Funds Distribution Plan
The Evanston Community Cares Fund (ECCF) enables donors to maximize their impact by investing in preventative stability—providing support at the exact points where systemic gaps leave families vulnerable. The fund addresses immediate, destabilizing financial shocks such as the loss of SNAP benefits, sudden job loss, or other urgent hardships facing Evanston families. By providing timely emergency aid, ECCF helps prevent these challenges from escalating into long-term crises like homelessness or serious health complications.
Funding Goals & Allocations
Our total fundraising goal is $2 million, divided equally among five beneficiary categories:
| Beneficiary Organization | Allocation of Total ECC Funds |
|---|---|
 Evanston Latinos | 20% ($220K) |
 Sanctuary Evanston | 20% ($220K) |
 Evanston Community Fridges | 20% ($220K) |
| Reserve for additional organizations/emergency mutual aid needs (“as-needed emergency mutual aid funds”): | |
 District 65 (Gift Card Initiative)* | 20% ($220K) |
 District 202 (Gift Card Initiative)* | 20% ($220K) |
*District 65 and District 202 allocations are dedicated to the Gift Card Initiative.
Funds will be distributed evenly across all five categories, with each receiving one-fifth of all donations. Once a beneficiary reaches its individual $220,000 goal, donations will continue to be allocated to the remaining categories until each goal is met.
After the three community organizations reach their goals ($660,000 combined), fundraising will continue until the collective $900,000 goal for Districts 202 and 65 is fully met. Once all beneficiary goals have been achieved, any additional funds will be placed in reserve to support beneficiaries or other community organizations, needs, or mutual-aid efforts as determined.
Gift Card Initiative (Districts 65 & 202)
Funds directed to the Gift Card Initiative are part of the equal split described above. Money received for this initiative will continue to be allocated proportionally until the combined $900,000 goal is reached.
Gift cards will be distributed equitably across all 18 Evanston/Skokie District 65 schools and Evanston Township High School (District 202) using the PEP Fund’s equitable distribution model, based on the number of students receiving Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL).
Key details:
- FRL students are categorized as Free Lunch or Reduced Lunch recipients.
- There are approximately 3600 students between D65 & D202 who receive FRL.
- After Free Lunch recipients are served, the same randomized process will be used for Reduced Lunch recipients.
- This cycle will repeat until:
- Every FRL student has received four $75 gift cards, or
- Funds allocated for the program are fully used.