Highland Park Community Foundation 2018 Grant Awards Reception Distributes Record-Breaking $200,000 in Grants

The Highland Park Community Foundation held the 2018 Grant Awards Reception on Oct. 17 at the Highland Park Community House in downtown Highland Park. This year, the Foundation awarded a record-breaking $200,000 grants to nonprofit agencies and programs, an increase of 11 percent over 2017's gifts.

Since 1992, HPCF has provided support to expand the services of social, cultural and educational agencies in Highland Park and Highwood.

"The foundation is honored to provide grants to these worthy organizations in Highland Park and Highwood who tirelessly serve those in need and provide necessary programs to assist the citizens of our community," said Nancy Mills, chairman of the Highland Park Community Foundation.

The evening began with a celebratory cocktail reception and opening musical interlude provided by grant recipients, Midwest Young Artists. Chairman Mills welcomed attendees to the evening's program which included guest speakers, honorees, grant recipients and HPCF Board Members. Community leaders in attendance included City Councilmen Dan Kaufman, Alyssa Knobel and Kim Stone; Moraine Township Supervisor Anne Bassi; Monica Schroeder, Deputy Superintendent at North Shore School District 112; and Interim Principal of Highland Park High School Deborah Finn.

2018's guest speakers and honorees include: Highland Park Community Foundation Golden Apple Committee Chair Sara Sher; Northwood Junior High seventh-grade social studies/academic exploration teacher and 2018 Highland Park Golden Apple Award recipient Jon Mall; Zacharias Center Director of Development and grant recipient Ali Barnett; HPHS student Maria Bautista, who participated in programs sponsored by the foundation; and City Councilman and 2018 Jack Blane Community Service Award Recipient Alyssa Knobel. Vice Chairman David Reich closed the evening's special award segments.

Reich presented the 40 grant awards to Highland Park and Highwood's dedicated community organizations who are devoted to serving those in need. For a complete list of the HPCF 2018 Grant Recipients, visit hpcfil.org/2018/10/17/highland-park-community-foundation2018-grant-recipients.

"It is the foundation's goal to support a robust number of programs and organizations that enrich our community and provide the full spectrum of services ranging from early childhood development to teen leadership, assistance for older residents, and much more. These programs are necessary for ensuring that Highland Park/Highwood continue to be an inclusive and dynamic community and provide opportunities for all of its citizens to thrive," Reich said.

The annual Jack Blane Community Service Award, launched in 2014, honors the memory of Jack Blane and his exemplary work within the community. A founding member and previous Chairman of HPCF, Blane's commitment to serving others extended to all aspects of his life. Blane served his country as a Marine, and also served his local community by offering humanitarian services as a Rotarian and by serving as a Councilman for the city of Highland Park. This year's recipient of the award was City Councilman Alyssa Knobel.

"Alyssa's selfless desire to do good in the world inspires us all," Mills said. "She is extremely generous, passionate and capable."

The 2018 Highland Park Community Foundation Grant Awards Reception was supported by the corporate following sponsors: @properties, Autohaus on Edens, Binny's Beverage Depot, Elevate Creative Group, First Bank of Highland Park, Highland Park Bank & Trust, Holland & Knight, The Jacobs Companies, LLC, Keyth Security, Kovitz Investment Group, Lodestar Investment Counsel LLC, Long Grove Confectionery Co., Martin Associates, Porsche Exchange, RMB Capital, Guy Scopelliti Landscape Inc, Sunset Foods, Tucker Development, and Valerie Wilson Travel Inc. The Highland Park Community Foundation would like to offer special thanks to Sunset Foods for providing all food, beverages, and décor for the event.

The HPCF accepts grant proposals from agencies and organizations that have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. The population they serve must be at least 51 percent Highland Park/Highwood residents. All grant proposals must be received by July 15 of the application year. For more information, visit hpcfil.org/guidelines-and-procedures.

For information about the Highland Park Community Foundation, visit www.hpcfil.org.