Evanston is a community that values education, and our public schools are a cornerstone of our community.  Foundation 65, the educational foundation for Evanston-Skokie School District 65, believes that effective community support is needed to provide the best educational opportunities for our children. 

Foundation 65 (F65) is the educational foundation for Evanston-Skokie School District 65.  The Foundation raises funds to support activities that enrich District 65 schools and encourage excellence in education. While we partner with the District to support the schools' teachers and students, Foundation 65 is an independent operating foundation with its own volunteer board and funds. 

F65 was established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization to provide a way to fund programs and projects that nurture and promote educational excellence in District 65. It is a mission that only becomes possible with the resources and commitment of caring citizens who are determined to make a difference in our schools and our children's education. Working together, we can nurture academic achievement and enrichment opportunities for all of our students.

Since 2003 F65 has invested more than $700,000 in more than 55 projects and programs making an impact at every school in the District.

Evanston community leaders and residents formed the Evanston-Skokie District 65 Educational Foundation in 1994 to raise and channel private funds to public education in District 65.  Early contributions from the Oscar Chute, Blair Vedder and J. B. Pritzker families, as well as the Chicago Community Trust were largely "designated" funds, given to the Foundation for specified programs that could only be used for a designated purpose.

In 2002, the District 65 Educational Foundation changed its name to Foundation 65 and launched its first community-wide fundraising drive.  In the last six years, F65 has seen significant growth, with the development of a 15-member volunteer board of directors, the hiring of a part-time administrator and the development and establishment of successful programs -- including Educator Grants and the Summer Reading Program -- as well as a commitment to partnering with other community organizations to have a greater impact on helping our schools.  In 2008, with funding from the Lewis-Sebring Family Foundation and Northwestern University, F65 undertook a comprehensive strategic planning process and hired its first-ever executive director.