---
title: What is Evanston’s small-donor matching program?
url: https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/small-donor-matching/
updated: 2026-10-16
source_policy: every fact carries a numbered source; [n] markers refer to the Sources list
---

[Home](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/) / [Explainers](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/) / Small donations, matched Explainer · Published Fri Oct 16, 2026

# Small donations, matched

More explainers

1. [Why is Evanston electing a mayor in 2027?](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/why-special-election/)
2. [Who serves as Evanston’s mayor until the election?](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/acting-mayor/)
3. [Will Evanston have a mayoral primary in February 2027?](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/february-primary/)
4. [What does Evanston’s mayor do?](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/what-does-the-mayor-do/)
5. [What’s the difference between District 65 and District 202?](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/d65-vs-d202/)
6. [Can Skokie residents vote in Evanston’s school board elections?](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/skokie-voters-school-boards/)
7. [What is the Oakton College board election?](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/oakton-college-board/)
8. [How do I vote by mail in Evanston?](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/vote-by-mail/)

[All explainers →](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/explainers/)

Short answer

Evanston matches small donations to mayoral candidates who opt in, up to $45,000 per candidate per election cycle. The City Clerk’s Office runs the program. [1]

## How it works

- It applies only to mayoral races. [2]
- To qualify, candidates gather 100 small donations and pledge to stay under a contribution limit. [2]
- Taking part comes with debate requirements. [3]
- The City Clerk’s Office oversees the program. [1]

## Background

The City Council approved the program in 2023, [4] making Evanston the first Illinois city with a public match of this kind. [5]

We will list which 2027 candidates take part once the City Clerk reports it.

Related

- [The mayor’s race](https://evanstonvoterguide.com/mayor/)

## Sources

1. City of Evanston, City Clerk — Small Donor Matching System — https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/city_clerks_office/2025_consolidated_elections/small_donor_matching_system.php
2. Daily Northwestern — Small donor match fund aims to level election playing field (Oct. 3, 2023) — https://dailynorthwestern.com/2023/10/03/city/small-donor-match-fund-aims-to-level-election-playing-field/
3. City of Evanston, City Clerk — 2027 Special Mayoral Election — https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/city_clerks_office/2025_consolidated_elections/index.php
4. Evanston RoundTable — Evanston OKs small-donor match program for mayoral elections (Sept. 27, 2023) — https://evanstonroundtable.com/2023/09/27/evanston-oks-small-donor-match-program-for-next-mayoral-election/
5. Sludge — Evanston becomes first Illinois city to counteract big money with public match (Oct. 27, 2023) — https://readsludge.com/2023/10/27/evanston-becomes-first-illinois-city-to-counteract-big-money-with-public-match/