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Community Grant Making 

2025 Beneficiaries and Grant Recipients

Since 1899, The Woman’s Club of Evanston has proudly supported organizations that make a difference in our community.  This year, we are celebrating the 24th year of the WCE’s Community Grants Program.  Each year, the Community Grant Making Committee has designated an annual funding focus and not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizations are invited to submit grant applications.

For the 2024-25 selection cycle, The Woman’s Club of Evanston sought grant applications from organizations and programs that combat loneliness or isolation in the Evanston community.  The 2024-25 Community Grant Making 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:

2026 Revue:
Piven Theatre Workshop:  Proceeds will support expanding programming for the community that fosters authentic, substantive connections

2026 Spring Benefit:
ARTSiE (Arts in Education):  Proceeds will support creating connections and community through arts enrichment programming

2025-26 Clubhouse Usage:
Curt’s Cafe:  Supporting work and life skills training programs that improve outcomes for young adults in at-risk situations

2025 Grant Awards:

Avery’s Helpful Hair Kits:  Providing free culturally appropriate hair care for foster youth

Books & Breakfast:  Cultivating relationships for D65 marginalized children

Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois:  Creating camaraderie and connection across cultures and generations

Camp Kesem at Northwestern:  Transporting kids of parents with cancer to free summer camp staffed by Northwestern student volunteers

Chicago Methodist Senior Services (CMSS):  Expanding Senior Connections program, matching seniors and young adults

Connections for the Homeless:  Building community at the Margarita Inn shelter

Evanston Grows:  Growing the Evanston Grows community through Farming Together programs

Evanston Scholars:  Funding for holistic wellness/mental health support initiative

Foundation 65:  Funding Chute Wolfpack leadership group for girls and mothers/female guardians

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago/Northwest Indiana:  Supporting Girl Scout programs for girls living in foster care

Impact Behavioral Health Partners:  Expanding clinical community referral program in Evanston

Interfaith Action of Evanston:  Providing cell phones for unhoused participants

The Lilac Tree:  Funding to increase intake services by six hours per week

Madonna Mission:  Alleviating isolation and fostering community integration for refugee women

Northlight Theatre:  Providing education and community engagement in a variety of programs designed for all ages, from seniors to kids

Open Studio Project:  Bringing together elders and youth in Evanston’s 5th Ward to express their personal stories through art collaboration and presentation

Special Gifts Theatre:  Funding “Creating Outside the Lines” program for adults with disabilities

Still Point Theatre Collective:  Bringing to Evanson a play written and performed by previously incarcerated women

Turning Point Behavioral Health:  Funding therapeutic and community support group programs

Vaudeville Chicago:  Adding senior facilities in Evanston to Vaudeville in Residence program 

Will’s Place:  Funding community nights for young adults with disabilities

Youth & Opportunity United (YOU):  Supporting community youth with out-of-school-time programs


About The Woman’s Club of Evanston
Founded in 1889, the Woman’s Club of Evanston (WCE) is a nonprofit organization of nearly 300 women from the North Shore and beyond who are dedicated to community service, philanthropic work, and friendship.  Annually, more than $110,000 and 2,500 volunteer hours are donated to help local not-for-profit organizations.