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Evanston Community Foundation Inc

EIN 36-3466802 · Evanston, IL

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE EVANSTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MOBILIZES COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO DRIVE SYSTEMIC SOCIAL CHANGE AND BUILD A THRIVING, RESILIENT EVANSTON. WE ACHIEVE THIS BY: INVESTING IN COMMUNITY WITH A LONG-TERM AND SUSTAINABLE PERSPECTIVE, EMPOWERING LEADERS TO FOSTER INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION, AND PRIORITIZING COMMUNITY VOICE AND CHOICE.

Income
$7.6 million
Spending
$5.4 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
38.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 72%
Employees
21
Volunteers
51
Highest pay
$192,870, president and ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 38.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 68% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $1.8 million spent. THROUGH ITS GRANTMAKING THE FOUNDATION DISTRIBUTES RESOURCES THROUGH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR PUBLIC GOOD. SINCE 2020 WE'VE ADAPTED GRANTMAKING TO MEET COMMUNITY NEED, INCLUDING ADDING OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT COLLECTIVE AND ENDURING INITIATIVES AND PROVIDING OPERATING SUPPORT. WE WILL CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO COMMUNITY TO KEEP OUR GRANTMAKING FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING COMMUNITY PRIORITIES. (Expenses $ 480,204 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 25,615) THE FOUNDATION STRENGTHENS EVANSTON'S NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS, DELIVERS WORKSHOPS FOR NONPROFITS, RUNS OUR LEADERSHIP EVANSTON PROGRAM, AND PROMOTES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
  2. $1.5 million spent. THE FOUNDATION FOSTERS PRIVATE PHILANTHROPY AND BUILDS ENDOWED FUNDS TO SUSTAIN OUR COMMUNITY; IT ALSO ADMINISTERS DONOR-ADVISED AND OTHER NON-ENDOWED FUNDS TO BUILD AND DISTRIBUTE RESOURCES FOR MORE IMMEDIATE NEEDS.
  3. $697,703 spent. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS AN EMPOWERED, ENGAGED COMMUNITY THAT COLLABORATES ACROSS SECTORS TO DEFINE PROBLEMS AND DEVELOP SOLUTIONS. (Expenses $ 480,204 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 25,615) THE FOUNDATION STRENGTHENS EVANSTON'S NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS, DELIVERS WORKSHOPS FOR NONPROFITS, RUNS OUR LEADERSHIP EVANSTON PROGRAM, AND PROMOTES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
  4. $480,204 spent. THE FOUNDATION STRENGTHENS EVANSTON'S NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS, DELIVERS WORKSHOPS FOR NONPROFITS, RUNS OUR LEADERSHIP EVANSTON PROGRAM, AND PROMOTES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1987.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.