Northwestern donates $1 million to Evanston’s Good Neighbor Fund

EVANSTON - For the third year in a row, Northwestern University has donated $1 million to support facilities and services in Evanston as part of an ongoing partnership between the City and the University. 

President Morton Schapiro and Evanston Mayor Stephen Hagerty announced the donation as part of the City of Evanston’s Good Neighbor Fund on Thursday, with money earmarked for park improvements, paramedic services, youth job training and other projects.

“We’re pleased to continue to support the City of Evanston and these important projects and initiatives through the Good Neighbor Fund,” Schapiro said. “One of Northwestern’s key assets is our location in Evanston, a vibrant and thriving community where many of our faculty and staff live. Our partnerships with the City of Evanston and Evanston schools continue to grow, and this contribution demonstrates our commitment to our home town.”

The Good Neighbor initiative began in 2015, when Northwestern agreed to donate $1 million annually to the city for a period of five years, with proceeds to be spent on projects and services jointly agreed upon by Evanston’s mayor and Northwestern’s president.

This year, President Schapiro and Mayor Hagerty agreed to the following allocations: 

• $325,000 for Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center interior improvements, including renovation of the auditorium, the lobby and the office adjacent to the lobby. The office improvements will make the center’s customer service counter ADA accessible.
• $220,000 to support Evanston Fire Department paramedic services
• $160,000 to support existing job-training programs for at-risk youth
• $100,000 for renovation of the Harbert Park basketball court
• $100,000 to support the city’s Youth and Young Adult Division. The allocation will cover the salaries of two of five full-time outreach workers
• $70,000 to support a full-time social worker at the Evanston Public Library
• $25,000 for a CTA/Union Pacific Viaduct Beautification pilot project

Mayor Hagerty thanked President Schapiro and Northwestern for supporting those who live, work and play in Evanston.

“Northwestern is much more than just a good neighbor; it’s a partner in our community’s success,” Hagerty said. “I look forward to continuing our strong spirit of cooperation and support for many years to come.”

Projects and services selected for this year’s Good Neighbor Fund allocation will be funded for a 12-month period that began Sept. 1, 2017.