Rotary Club provides $26,000 in grant funds to local nonprofits

The Rotary Club of Highland Park/Highwood recently donated $26,000 in grant funding to support the vulnerable residents in the community.

A total of $11,000 in grants benefited local nonprofit organizations, and $15,000 supported North Shore School District 112 to combat food insecurity in the district caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Rotary Club of Highland Park/Highwood awards grants each year to local nonprofit organizations in its communities. The club's primary focuses are direct services to children, elderly, and individuals and families facing substance abuse, physical, mental or financial challenges.

Grant applications are scored based on a range of criteria, including the degree of impact the applicant is capable of having in Highland Park and Highwood, the applicant's need for the funds, the proposed use of the funds, and the alignment of the request to the mission of the Rotary.

"Agencies were selected where our funding would make a difference, and where the Rotary's money would enable delivery of services that would otherwise be unavailable," said Paul Munk, chairman of the club's Charities Committee.

"This year, we attached specific significance to the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities."

The agencies receiving grants this year are Highland Park Community Nursery School and Day Care Center, Mother's Trust Foundation, Tri-Con Child Care, and Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center.

The Rotary Club could not support all the applications for funding. Donations are welcome in order to increase funding in the club's next grant cycle.

Donations can be mailed to the Rotary Club of Highland Park/Highwood, P.O. Box 42 Highland Park, IL 60035. Donations are also accepted via PayPal at www.highlandparkrotary.org.