About Us

Evanston Community Cares is a grassroots initiative created by local residents & leaders who believe that everyone in our community deserves reliable access to food, essential services and aid. This fund has been established to be a lifeline of emergency mutual aid & essential support in Evanston at a difficult time for so many in our community.

The recent federal government shutdown along with both the prolonged pause of the SNAP program and subsequent changes to the qualification criteria, payments schedules & work requirements represents real threats faced by families in our community. As these families face urgent and continued hardships that make it impossible to thrive, and places even more barriers to access even the most basic human needs, the ECCF represents a strategic investment in preventative stability; acting precisely where systematic gaps appear.

Providing emergency aid prevents these destabilizing financial shocks from escalating into costly long-term crises, such as homelessness or acute health care reliance.

We formed Evanston Community Cares to help fill that gap quickly, compassionately, and locally with dignity for all. The financial integrity and long-term stewardship of the ECCF are guaranteed by the Evanston Community Foundation (ECF), which is serving as our fiscal agent and seed donor of $10,000.00. This fund fuels crucial Mutual AID and Community Action by continuously funding five vital local initiatives. The ECC Fund is supported by the City of Evanston with a $24,999.00 emergency funding granted by an initial seed investment donation.