Evanston Community Foundation Inc.

“A draft version of the form 990 is presented to the audit and executive committees as representatives of the board of directors for review and approval prior to finalizing for filing. The full board is provided with the final draft of the form 990 prior to filing.”

“Our conflict of interest policy, including the conflict of interest disclosure form, is completed annually by all board members and senior staff. The completed disclosure forms are reviewed by the president and ceo. In the event conflicts have been disclosed, they are brought to the attention of the cfo and the executive committee of the board. Any such conflicts are disclosed to committees that may be affected by the stated conflict. In addition, conflict of interest forms are also completed by committee members who are community volunteers and not current members of the board. Any individuals with conflicts that may affect a board or committee decision are recused from those decisions.”

“The executive committee serves as the personnel committee of the foundation. The committee evaluates performance of the president and ceo annually, surveying all board members for their written input and presenting the board comments as part of the performance review. The president and ceo's compensation for the coming year is determined in a closed session of the executive committee with reference to the annual council on foundations' grantmakers salary and benefits report. The report presents compensation data for officers and key staff positions in community foundations across the united states, categorized by position, region and asset size. When available, other reference sources such as the guidestar nonprofit compensation report are included in the compensation review. The executive committee's compensation discussions and decisions are documented contemporaneously and retained in foundation files.”

“As part of the budget process, the executive committee of the board approves the total dollar amount available for staff compensation, including officers. Determination of officer and staff compensation is delegated by the ecf board to the president and ceo, who also references the council on foundations' annual grantmakers salary and benefits report, guidestar and other compensation survey data as part of the process. Annual adjustments to compensation are retained in foundation records.”

“Governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements are available upon request.”

“Through its grantmaking, the foundation distributes resources through local organizations for the public good. In 2017, the foundation managed more than ten competitive and strategic grant cycles to meet evanston's evolving needs and opportunities, and also issued distributions from funds designated to benefit evanston organizations, for a total of nearly 90 grants and distributions. The cycles are reviewed and updated regularly to ensure they are addressing community needs and allocating resources during periods of greatest need. In addition grants from donor advised funds support the foundation's grantmaking, as well as evanston nonprofits and organizations beyond the borders of evanston that have missions aligned with those of the foundation. In 2017 more than 130 donor advised fund grants were distributed to more than 100 nonprofit organizations.”

“The foundation participates in, collaborates on, or develops programs and services that are inclusive and responsive to our community and that sustain our nonprofit organizations. We develop and offer workshops for nonprofits and leadership evanston programs. In fall 2017, the foundation expanded its workshop offerings and provided them without charge.”

“INV. income ALLOCATED TO FUNDS HELD AS AGENCY ENDOWMENTs: $(593,984) Investment of Evanston Cradle Career, LLC: $ 351,405 Total: $(242,579)”