History

The North Suburban Youth Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, is the successor to The Optimists Club of Wilmette/Evanston, which was chartered in 1923.

From 1923 until April 2010, we were members of Optimist International. In 2009, our club absorbed the Optimist Club of Evanston and renamed itself the Optimist Club of Wilmette/Evanston.

Beginning in the early months of 2010, by unanimous vote the Board of Directors with much input from our members voted to reconstitute the organization as an independent local entity: The North Suburban Youth Foundation.

In our new form we continue to provide financial support in the form of scholarships to deserving youth, grants to non-profit organizations that provide for local area youth. We also have continued our commitment to the prevention, treatment and search for a cure of juvenile cancer by hosting the annual Childhood Cancer Classic Golf Tournament. While we are still providing support to many of the same organizations, we are always open to finding new organizations to partner with as well.

We currently are committed to helping youth and enhancing communities throughout the northern suburbs.

 

Mission, Vision & Core Values:

Mission: The mission of the Foundation is to provide hope, opportunity, guidance, positive role models and financial support to individuals and nonprofit agencies in order to help young people in myriad ways.

Vision: The North Suburban Youth Foundation will be recognized as the area’s primary organization of men and women committed to the improvement of youth and service to our community.

Core values: The core values of our Foundation are to:

• Generate funds to provide academic scholarships for individuals and grants to youth-serving nonprofit agencies.
• Offer hands-on support for programs designed to help young people develop, grow and participate in a variety of learning experiences.
• Cooperate with other nonprofit groups in planning and conducting youth-related projects.