Evanston Latinos

What Evanston Latinos does

Evanston Latinos is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in Spring 2020 (with informal community origins dating to Spring 2017) and headquartered in Evanston, Illinois. The organization serves the Latino/Latine community across all nine wards of Evanston, including immigrant families, first-generation immigrants, Latino entrepreneurs, educators, faith leaders, and public servants of Latino heritage. Its mission centers on community building, advocacy and equity, family support and resource connection, entrepreneur and small business development, cultural preservation, and leadership development.

The organization operates a portfolio of programs rather than a technology platform. Core program areas include: the Evanston Community Kitchen ("La Cocina") culinary incubator for food entrepreneurs; the Promotoras de Salud y Bienestar health outreach program (10 immigrant community members trained as community health advocates in partnership with YWCA Evanston/North Shore); the Early Childhood Teacher Pipeline (15-participant bilingual cohort with $1,000 stipends, partnered with Oakton College and Evanston Early Childhood Council); Racial Healing Circles using the Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) model; Cafecitos community gatherings at the Evanston Public Library; the Evanston Latine Coalition launched February 2026 (coordinating eight partner organizations); and the Latine Small Business & Entrepreneur Collective launched February 2026. The organization also maintains an Evanston Latine Businesses Directory and provides Spanish-language resource navigation including text-message outreach.

The business model is nonprofit grant- and donation-dependent. Revenue streams are: tax-deductible individual donations, foundation grants (notably from the Evanston Community Foundation, including an Innovation Grant for racial healing and two Community Kitchen grants ending early 2026), and event-based fundraising via the Annual Gala (ticketing through qgiv.com). All programs and services are offered free of charge to community members. Distribution is community-led via in-person events, bilingual newsletters (Boletín), Spanish-language text outreach, volunteer networks, and partnerships with civic institutions including the City of Evanston, Evanston Public Library, and YWCA Evanston/North Shore. Governance is by a Board of Directors led by President Nancy Castillo and Treasurer Shirley Kuzmanic-Galan; founding Board Chair Stephanie Mendoza stepped down in 2025-2026. Executive Director is Ricardo Villalobos.

Name

Evanston Latinos

Legal name

Evanston Latinos

Website

https://evanstonlatinos.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Evanston Latinos is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2020 that advocates for and serves the Latino community across Evanston, Illinois, delivering programs in community building, economic development, early childhood education, health outreach, and cultural preservation through coalitions, grants, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Advocacy and Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural, Multilingual & Immigrant Family Engagement Programs (EDACALAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ), Family & School System Navigation (Parent Engagement, Youth Services) (EDAAADAH)

Keywords

• Community advocacy services
• Nonprofit community support
• Cultural programming events
• Small business development
• Workforce development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Evanston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tax-Deductible Donations: Evanston Latinos raises funds from individual donors and community supporters. Donations are described as tax-deductible as the organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The donations page calls on supporters to make tax-deductible contributions to invest in the future of the community.
2. Grants and Foundation Funding: The organization receives grant funding from organizations such as the Evanston Community Foundation, including an innovation grant that supported racial healing circles (TRHT model) over six months. Two grants for the Community Kitchen project were mentioned as coming to an end in early 2026.
3. Event-Based Fundraising (Annual Gala): Evanston Latinos hosts an Annual Gala as a fundraising event. Ticket sales for the Gala are managed through a third-party platform (qgiv.com). The 2025 Annual Gala was referenced across multiple pages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Evanston Latinos is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free community programs, advocacy, and resource navigation for Latino/Latine residents of Evanston, Illinois. Its portfolio includes a culinary incubator (Evanston Community Kitchen/La Cocina), a community health worker program (Promotoras de Salud y Bienestar), a bilingual Early Childhood Teacher Pipeline with stipends, racial healing circles, community gatherings (Cafecitos), small business support, and coalition-based advocacy. Services are offered free of charge in English and Spanish across all nine wards of Evanston.

Product overview

Evanston Latinos is a community-led nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) focused on strengthening and uplifting the Latino community in Evanston through six focus areas: Community Building & Engagement, Advocacy & Equity, Family Support & Resource Connection, Entrepreneur & Small Business Development, Culture, Arts & Storytelling, and Leadership Development. The organization's portfolio includes a culinary incubator (Evanston Community Kitchen/La Cocina), health outreach programs (Promotoras), workforce development (Early Childhood Teacher Pipeline), civic coordination (Evanston Latine Coalition), economic empowerment (Latine Small Business & Entrepreneur Collective), racial healing initiatives, community gatherings (Cafécitos), and resource navigation services. Key programs are offered free or at low cost with stipends to remove barriers to participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Evanston Community Kitchen (La Cocina) A culinary incubator providing affordable communal food preparation and packaging space for community members and small food business owners, with support including website development, IRS compliance, health department compliance, classes, financial education, and co-op development.
• Evanston Latine Coalition A coordinated coalition of Latino-serving organizations, faith leaders, advocates, entrepreneurs, and residents committed to collective impact. Aligns advocacy and communication, shares timely information and trusted resources, and coordinates responses to policy and enforcement changes.
• Latine Small Business & Entrepreneur Collective A collective designed to elevate Latino commerce in Evanston, increase representation in local economic development conversations, identify shared challenges and opportunities, build visibility, collaboration, and mutual support for sustainable growth among Latino entrepreneurs and small business owners.
• Promotoras de Salud y Bienestar (Health and Wellness Promoters) Community health outreach program that trains immigrant community members as 'Promotoras' (community health workers) to provide basic health education, raise awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault, and connect victims with YWCA services.
• Early Childhood Teacher Pipeline Free bilingual early childhood teacher cohort program in partnership with Evanston Early Childhood Council, City of Evanston, Evanston Community Foundation, Cradle to Career, and Oakton College. Addresses the early childhood teacher shortage while providing English as a second language education; participants receive a $1,000 stipend.
• Racial Healing Circles Six-month program using the Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) model and facilitators to engage the community through storytelling and facilitate racial healing circles to explore, reconcile, and advance the path to wholeness in Evanston. Supported by an Evanston Community Foundation Innovation Grant.
• Cafecitos Community gatherings held at the Evanston Public Library that serve coffee and facilitate storytelling and information sharing. Evolved from personal stories to community discussions with invited speakers including Evanston city officials, the police liaison, and the fire department chief.
• Community Resources Navigation Resource connection services providing information about housing, healthcare, food, financial assistance, and other essential services. Includes a Spanish-language text message information service delivering updates about COVID-19, food pantries, and resources for students, families, and undocumented community members.
• Evanston Latine Businesses Directory Directory of Latine-owned businesses in Evanston across multiple industries (tree services, lawn care, painting, real estate, preschools, food delivery) to increase visibility and support for Latino entrepreneurs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Founded during the pandemic when COVID-19 positivity rate for Latino residents was 18.3% vs. 11.8% population share
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Evanston Latine CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Evanston Latinos launched the Evanston Latine Coalition in February 2026 as a coordinated table of Latino-serving organizations, faith leaders, advocates, entrepreneurs, and residents committed to collective impact. The coalition aims to align advocacy, share resources, coordinate responses to policy changes, and strengthen civic representation for the Latino community in Evanston. Eight local Evanston organizations collaborate through this coalition.
• Latine Small Business & Entrepreneur CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Launched by Evanston Latinos in February 2026, this collective is designed to elevate Latino commerce, increase representation in local economic development conversations, identify shared challenges and opportunities, and strengthen pathways for sustainable growth for Latino entrepreneurs in Evanston.
• Evanston Early Childhood CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Evanston Latinos launched the first bilingual early childhood teacher cohort with 15 participants in partnership with the Evanston Early Childhood Council, the City of Evanston, Evanston Community Foundation, Cradle to Career, and Oakton College. This initiative addresses the early childhood teacher shortage while providing English as a second language education.
• City of EvanstoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022The City of Evanston is a key civic partner across multiple programs including the Early Childhood Teacher Pipeline and housing initiatives. The city provides official resources, 311 service line, and COVID-19 information in Spanish. City officials including the Latino Liaison, Fire Chief, and Police Chief have participated in community events.
• Cradle to CareersecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Cradle to Career partnered with Evanston Latinos, the City of Evanston, Evanston Community Foundation, Oakton College, and Evanston Early Childhood Council on the bilingual Early Childhood Teacher Pipeline program.
• Oakton CollegesecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Oakton College partnered on the bilingual Early Childhood Teacher Pipeline program, with Professor Dr. Norma S. Guzmán serving as the program's bilingual and bicultural instructor.
• Evanston Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Evanston Public Library co-hosted 'Cafecitos' community gatherings with Evanston Community Foundation. The library also provides free Wi-Fi access to community members and publishes social service resources in Spanish.
• Mental Health TaskforcesecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021In partnership with the Mental Health Taskforce, Ascension Hospital, and Evanston Public Library, Evanston Latinos hosted online meetings offering a space to discuss mental health, provide support, and share mental health resources.
• Ascension HospitalsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnered with Evanston Latinos and the Mental Health Taskforce to host online mental health meetings and provide mental health resources to the community.
• Joining Forces for Affordable HousingsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Evanston Latinos' Promotoras were selected by Joining Forces for Affordable Housing to assist in the Equitable Zoning Project, conducting nearly 100 interviews to identify impacts of Evanston's zoning code on residents' ability to access equitable and affordable housing.
• Evanston Police Department (Latino Liaison - Cesar Galindo)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Evanston Police Department's Latino Liaison, Cesar Galindo, was an invited speaker at the Cafecitos community gatherings, providing community members an opportunity to engage with city law enforcement and learn about available services.
• YWCA Evanston/North ShorecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020In Fall 2021, Evanston Latinos partnered with YWCA Evanston/North Shore to identify key relationships to ensure immigrant survivors have access to critical services. The partnership included developing public awareness content, scheduling presentations for immigrant communities, co-facilitating awareness events, and recruiting and training immigrant community members as 'Promotoras' (community health advocates). 10 immigrant community members were recruited and trained as community advocates.
• Evanston AidsecondaryOthers · 1 January 2020Listed as an important community resource alongside Evanston Latinos in the community resources section, providing additional support services to the Evanston community including undocumented individuals and families.
• Connections for the HomelesssecondaryOthers · 1 January 2020Referenced as a key housing resource partner in Evanston Latinos' community resources page. Connections for the Homeless provides housing-related support to community members regardless of legal status, with contact information provided to Evanston Latinos' community members.
• Erie Family HealthsecondaryOthers · 1 January 2020Referenced as a healthcare resource partner in the community resources section, providing healthcare services to community members referred through Evanston Latinos' resource network.
• YWCA Evanston/North Shore (Health and Wellness)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020YWCA Evanston/North Shore is a key partner referenced across health and wellness programs (Promotoras) and domestic violence/sexual assault services, connecting immigrant survivors to a full array of critical services through coordinated outreach and advocacy.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Enlace Chicago: Community development organization serving the Latino population in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood through workforce, education, and advocacy programs. Highly comparable to Evanston Latinos in mission, target population, and coalition-based delivery model, though operating at a larger scale and in a different geography.
• The Resurrection Project: Faith-based Latino community organization in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood focused on immigration, economic opportunity, civic engagement, and community organizing. Shares Evanston Latinos' combination of advocacy, economic development, and cultural programming for Latino families.
• Erie Neighborhood House: Chicago-based nonprofit providing education, workforce, and family support services primarily to Latino and immigrant communities. Comparable in offering early childhood education, adult education, and family resource navigation alongside community-building programming.
• Casa Central: Hispanic social services agency in Chicago providing early childhood education, workforce development, senior services, and community programming. Comparable scope and target population, though operating at significantly larger institutional scale.
• Spanish Coalition for Housing: Chicago-area nonprofit providing housing counseling, financial education, and foreclosure prevention services primarily to Latino families. Directly comparable to the housing-related advocacy and resource navigation work Evanston Latinos performs through Joining Forces for Affordable Housing.
• Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE): National Latino workforce development nonprofit with Chicago presence focused on career advancement, leadership development, and small business support. Comparable to Evanston Latinos' Early Childhood Teacher Pipeline and Small Business & Entrepreneur Collective on workforce and economic mobility.
• Centro de los Derechos del Migrante: Migrant worker rights organization serving Mexican and Central American workers in the U.S. Comparable to Evanston Latinos on immigrant-focused advocacy, community health worker (Promotora) models, and resource navigation for undocumented community members.
• Howard Area Community Center: Chicago-based community organization providing social services, education, and youth programming on the city's north side, including to Latino residents. Comparable in operating model as a community-led nonprofit delivering diverse programs across education, family support, and community engagement.

Broad incumbents

• Latino Policy Forum: Statewide Illinois policy and advocacy organization advancing issues affecting the Latino community through research, coalition building, and civic engagement. Overlaps with Evanston Latinos on the Latine Coalition's advocacy and civic representation agenda, but operates at a much broader state level.
• Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR): Statewide immigrant and refugee rights coalition coordinating policy advocacy and member services across Illinois. Overlaps with Evanston Latinos on coalition-building, advocacy, and serving undocumented community members, though at a much larger geographic and institutional scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Evanston Latinos