ANNUAL GRANT RECIPIENTS

All Grant Recipients

2023 Grant Recipients
On October 25, 2023, we distributed 63 annual grants, totaling $784,825 at a casual event for our grantees. Grant recipients mixed and mingled with each other and Board members and posed for a commemorative photo. The organizations included in the images above are just some of the nonprofits and agencies we supported with annual grants this year. We are most grateful for all they do to address needs of residents and expand opportunities for children and adults throughout Highland Park and Highwood. For more photos, click here.

ANNUAL GRANT RECIPIENTS

We are pleased to announce the distribution of 63 annual grants, totaling $784,825, to the following organizations.
2020 Grant Recipients

2020 annual grant recipients

We are pleased to announce the distribution of 52 annual grants, totaling $512,550, to the following organizations.

Additional Award Recipients

Aaron Burke, HPCF Personal Achievement Award, Cookie Anspach Kohn, Jack Blane Community Service Award, Josh Chodoroff, Nairy Hagopian, Katrina Tolemy, HPCF Golden Apple Award, Funding for Music at Food Truck Thursdays (Jens Jensen Affiliated Fund)

2020 grant recipients

A Safe Place Anixter Center Best Futures Big Brothers Big Sisters Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts Blessings in a Backpack Highland Park Cancer Wellness Center Catholic Charities – Lake County Senior Services Center for Enriched Living Collaborative Community Housing Initiative College Bound Opportunities Community – The Anti-Drug Coalition Community Partners for Affordable Housing Cradles to Crayons Curt’s Cafe Direct Giving Lab Family Focus Highland Park Family Service of Lake County – Community Counseling Family Service of Lake County – Latino Educational Continuum Glenkirk Gratitude Generation Highland Park After Prom Highland Park Community Early Learning Center Highland Park Historical Society Highland Park Public Library Highland Park Strings Highwood Public Library HPHS – Estudiante To Student Mentor Program HPHS – Homework Club Jewish Child & Family Service – Response Jewish Council for Youth Services - Lutz Family Center Keshet Kids Rank Midwest Young Artists Conservatory Mothers Trust Foundation Music Institute of Chicago North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic Northern Illinois Food Bank Operation Warm Parks Foundation of Highland Park Project Shop N’ Drop Rainbows for All Children Save A Star Drug Awareness Foundation Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Volunteers The Art Center Highland Park The Josselyn Center The Stuart I Raskas Friendship Circle of Illinois Tri-Con Child Care Center Uptown Music Theater Working Together Youth Services Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center

Additional Award Recipients

Aaron Burke, HPCF Personal Achievement Award Cookie Anspach Kohn, Jack Blane Community Service Award Josh Chodoroff, Nairy Hagopian, Katrina Tolemy, HPCF Golden Apple Award Funding for Music at Food Truck Thursdays (Jens Jensen Affiliated Fund)

2019 annual grant recipients

The Highland Park Community Foundation is pleased to announce the following organizations received grants at the HPCF’s 2019 Grant Awards Reception.

Other Awards

Arden Yazic, HPCF Personal Achievement Award Patty Pell, Jack Blane Community Service Award Patricia Castro, HPCF Golden Apple Award Music at Food Truck Thursdays (Jens Jensen Affiliated Fund)

2019 grant recipients

A Safe Place Anixter Center Best Futures Big Brothers Big Sisters Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts Blessings in a Backpack Highland Park Cancer Wellness Center Catholic Charities – Lake County Senior Services Center for Enriched Living Center for Independent Futures College Bound Opportunities Community – The Anti-Drug Coalition Community Partners for Affordable Housing Curt’s Cafe East on Central Association Family Focus Highland Park Family Service of Lake County – Community Counseling Family Service of Lake County – Latino Educational Continuum Focus on the Arts, Inc. Glenkirk Highland Park Community Nursery School & Day Care Center HPHS – Estudiante to Student HPHS – Homework Club HPHS – National Hispanic Institute HPHS – Working Together Programs Highland Park Historical Society Highland Park Public Library Highland Park Library Highland Park Strings Jewish Child & Family Service – Response for Teens Jewish Council for Youth Services - Lutz Family Center Keshet Kids Rank Midwest Young Artists Conservatory Mother’s Trust Foundation Music Institute of Chicago North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic Northern Illinois Food Bank Parks Foundation of Highland Park Pilgrim Chamber Players Rainbows for All Children Save A Star Drug Awareness Foundation Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Volunteers The Art Center Highland Park The Jordan Michael Filler Foundation The Josselyn Center The Stuart I Raskas Friendship Circle of Illinois Tri-Con Child Care Center Youth Services Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center

Other Award Recipients

Arden Yazic, HPCF Personal Achievement Award Patty Pell, Jack Blane Community Service Award Patricia Castro, HPCF Golden Apple Award Music at Food Truck Thursdays (Jens Jensen Affiliated Fund)

2019 Grant Awards Reception Program

The grant awards were presented at a Reception on November 13, 2019

2019 Grant Awards Reception Photos

See photos from the 2019 Grants Awards Reception.

2019 Grant Awards Reception Speeches

View presentation speech text of Nancy Mills, Alyssa Knobel, Sara Sher, Patricia Castro, Alicia De La Cruz, David Reich, Xochitl Rodriguez and Isabella Cruz.

2019 Grant Awards Reception Speeches

Nancy Mills Click Here
Alyssa Knobel Click Here
Sara Sher Click Here
Patricia Castro Click Here
Alicia De La Cruz Click Here
David Reich Click Here
Xochitl Rodriguez Click Here
Isabella Cruz Click Here

2018 annual grant recipients

The Highland Park Community Foundation is pleased to announce the following organizations received grants at the HPCF’s 2018 Grant Awards Reception.

2018 Awards Previously Presented

Chicano College Bowl, Jason Estrada, HPCF Personal Achievement Award, Alyssa Knobel, Jack Blane Community Service Award, John Mall…

2018 grant recipients

A Safe Place Anixter Center Big Brothers Big Sisters Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts Blessings in a Backpack Highland Park Catholic Charities – Lake County Senior Services Center for Enriched Living Center for Independent Futures College Bound Opportunities Community – The Anti-Drug Coalition East on Central Association Family Focus Highland Park Family Service of Lake County – Community Counseling Family Service of Lake County – Latino Educational Continuum Focus on the Arts, Inc. Glenkirk Highland Park Aquatics Club Highland Park Community Foundation Golden Apple Highland Park Community Nursery School & Day Care Center HPHS – Homework Club HPHS – National Hispanic Institute HPHS – Working Together Programs Highland Park-Highwood Legal Aid Clinic Highland Park Library Highland Park Strings Jewish Child & Family Service – Response Jewish Council for Youth Services (Lutz Family Center) Jordan Michael Filler Foundation Kids Rank Midwest Young Artists Conservatory Mother’s Trust Foundation Music Institute of Chicago Northern Illinois Food Bank Pilgrim Chamber Players Random Acts of Flowers Chicago Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Volunteers Stuart I Raskas Friendship Circle of Illinois The Art Center Highland Park Tri-Con Child Care Center Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center

2018 Awards Previously Presented

Chicano College Bowl Jason Estrada, HPCF Personal Achievement Award Alyssa Knobel, Jack Blane Community Service Award John Mall, HPCF Golden Apple Award Music at Food Truck Thursdays (Jens Jensen Affiliated Fund)

2018 Grant Awards Reception Program

Thanks to the generous support of many individuals, families, foundations, and corporate sponsors, we are able to make a strong impact on the community…

2018 Grant Awards Reception Photos

See photos from this years 2018 Grants Awards on Oct 17, 2018.

2018 Grant Awards Reception Speeches

View presentation speech text of Nancy Mills, Alyssa Knobel, and David Reich.

2018 Grant Awards Reception Speeches

David Reich Click Here
Alyssa Knobel Click Here
Nancy Mills Click Here

2017 annual grant recipients

The Highland Park Community Foundation is pleased to announce the following organizations received grants in 2017.

2017 grant recipients

Anixter Center The Art Center Highland Park Big Brothers Big Sisters Blessings in a Backpack Highland Park Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago
Lake County Senior Services
Center for Enriched Living Center for Independent Futures CJE SeniorLife College Bound Opportunities Community – The Anti-Drug Coalition East on Central Association Family Focus Highland Park (formerly Family Network) Family Service of Lake County – Community Counseling Family Service of Lake County – Latino Educational Continuum Focus on the Arts, Inc. Highland Park Aquatics Club Highland Park Community Nursery School & Day Care Center Highland Park Golden Apple Highland Park High School
Homework Club
Highland Park High School
National Hispanic Institute Summer Program
Highland Park High School
Working Together Programs for 3-12 Year-Olds
Highland Park/Highwood Legal Aid Clinic Highland Park Strings Jewish Child & Family Service – Response Jewish Council for Youth Services Kids Rank Midwest Young Artists Conservatory Music at Food Truck Thursdays (Jens Jensen Affiliated Fund) Music Institute of Chicago Northern Illinois Food Bank Pilgrim Chamber Players Random Acts of Flowers Chicago Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Volunteers Stuart I Raskas Friendship Circle of Illinois Tri-Con Child Care Center Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center

2017 Grant Awards Reception Program

The grant awards were presented at a Reception on October 18, 2017.

2017 Grant Awards Reception Photos

View a gallery of photos from the event here.

2016 annual grant recipients

The Highland Park Community Foundation is pleased to announce the following organizations received grants in 2016.

2016 grant recipients

Anixter Center The Art Center of Highland Park Big Brothers Big Sisters Catholic Charities of Lake County
Senior Citizen Support Services
Center for Enriched Living Center for Independent Futures College Bound Opportunities Community – The Anti-Drug East on Central Family Network Family Service of Lake County
Community Counseling
Family Service of Lake County
Latino Educational Continuum
Focus on the Arts Food Truck Thursday
Music At Jens Jensen Park
Highland Park Golden Apple Program Highland Park Community Nursery School & Day Care Center Highland Park High School
Estudiante to Student
Highland Park High School
Homework Club
Highland Park High School
National Hispanic Institute
Highland Park High School
Working Together Enrichment Program
Highland Park/Highwood Home Child Care Association Highland Park/Highwood Legal Aid Clinic Highland Park Library Lego Robotics Team Jewish Child & Family Service
Response Center
Jewish Council for Youth Services (JCYS) Kids Rank Midwest Young Artists Pilgrim Chamber Players Raskas Friendship Circle Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Tri-Con Child Care Center Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center

2015 annual grant recipients

The Highland Park Community Foundation is pleased to announce the following organizations received grants in 2015.

2015 grant recipients

Anixter Center The Art Center of Highland Park Big Brothers Big Sisters Catholic Charities of Lake County
Senior Citizen Support Services
Center for Enriched Living Center for Independent Futures College Bound Opportunities Community – The Anti-Drug East on Central Family Network Family Service of Lake County
Bilingual Counseling
Family Service of Lake County
Nuestro Center
Family Service of Lake County
Latino Youth Initiative
Family Service of Lake County
Rosewood Park Pool Study
Focus on the Arts Highland Park Community Nursery School & Day Care Center Highland Park Golden Apple Award Highland Park High School
Estudiante to Student
Highland Park High School
Homework Club
Highland Park High School
National Hispanic Institute Leadership Scholarship
Highland Park High School
Sunday Soccer and Swim/Saturday Art Enrichment
Highland Park/Highwood Home Child Care Association Highland Park - Highwood Legal Aid Clinic Jammin’ in Jensen Jewish Child & Family Service/Response Jewish Council for Youth Services Midwest Young Artists Pilgrim Chamber Players Raskas Friendship Circle Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Tri-Con Child Care Center Welfare Council – Community Education Forum Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center