In its sixth year contributing $1 million to the City of Evanston to support jointly agreed upon projects, Northwestern University has, for the first time, allocated funds focused entirely on dismantling systemic barriers faced by historically marginalized communities. This $1 million allocation of the Northwestern Good Neighbor Racial Equity Fund will support a variety of bold, progressive programs aimed at strengthening underserved communities and advancing racial equity in Evanston.

The 2021 initiatives funded by Northwestern’s $1 million contribution include support for minority entrepreneurs, arts organizations, undocumented residents and socially isolated older adults, as well as funding to operationalize equity and improve language access within City government. Also, there is seed money for a guaranteed income pilot program providing direct financial assistance to a limited number of low-income households.

Program Allocations:

$400,000 to support a Minority Business Incubator
This project will fund a collaboration between the City of Evanston, Kellogg School of Management, The Garage, and various City business associations to provide minority entrepreneurs with access to education, networking, and capital. 

$300,000 to support a Guaranteed Income pilot program
This program will offer monthly cash payments to low-income Evanston households to supplement the existing social safety net.  Also referred to as Universal Basic Income, this program is unlike other programs as there are no parameters for how the income is spent by the receiving household.

$100,000 to help operationalize racial equity within the City
This funding will support consultant services to strengthen the equitable delivery of City services.  City Staff will receive training and support for intentional, strategic and sustainable interventions that enable departments to operate through a racial equity lens. These interventions will focus on workforce and organizational development in order for the community to benefit from City services and programs. 

$50,000 to support community resiliency through the arts
Program funding will be allocated to mobilize artists, cultural and social service organizations primarily from BIPOC and underserved communities to transform the concept of social services. Mental wellness requires collective civic health, and Evanston will lead the way by using the arts in acknowledging and supporting that important connection among our residents.

$50,000 to support a language access program
This funding will commit financial resources to achieve the next steps to fill in the gap when it comes to language accessibility for all, including a program to review the language used throughout the City’s website, staff training, and translating vital City documents to Spanish and other limited English speaking communities.

$50,000 to support a pilot program to reduce social isolation for older adults 
This funding will help the City launch a program to offer a technology solution to at-risk, older adult populations. Loneliness and depression are high among older residents and it has been exacerbated due to the pandemic. This in-home technology program will help older adults better cope with isolation by connecting them with Evanston-centered interactive health and wellness programs. With additional support from the Evanston Community Foundation we will reach over 100 subscribers.

$50,000 to support the Community Member Relief Fund 
The City's Community Member Relief Fund is a special fund designated for undocumented Evanston residents who do not qualify for General Assistance or Emergency Assistance programs but have circumstances such as eviction, utility disconnection, food insecurity or other emergency needs.  The fund was created by the City Council in 2020 to assist the most vulnerable in our community whose legal status precludes them from obtaining standard aid.