Highland Park Community Foundation Distributes $512,550 for 2020 Annual Grant Awards
52 programs and services benefiting Highland Park/Highwood residents receive funding
G. Mandel
The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) announced its annual grants distribution for 2020. The Foundation awarded $512,550 in grants to support 52 programs and services provided by local nonprofits to assist and enrich the lives of Highland Park and Highwood residents.
This year's grants were funded primarily by contributions from the community in support of the Foundation's annual fundraising efforts, with additional funds coming from the Foundation's endowment fund. The remaining $50,000 was funded by a grant from the City of Highland Park.
"We're proud to provide such a significant amount of grant funding to address unmet needs of our community. This year's allocation more than doubled the amount of funding distributed in 2019 ($225,00), which was our previous high," said David Reich, chairman of the Highland Park Community Foundation.
Since 1992, HPCF has provided support to expand the services of social, cultural, and educational agencies in Highland Park and Highwood. Each year, the Foundation is proud to provide grants to support organizations that address unmet needs in our community and expand opportunities for all Highland Park and Highwood residents.
"2020 has been one of the most difficult years we have ever experienced," said Mr. Reich. "The cancellation of Ravinia Festival resulted in a $250,000 reduction of City funding for nonprofits, which left a significant shortfall for programs that serve Highland Park and Highwood residents. The HPCF Board felt it was our responsibility to fill the gap when there are so many critical needs to address."
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Grant Awards Reception, at which the HPCF's annual grants are generally announced, was cancelled. Grant recipients were instead notified of their awards via mail at the end of October.
This year's annual grant award recipients include: A Safe Place, Anixter Center, Best Futures, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts, Blessings in a Backpack Highland Park, Cancer Wellness Center, Catholic Charities Lake County Senior Services, Center for Enriched Living, Collaborative Community Housing Initiative, College Bound Opportunities, Community The Anti-Drug Coalition, Community Partners for Affordable Housing, Cradles to Crayons, Curt's Cafe, Direct Giving Lab, Family Focus HP, Family Service - Bilingual Community Counseling, Family Service - Latino Education Continuum, Glenkirk, Gratitude Generation, Highland Park After Prom, Highland Park Community Early Learning Center, Highland Park Historical Society, Highland Park Public Library, Highland Park Strings, Highwood Public Library, HPHS - Estudiante To Student Mentor Program, HPHS - Homework Club, JCFS Chicago - Response for Teens, Jewish Council for Youth Services Lutz Family Center, Keshet, Kids Rank, Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, Mothers Trust Foundation, Music Institute of Chicago, North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Operation Warm, Parks Foundation of Highland Park, Project Shop 'N Drop, Rainbows for all Children, Save A Star Drug Awareness Foundation, Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Volunteers, The Art Center Highland Park, The Josselyn Center, The Stuart I Raskas Friendship Circle of Illinois, Tri-Con Child Care Center, Uptown Music Theater, Working Together, Youth Services, and Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center.
"The goal of the HPCF is to support the nonprofits and agencies that assist our community," added Mr. Reich. "We are honored to help these organizations provide opportunities for Highland Park and Highwood residents of all ages."
The HPCF accepts grant proposals from governmental agencies and organizations that have 501(c)(3) non-profit status. The population they serve through the HPCF’s funding must be at least 51% Highland Park/Highwood residents. All grant proposals must be received by July 15th of the application year. For more information, please visit: www.hpcfil.org/the-grant-process.
Despite awarding over half million dollars to address the needs of residents, there is more to be done. To support residents in need, please go to: www.hpcfil.org/donation. To learn more about the HPCF, visit www.hpcfil.org.
About Highland Park Community Foundation: The Highland Park Community Foundation was established in 1992 at the request of the City of Highland Park to build and maintain a permanent endowment fund. As the philanthropic heart of the community, the HPCF improves and enriches people's lives with annual grants to nonprofits that provide educational, social service, and cultural programs for Highland Park and Highwood residents. The Foundation's avowed purposes are to expand opportunities and address the unmet needs of the community - needs that are not met by governmental or other sources.