Field of Interest Funds

By establishing a Field of Interest Fund, you dedicate your gift to needs in an important area of community life that you define. The Evanston Community Foundation board then awards grants to community organizations and programs that are making a difference in the field you select. Your gift stays flexible to meet changing community needs.

You can make additional contributions at any time to the Field of Interest Fund you establish, as can others who share your interests. These endowed funds are permanent community funding resources.

Current Field of Interest Funds include:

The Acorn Fund (2003)
encourages activities to test creative new ideas with the aim of serving useful purposes
 
All Our Sons (2004)
supports boys and young men as they strive to become responsible members of the community
 
Arts in Community Fund (2003)
strengthens Evanston as an extraordinary arts community

Balkcom Family Fund (2006)
Promotes literacy and affordable housing
 
Communityworks Fund (2003)
identifies and supports systemic approaches to strengthen Evanston in areas of early childhood care and education, land use, and workforce training and devleopment; with contributing funds from
       Pearl & Sander Davis Fund for Communityworks

Cultural Diversity Initiative (2003)
fosters understanding maong ethnic and racial groups within early childhood education

Evanston United Way Fund
funds organizations recommended by Community Board of the Evanston chapter, United Way of the North Shore in the area of social and humna services

Leonard Fisher Fund for Nursing Education (2003)
funds continuing education for ICU nurses at Highland Park and Lake Forest Hospitals
 
Fund for Women & Girls
empowers women and girls through grants and community education

Green Communities Fund (2006)
encourages area residents to focus attention on environmental preservation and protection, resource conservation and green building
 
Leadership Fund (1993)
develops individuals' leadership skills in diverse groups through exploration of Evanston assets and challenges; with contributing funds from:
       Marybeth Schroeder Fund for Leadership

Lydia Martin Memorial Fund for Children and the Arts
funds hands-on arts education programs that benefit disadvantaged children and youth

Lorraine Hairston Morton Fund for Youth
supports organizations and projects to increase employemnt and educational opportunities for Evanston youth

Skokie Community Fund (2011)
funds immediate and long-term programming for the benefit and welfare of Skokie residents

Sweers' Fund for Children and the Arts
supports arts education for Evanston youth in grades 6 - 12

Faith Vilas Fund for Youth
provides for programs serving youth