Highland Park Community Foundation Breaks Funding Record for Grants, Scholarships

The information below comes from the Highland Park Community Foundation.

Times are tough when it comes to finding revenue sources for social service, cultural, educational and environmental agencies these days. Between governmental cuts and reductions in funding from previously reliable sources, it has become more difficult than ever for Highland Park and Highwood agencies to make ends meet. But when the economy is bad, the need for the services these agencies provide to at-risk and under serviced citizens become even greater. This is a dilemma that is being played out from one town to the next.  It’s times like these when we look to community foundations, which are privately funded by local citizens, to help bridge the gap.

The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) was established in 1992 to meet the unmet social service, cultural, educational and environmental needs of Highland Park and Highwood, and to promote philanthropy in the community. Over the past 20 years, the HPCF has grown its endowment and, in turn, has been able to increase the amount of grants and scholarship money it has been able to award on an annual basis.  The Board currently consists of 21 volunteers from the community.

“This year, with our community’s needs greater than we have ever seen before, we were proud to be able to fund a record $131,700 in grants. We have a dual focus on cultural needs and agencies that work in Highland Park and Highwood that benefit our residents most at risk. Often times, these are the members of our society who live or work right next door and need our help the most.”  Andy Livingston, Chairman, HPCF

2012 HPCF Grant Recipients

Anixter Center
The Art Center of Highland Park
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Catholic Charities
College Bound Opportunities
East on Central
Estudiante to Student
Family Network
Family Service, Bilingual Counseling
Family Service, Nuestro Center
Focus on the Arts
Friendship Circle
Golden Apple
Highland Park Community Nursery School
Highland Park Library – Digitized Media Center
Homework Club, HPHS
JCYS
Midwest Young Artists
Music Institute of Chicago, Highland Park Campus
National Hispanic Leadership, HPHS
Pilgrim Players
Sunday Soccer, Swim & Dance Program, HPHS
South Lake County Faith in Action
Tri-Con

Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center

The Highland Park Community Foundation continues to have a solid financial base, with an Endowment Fund balance of more than $2,500,000.  But with the needs of the community growing and resources dwindling, the Board’s vision is to grow their Endowment Fund to $3,000,000 allowing them to issue $150,000 in grants in subsequent years. More information, including how to donate, can be found by visiting the website, www.hpcommunityfoundation.com. Donations can also be mailed to the Highland Park Community Foundation, P.O. Box 398, Highland Park, IL 60035.