundation has been committed to community change initiative, Every Child Ready for Kindergarten, Every Youth Ready for Work. The proposed state budget cuts to early childhood and social service programs will have a direct impact on Foundation initiatives. As an organization, the Evanston Community Foundation:

• opposes cuts in the state budget for these services
• encourages all residents to follow events in Springfield
• encourages residents to support measures that preserve services essential to families