The Evanston Community Foundation (ECF) is currently seeking proposals from small to mid-size nonprofits in Evanston for its root2fruit grant program. The deadline for 2016 grant applications is Oct. 12. Three new organizations will be selected for grants of up to $10,000 each, and each organization that receives a grant is eligible to receive grants for the following two years, up to a maximum of $30,000. Root2fruit program grant and alumni grant applications are available at www.evanstonforever.org.
Funded by the Mammel Foundation and managed by the Evanston Community Foundation, the root2fruit program has benefited more than 40 organizations and awarded over $1 million in grants since its inception in 2002. In addition to receiving monetary grants, selected organizations also receive mentorship from an advisory board made up of experienced nonprofit executives and board members. Over the years, root2fruit grantee organizations have seen significant improvement in their budgets, fundraising and development capacity, boards, and ability to build their services.
Grant applications are due on Monday, Oct. 12 at 11:59 p.m. The application and guidelines can be found at http://evanstoncf.egrant.net. Selected organizations will be notified in December. Grants are for use by December 31, 2016, and are meant to allow root2fruit grantees to focus on increasing the effectiveness of their boards, increasing their fundraising capacity and improving their business practices.
“The idea behind root2fruit is that small organizations need technical assistance, as well as money, to continue to grow and remain sustainable organizations,” said Evanston Community Foundation Vice President for Programs Marybeth Schroeder. “The organizations that have participated in the past have learned so much from the experts who are part of the root2fruit advisory board.”
For more information on grant guidelines visit www.evanstonforever.org or contact Program Officer Rebecca Cacayuran at grants@evanstonforever.org or 847-492-0990