Annual Grants 

Since 1889, The Woman’s Club of Evanston has proudly supported organizations that make a difference in our community. This year, we are celebrating the 23rd year of the WCE’s Community Grants Program. Each year the Contributions Committee has designated an annual funding focus and not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizations are invited to submit grant applications.

For the 2023-2024 selection cycle, The Woman’s Club of Evanston sought grant applications from organizations with programs that promote physical wellness and emotional well-being, focused on but not limited to teens and seniors, in Evanston and the surrounding communities. The 2023-24 Contributions Committee is pleased that the WCE is able to support local programs that offer these services and is excited to announce the recipients of the following awards:

2025 Revue Beneficiary:
Chicago Ballet Arts: Proceeds will support The Parkinson’s Dance Project, an adaptive dance program for people with Parkinson’s and other upper motor neuron movement disorders. The program is tailored to those with differing abilities, in an open and supportive environment in which all can experience the benefits of dance. The mission of the program is to connect the mind to movement and music; evoking expression, creativity and connection.

2025 Spring Benefit Beneficiary:
Shorefront Legacy Center: Proceeds will support The Reparations Publishing Project, the intergenerational creation of a printed magazine journal with website companion, chronicling the stories of 75 older Black Evanstonians who received reparations grants, a historical first-ever event in the Reparations Movement. High school students will interview the seniors and be involved in the Journal’s production.

2024 Grant Awards:
Boys Hope Girls Hope — Improved Physical & Emotional Wellness and Resilience through Fitness and Sport. Funding will support their teen scholars by providing access to the YMCA and club sports like crew, sailing, cheerleading and the dance team.

C24/7 Father’s Arms Ministries — After School Program for Pre-Teens and Teens. Funding will address academic support and mentorship, physical activities and meals.

Evanston Grows — Nourishing Bodies and Feeding Souls: Evanston Grows Expands Programs That Promote Senior Wellness in the Fifth Ward. Funding will support Senior Activity Thursdays and Community Dinners.

Evanston Latinos — Promotoras Program. Funding will support the specialized Promotoras training of lay women in the Hispanic community to become basic health education providers. They will conduct workshops and focus groups addressing healthcare and community issues.

Evanston Scholars —The College Success Program enriched by the Mental Health Support Initiative. Funding will address the rising mental health issues among the Scholars’ college students.

Girl Forward — Mentoring Program for Teen Refugees. Funding will support their Mentoring Program that creates a strong and supportive community for girls who have fled conflict and persecution, providing them with the resources and opportunities they need to reach their potential.

Girl Scouts — Scouting for Girls Living in Foster Care. Funding will support the Girl Scout program for pre-teens and teens at Lydia Home, a therapeutic foster care facility in Evanston, through arts & crafts and camping.

Girls Play Sports — Youth Advisory Board (YAB) Wellness Workshops. Funding will support YAB high school girls as they plan and organize wellness and empowerment workshops for girls in grades 6-8.

Have Dreams — Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Counseling Services. Funding will address the increased demand for mental health services that was exacerbated by the pandemic.

Institute for Therapy through the Arts (ITA) — Creative Arts Therapy and Community Partners Financial Aid Program. Funding will allow ITA to serve individuals, who would otherwise be denied access to creative arts therapy, through art, dance/movement, drama and music in individual and family therapy sessions.

The Lilac Tree — Divorce University Online Library. Funding will support the expansion of their online library which gives greater access and support to those that become isolated during separation and divorce.

Madonna Mission — Alleviating Isolation and Fostering Community Integration for Refugees. Funding will support their ESL program for refugee women, especially those with children.

James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy — Mental Health Services for Emerging Adults with a Restorative Justice Lens. Funding will support the holistic mental health care and case management that Moran provides underserved, uninsured, and disinvested local youth.

Open Studio Project — Mind, Body & Creativity Program for Family Focus Teens. Funding will support yoga and therapeutic art experiences for teen participants at their Fifth Ward Studio.

PEER Services — PEER Art Therapy at Open Studios. Funding will support Art Therapy for primarily low-income adults and seniors in their substance abuse recovery program, an important experiential aspect of the larger PEER services recovery journey.

SamaraCare — Mental Health Access Program. Funding will support reduced cost counseling and psychiatric care, in person and virtually, to their clients, many of whom are seniors who struggle to find mental health providers who accept Medicare.

Youth & Opportunity United (Y.O.U.) — Out of School Time Program for High School Students. Funding will support their Radical Self-Care, Makerspace, It’s A Rap and one-on-one academic support programs.

We will recognize these award recipients at our annual Contributions to the Community Breakfast on May 22, 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. at the WCE Clubhouse.