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Neighborhood and Community Relations

Your neighborhood partner. Building a stronger community together.

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Our Commitment

Your Northwestern. Our community. One Evanston.

The City of Evanston and Northwestern have a long history of collaboration, with Evanston benefiting from Northwestern’s success and Northwestern relying on a thriving Evanston. We aim to maintain this symbiotic relationship by fostering strategic partnerships in education, economic and community development, and health and well-being.

$M
invested over 15 years in support of City services and programs that will benefit all Evanstonians
$M
per year to the Good Neighbor Fund to further projects and programs that strengthen the City of Evanston
$K
per year in racial equity programming, which may include contributions to other organizations or City programs committed to racial equity

We Are Here to Help

Strengthening Our Community

We are committed to building and sustaining relationships between the university and the community, connecting people to essential resources, and positively impacting the quality of life across this collective community.

Advancing Knowledge and Fostering Lifelong Learning

young students studying

The Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations is dedicated to promoting lifelong learning and intellectual engagement. We strive to enhance accessible, high-quality educational programs for all in partnership with local schools and community organizations. Our initiatives range from early childhood to professional development, aiming to empower individuals to reach their full potential and make meaningful contributions to society.

Featured Partnerships

  • EvanSTEM - Improves access and engagement for students who are traditionally underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs.
  • Evanston Cradle to Career - Mobilizes community resources to make a lasting difference in children’s lives.
  • Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program - Provides summer jobs and professional mentoring for area youth.

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Bolstering the Local Economy and Building Stronger Communities

students in a large classroom

The Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations works to strengthen our community's economic foundation through strategic investments and comprehensive development efforts. As an anchor institution, we use our resources to support local businesses, improve workforce development, and increase job opportunities. Our efforts aim to stimulate economic growth and improve the quality of life in our community.

Featured Partnerships

  • Evanston MashUp - A beachfront mixer to raise funds to support local businesses and honor leaders of the community.
  • Good Neighbor Fund - Northwestern’s gift of $1 million to the City of Evanston every year starting in 2015.

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Improving Physical, Mental, and Environmental Health

experiment

The Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations is committed to enhancing the physical and mental health of our community. We support programs that reduce health disparities and incorporate sustainable practices to boost environmental health. Our efforts include promoting public health initiatives and integrating wellness into daily life. By focusing on preventative care, mental health services, and sustainable living, we aim to build a healthier, more vibrant community for all.

Featured Partnerships

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How Northwestern is Making a Difference

Read the latest news concerning Northwestern University's involvement in the community.

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Land Acknowledgement

Northwestern is a community of learners situated within a network of historical and contemporary relationships with Native American tribes, communities, parents, students, and alumni. It is also in close proximity to an urban Native American community in Chicago and near several tribes in the Midwest. The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. It was also a site of trade, travel, gathering and healing for more than a dozen other Native tribes and is still home to over 100,000 tribal members in the state of Illinois.

It is within Northwestern's responsibility as an academic institution to disseminate knowledge about Native peoples and the institution's history with them. Consistent with the University's commitment to diversity and inclusion, Northwestern works towards building relationships with Native American communities through academic pursuits, partnerships, historical recognitions, community service and enrollment efforts.

Read more about Land Acknowledgments at Northwestern.