Lake County foundation awards $555,000 to area nonprofits

The Lake County Community Foundation awarded $555,000 in grants to 16 area nonprofits serving the county's most vulnerable residents during the global pandemic, the organization announced this week.

The organization, which is an affiliate of The Chicago Community Trust, has raised more than $715,000 since establishing the Lake County Community Crisis Relief Fund in late March.

Nonprofits being helped include Twice As Nice Mother and Child, which received $75,000 to support area mothers short on infant care supplies such as diapers and wipes. The foundation gave $60,000 to PADS Lake County to house those experiencing homelessness and $50,000 to A Safe Place, the county's leading nonprofit for victims of domestic violence.

The Northern Illinois Food Bank received $50,000. Mano a Mano Family Resource Center got $15,000 to provide direct assistance to undocumented people not part of state and federal COVID-19 relief programs.

"I am so humbled, impressed and heartened by the community's efforts to come together so quickly to raise money," said Maggie Morales, the foundation's executive director. "They are helping ensure that the most vulnerable neighbors can get the help they need."

Morales said so far the majority of the money raised has come via private philanthropy, including both corporate donations and contributions from family foundations.

"People have been incredibly generous," Morales said. "It is really a testament to the love Lake County residents have for each other and the support people want to provide."

As great as the support has been, Morales said at this point in the crisis it is too soon to know if all the nonprofits will be able to continue without more funding.

"This isn't just a temporary crisis, it's really a marathon," Morales said. "I think unfortunately we may see nonprofits which don't recover or have to merge."

To learn more or support the relief fund, visit lakecountycf.org/lake-county-community-crisis-relief-fund.