Annual Grants

Since 1889, The Woman’s Club of Evanston (WCE) proudly supported organizations that make a difference in our community. This year, we are celebrating the 21st year of the WCE’s Community Grants Program and our commitment to supporting the local organizations that serve under-resourced populations as we launch our solicitation for grant applications. The WCE is dedicated to community service, philanthropic work and friendship and boasts nearly 400 members from the North Shore, Chicago and surrounding communities.  Annually, our club raises between $125,000 - $150,000 for local organizations while contributing thousands of volunteer hours for the community.

We are currently accepting applications for our 2021-2022 grant cycle.

Each year, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizations in Evanston and surrounding communities are invited to submit grant applications to The Woman’s Club of Evanston. Since 2000, the WCE’s Contributions Committee has designated an annual funding focus. All applicants should clearly describe how their project fits within the chosen focus area.  For the 2021-2022 application cycle, the funding focus is as follows:

“The Woman’s Club of Evanston seeks grant applications from programs and organizations in Evanston, Skokie and Rogers Park that address food insecurity.”

Applications are used to select recipients of 2021-22 Community Grants (generally between $500 - $5,000), 2023 WCE Revue Beneficiary (between $20,000 - $30,000), 2023 WCE Spring Benefit Beneficiary ($30,000+), and 2022-23 Clubhouse Usage Award. The application also identifies organizations for Community Outreach volunteer short-term and single day service projects. 

Download the application above or for more information about how to apply, email contributions@wcofe.org. All applicants must describe how their project fits within the chosen focus area. 

The application deadline is Wednesday, November 10, 2021, by 5:00 p.m. CST.  

Completed applications can be mailed or delivered to:

 Contributions Committee
Award Recipients for
Previous Club Year

The 2020-21 Contributions Committee reviewed 43 applications submitted in response to the following giving focus:

The Woman’s Club of Evanston seeks grant applications from programs and organizations that address inclusion, equity, and access for black and brown communities in Evanston, Skokie and Rogers Park.

The Contributions Committee is proud and excited to announce the recipients of the following awards:

COMMUNITY GRANT AWARDS

Evanston Scholars: Funding will support the College Access Program that provides mentors for Scholars to access mental health support, academic and financial counseling, textbooks and materials.

Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP): Funding will support three programs for low-income Latina immigrants - Latina’s Women’s Circle provides education programs in English and Spanish on actions to take if abused/discriminated against; Dual Citizen Support to prevent family separations by assisting women in securing dual citizenship for their U.S. born children; and Emergency Cash Assistance.

Foundation 65: Funding will support the Black Girl Magic Book Club that provides age-appropriate books featuring Black girls, connecting the stories to the principles of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and NW Indiana: Funding to support All In: Girl Scouting for Every Evanston Girl, which provides specially trained leaders and facilitators and all expenses for new troops seeking to specifically serve black and Latino girls who are homeless or living in extreme poverty. Troops are located at Fleetwood-Jourdain, Family Focus, St. Nicks and the Rice Center.

Humanity Relief: Funding to support the resettlement of low income families including basic furnishings and needs; care package distribution for homeless families; and a 6-month mentorship program that includes ESL instruction and basic computer skills for employment.

McGaw YMCA: Funding to support the Head Start Remote Plus STEAM Academic and Enrichment Learning Pods Program for a new pre-K-5^th grade learning pod that will serve 64 predominantly Black and Brown students from low income families living in the 5th ward, five days a week. Students will also engage in remote enrichment programming afterschool, collaborating with Northwestern University staff that will provide STEAM courses. Students will be provided breakfast, lunch and snacks.

Peer Health Exchange: Funding will support a health education curriculum for one school year focused on skills and resources to make healthy decision for the freshman class at Acero Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, delivered by two Northwestern University students.

Turning Point Behavioral Health Care Center: Funding will support launching a new clinical internship fellowship program that provides financial support and mentorship to persons of color entering the mental health care field.

Youth & Opportunity United (Y.O.U.): Funding will support the Out of School Time (OST) program, which serves predominantly low-income high school students of color through initiatives that promote leadership and empowerment, community connections, career exploration, artistic and STEM development and post-secondary preparation.

CLUBHOUSE USAGE GRANTS:

Connections for the Homeless

Connections for the Homeless is an agency in the northern suburbs delivering essential services to people facing homelessness and housing insecurity.

They will hold their annual fall luncheon event, Inspire, that brings together members of the community, neighbors, leaders, and new and old supporters to raise funds and build awareness about their work and issues related to homelessness and housing.

Family Promise Chicago North Shore

Family Promise Chicago North Shore is an agency providing temporary housing and food while working to get homeless families get back to permanent housing and keeping the family together. They will hold an event that celebrates 10 years of transforming the lives of the community’s homeless and that will serve as a fundraiser, recognize their volunteers, and unveil their plan for their future.