Northwestern, Evanston Announce 2018 Good Neighbor Fund Projects

EVANSTON, IL — Northwestern University will contribute to funding paramedic services, job training and youth outreach with the fourth installment of a promised $5 million in contributions to Evanston's municipal government. Mayor Steve Hagerty and Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro announced Wednesday how this year's $1 million donation to city's Good Neighbor Fund will be allocated.

The property tax-exempt nonprofit private university agreed to make the annual contributions in March 2015, with money in the Good Neighbor Fund spent on projects and services mutually agreed by the Evanston mayor and Northwestern president.

“Northwestern’s relationship with the City and its residents is a priority for the university, and the Good Neighbor Fund is a great example of this partnership,” Schapiro said, announcing the 2018 contribution.

“This is one of the concrete ways we can demonstrate our commitment," said the university president. "Our investments, specifically in the areas of youth programs and career development, will have a meaningful impact on the Evanston community for years to come."

Hagerty thanked Schapiro for continuing the partnership, saying said Northwestern was a great neighbor. The money would go toward projects that will help "everyone who lives, works and plays in Evanston," according to the mayor.

"In addition, I appreciate NU stepping forward to help the City address its recent deficit by funding in full the expenses associated with NU football games and Dillo Day," Hagerty said. The 2019 budget adopted by the city last month cut $91,000 in un-reimbursed overtime pay for Evanston police during the sporting events and annual daylong music festival.

UPDATE: Northwestern and Evanston officials confirmed the extent of the university's commitment has not been finalized and is still being discussed. No written agreement has been made between the city and university as of Dec. 31, 2018.

Here's where this year's contribution will be going, starting Jan. 1, 2019:

• Evanston Fire Department paramedic services: $250,000
• Existing job training programs: $135,000
• Mayor Hagerty’s Discretionary Projects Fund: $150,000
• Youth outreach programs – salary for two of the five existing full-time outreach workers: $100,000
• The new “Elevate Evanston” workforce development initiative: $90,000
• Implementation of pilot projects recommended by the Climate Action and Resilience Plan: $75,000
• Salary for existing full-time Social Worker position at the Evanston Public Library: $70,000
• New after-school tutoring initiative: $50,000
• Development of a Parks and Recreation master plan: $50,000
• Expansion the Evanston Public Library’s portable Wi-Fi hotspot program: $30,000

Last Year: Evanston, NU Announce Allocation Of 2017 Good Neighbor Fund