MENU give now! Home > About > 2020 Annual Report rally Determination, resiliency, and passion are hallmarks of Evanston residents. Different community groups stepped up to mobilize in 2020 and provided the support our residents needed. Students from both Northwestern University and Evanston Township High School, along with ETHS alumni, rallied to raise money through fundraisers to support ECF. In the midst of juggling remote learning, work, and socially distancing, these young community-minded philanthropists pitched in to make a true difference. Rechanneling energy & commitment Over the years, NUDM (Northwestern University Dance Marathon) has awarded ECF over $1.4M as one of its beneficiaries, making NUDM one of the Foundation’s top donors. This collaboration exemplifies how a city like Evanston and a university like Northwestern can work together to make a real difference in the community. We are so grateful for their partnership. Each year, students with seemingly boundless energy gather under a tent, dancing to the oldies and current hits. In 2020, COVID changed where they danced but didn’t weaken their resolve. These tenacious young philanthropists organized and hosted a virtual dance party, raising nearly $700,000! The event included a Second City performance, speakers, games, and even virtual yoga. Showcasing their love for the community With Evanston Township High School’s long history of helping students develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors necessary for participation in a democratic society, it came as no surprise to see groups of ETHS alumni and current students working to raise money to help address the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, Ben Morton and Adam Haas, along with a small cadre of other fellow ETHS grads, held a three-day virtual concert series, Evanston Cov-AID, showcasing some of Evanston’s most talented artists and performers in an online live stream. The three-day event drew a crowd of more than 6,000 viewers and raised more than $12,000 to support the Rapid Response Fund. “I am from Evanston and have immense love for my city. It was important to me and my colleagues to do something for the place we call home.” —Ben Morton Serving support for families Evanston Township High School Boys Tennis Team decided they needed to support classmates’ families who were losing jobs and housing because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sophomore teammates Gunnar Andersen, Alex Robinson, Ben Ward, and Asher Wexler created a video to spark interest in this work. Their leadership, talent, and kindness led to more than $2,000 in support of the Rapid Response Fund. When asked why it was important for them to participate, their collective response was the desire to do the right thing for their fellow classmates and their families. “In the aftermath of school closures, it was clear that we needed to pivot from in-person programming to support students as they shifted to remote learning. ECF’s support allowed us to expand to more schools and reach more students than ever. The impact to students has been a shining light in this pandemic.” —Tasha Triplett, Director of Programming, Books & Breakfast Leadership Evanston Alum Letter to the Community From Lisa Altenbernd Relieve Recover Rebuild Rally Recognize Review Report of the Investment Council Leadership of Evanston Community Foundation a proud partner of Home | Contact | Sitemap | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Site by Jell Creative Inc. Copyright © 2021 Evanston Community Foundation | 1560 Sherman Ave. Suite 535 Evanston, IL 60201 | 847.492.0990 eNews Signup Board Member Login Fundholder Portal The Evanston Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, and your gift to one of our funds is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.Our federal tax id number is 36-3466802.