New Highland Park program helps businesses give back
The Highland Park Community Foundation has launched a Corporate Champion Program to provide the opportunity for businesses to become philanthropic partners and help the Highland Park/Highwood community at a time when communities need support like never before.
Mesirow Financial has signed on as HPCF's first Corporate Champion, making a substantial commitment at the Platinum level. The independent, employee-owned financial services company has pledged a 5-year commitment to support the foundation's mission to address unmet needs of Highland Park and Highwood residents.
"For more than 80 years, Mesirow's commitment to our clients and our communities has included investment in the places where we live and work. We are pleased to be partnering with the Highland Park Community Foundation in a long-term investment to support and enrich the lives of those in and around Highland Park and Highwood," said Richard Price, executive chairman of Mesirow Financial and longtime Highland Park resident.
"We're thrilled that Mesirow Financial has committed its support to provide critical assistance to local nonprofits that both improve people's quality of life and address the community's needs," said David Reich, chairman of the Highland Park Community Foundation.
HPCF's new Corporate Champion Program will appeal to the generosity of businesses that want to give back and champion important programs and services that help the most vulnerable community members. Their financial commitment will reinforce HPCF's mission to address the needs of Highland Park and Highwood residents in five main categories: education, human services, senior services, services for individuals with disabilities and the creative and cultural arts.
Through its annual grants program, the HPCF provides funding for programs and services nonprofits deliver year-round to support Highland Park and Highwood residents.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation has also distributed emergency grants for food and household essentials; PPE; baby supplies; general counseling services and counseling services for victims of sexual abuse; webcams, mobile devices and software upgrades to support remote learning for students; mental health and counseling services for youth and adults; programming for individuals with special needs; housing for victims of domestic violence and their children; affordable legal services in the areas of housing, domestic violence and immigration; and more.
"As a community foundation we are determined to address residents' needs now and in perpetuity," Reich said. "Caring for the members of our community is at the core of HPCF's mission.
"Corporate support allows us to provide grant funding needed to sustain the work of over 50 organizations that provide critically needed programs and services for Highland Park and Highwood residents."
For more information or to become a Corporate Champion, contact HPCF Executive Director Terri Olian, terri@hpcfil.org or (847) -433-4100.
To learn more about the Highland Park Community Foundation and its work, visit hpcfil.org.