On May 30, the Evanston Community Foundation (ECF) gathered all of their grantees from the past year at their Grant Awards Celebration. Many local nonprofits were in attendance along with various supporters of the Foundation. ITA has been a recipient of ECF’s Root2Fruit Grant since 2017 and has benefited greatly from the financial support, workshops, and advisement this program offers small nonprofits. ITA was also awarded a rolling grant this year to customize our donor database.
ITA’s Executive Director, Jenni Rook was invited to speak about ITA’s growth and how the Foundation has contributed to our success as we transitioned from a root to a fruit. Jenni has had the pleasure of working very closely over the years with Vice President of Programs at ECF Marybeth Schroeder, and wanted to thank her and ECF for all of their support. As Jenni closed her speech, she invited Marybeth onto the stage and presented her with a painting created by art therapy intern, Amber Przybyla. The artwork was created as a symbol of the Root2Fruit program and it’s impact on the community.
Here is Amber’s artist statement:
“The painting is a representation of my understanding of the impact root2fruit has had not only on ITA but other organizations throughout Evanston. The hands represent the organizations who want to deepen their connection with the Evanston community. Nature imagery represents the growth experienced by organizations who have benefited from the root2fruit grant. There are 54 images to represent the 54 small and mid-size organizations who have benefited from the root2fruit program. The flower imagery represents the benefits, organizational growth, and mission of the root2fruit grant. Heather means transformative change; growing into something extraordinary. Alstroemeria and Lily represents prosperity, Geranium stands for purpose, expansion of ideas, doing good for the whole. The red and white mushrooms represent good fortune, and the bees symbolize sustainability. The root2fruit program helps organizations grow, develop, and plan for the future. ”
It was an honor to work with ECF over the past three years, and we are tremendously grateful for their support.
