ANCHOR Grants FAQ
Welcome to Northwestern University's ANCHOR Grants (Advancing Neighborhood & Community Health, Opportunity & Resilience) FAQ page. Here, you will find clear and comprehensive answers regarding our grant program. This page serves as a resource for students, faculty, staff, and the broader community seeking to understand how ANCHOR Grants support collaborative partnerships to enhance well-being and opportunity in our local communities.
Why did Northwestern University establish the ANCHOR Grants program?
In 2020, as Evanston and Chicago faced significant challenges due to COVID-19 and various social and economic hardships, Northwestern made a renewed commitment to support local communities. By connecting the University’s research and intellectual resources with our community’s greatest asset—its people—we aim to foster positive social transformation and improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable populations. ANCHOR Grants underscore Northwestern’s dedication to building strong, lasting partnerships that benefit both the campus and its neighbors.
What is the focus of the ANCHOR Grants?
The ANCHOR Grants program supports projects in Evanston and Chicago that address longstanding social, economic, and structural barriers through policy innovations, program development, or research-driven initiatives.
- Community-University Partnerships:
- Grants will be awarded to collaborations between community-based nonprofits or groups in Evanston/Chicago and Northwestern faculty, students, or staff.
- Core Strategies:
- Build the capacity of local neighborhoods to develop community-driven solutions to persistent challenges.
- Advance the University’s academic and research mission while strengthening local communities.
- Potential for Broader Impact:
- Partnerships funded by ANCHOR Grants should demonstrate the capacity to expand knowledge and be leveraged for additional foundation or government support.
How will these grants be selected?
Grant criteria can be found on the Application Page. Proposals will be evaluated based on how effectively they address the program’s goals, demonstrate mutual benefit for community and University partners, and provide a feasible plan for achieving measurable outcomes.
What is the timeline for application and selection for 2025-26 grants?
- The grant guidelines and application will be released on November 25, 2024
- The LOI must be completed in the online application system by January 24, 2025 at 11:59pm CST.
- The committee will review the LOIs and select applications to move to the second stage on February 10, 2025.
- Those selected to continue will complete a final, full proposal for grant and submit by March 14, 2025 at 11:59pm CST.
- We will announce grantees in May 2025.
- Grants will run from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
- See the guidelines for more information, LOI questions, and a link to the application portal.
Do these grants replace the Good Neighbor Fund?
No, the $500,000 committed to this grant program is in addition to Northwestern awarding financial support to the City of Evanston.
What was funded in the first four rounds of our ANCHOR Grants?