ULRI

ULRI-ULSE Partners with Northwestern’s Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations to Launch Local Sustainability Grants Program

In an inspiring move towards fostering sustainability, UL Research Institutes (ULRI), UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE), and Northwestern’s Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations have joined forces to introduce the inaugural Sustainable Communities Grant Program. This initiative is set to invigorate nonprofit organizations in Evanston and Skokie by addressing critical sustainability challenges and enhancing community engagement.

Tina Vaughn, senior manager of Community Affairs and Engagement at ULRI and ULSE, highlights the significance of this collaboration: “This partnership exemplifies how nonprofit organizations can come together to spark meaningful change at the neighborhood level. By investing in grassroots solutions, we’re helping to build stronger, healthier, and more sustainable communities for the long term.”

The grant program will award two grants of $2,500 each to projects that align with its core objectives: promoting environmental stewardship, resource efficiency, and sustainable practices within local communities. The program aims to empower grassroots solutions that can create a lasting positive impact.

Echoing this sentiment, EL Da’Sheon Nix, Director of Northwestern’s Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations, states, “We’re proud to support localized projects that empower communities to take action against environmental challenges. This grant program reflects our shared commitment to sustainability and community resilience in Evanston and Skokie.”

Application Details

Non-profit organizations interested in applying for the grants must submit comprehensive project proposals, detailing goals, expected impacts and metrics for measuring success. The application process is now open, and potential applicants can find more information and submit their proposals online.

A Collaborative Commitment to Sustainability

The collaborative nature of this grant program underscores the dedication of ULRI, ULSE, and Northwestern’s Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations to sustainability and highlights the critical role of community involvement in tackling environmental issues. By supporting local initiatives, these organizations aim to inspire a movement towards greener and more sustainable practices in the region.

Overview

UL Research Institutes, UL Standards & Engagement, and Northwestern’s Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations are pleased to announce the launch of the Sustainable Communities Grant Program to support innovative, community-driven sustainability initiatives. This program is designed to empower organizations and communities to work in partnership to implement projects that promote environmental stewardship, resource efficiency, and promote sustainability efforts.

The Sustainable Communities Grant Program seeks to fund projects that align with the following objectives:

Advance sustainable practices in the Evanston and Skokie communities – for example, projects can include energy reduction, water conservation, waste management, eliminating food insecurities, etc.
Foster community engagement and collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.
Encourage innovation and replicable solutions that can be scaled or adapted by other communities.

For the 2025–2026 grant cycle, the program will award two (2) grants of $2,500 each to eligible projects aligned with the goals of the program. Application requirements include:

Project addresses at least one of the program objectives listed above.
Affiliation with a nonprofit organization with a 501(c)3 designation status.
Projects must be based in the cities of Evanston or Skokie, Illinois.

Note: This grant does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or other protected characteristics.

Submission and selection process

What You Need to Submit: To submit your application, please visit the online portal here. All applicants must create an account in order to be considered.

For all applicants, below is an overview of the information requested for grant submission:

Organization overview: Tell us about your organization(s) and what perspectives or expertise members of the organization(s) bring to the project.
Project description: Provide a detailed description of the proposed project. This should include its objectives, goals/outcomes, and the strategies that will be executed to obtain the desired goals/outcomes.
Project goals: What would you expect to accomplish during one year of funding? How would you define success at the end of that year? Outline the primary goals, milestones, or outcomes you aim to achieve by the end of the grant period.
Project Impact and Success: How would you measure success toward those goals? What indicators will you use to measure progress toward your stated goals?

How it works

Grants will be selected through a single-stage process. The following are important steps and key deadlines:

May 5, 2025: Grant applications open to the public. Grant prospects are invited to complete and submit the grant application via the application portal.
June 27, 2025, by 11:59pm CST: Grant application deadline. Following the deadline, the grant committee will review applications and select two recipients to receive funding for the upcoming grant cycle.
August 1, 2025: Grantees will be announced.
September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026: Timeframe for the 2025-2026 grant cycle. Funds will be distributed after the grant agreement is signed. Grantees will be asked to submit interim and final reports during the grant cycle.