Highland Park Neighbors Magazine Articles

For the first time in its history, Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) has awarded over $1 million in Annual Grants — a major milestone in our mission to support and uplift the Highland Park-Highwood community! This year, we awarded 64 Annual Grants totaling $1,012,240 to support a wide range of essential services that improve the lives of residents. From early childhood education and youth development to mental health services, support for individuals with disabilities, and cultural arts programming, these grants help strengthen vital programs and expand opportunities for residents of all ages and backgrounds.

Since our founding, HPCF has awarded nearly $8 million in grants to nonprofits serving our community. This includes $240,000 in emergency COVID grants (awarded in 2020 and 2021), and $490,000 in Highland Park Shooting Recovery Fund grants (distributed in 2023 and 2024).

Our commitment to healing continues. In 2025, organizations supporting ongoing recovery needs were invited to request additional funding through our Annual Grants — ensuring this critical work can move forward.

HPCF is proud to support more than 60 organizations that provide essential services to Highland Park and Highwood residents.

“It’s incredible to be able to support so many critical needs,” said Craig Leva, HPCF Board Member. “Every dollar we grant has a direct impact where we live. As a board, we are always thinking about how we can make a real di`erence by funding programs that address a wide range of needs.”

Cere Woods, another HPCF Board Member, added, “I am continually impressed by the leadership of our grant recipients and the scope of needs they address. Their dedication to bettering the community is something I am proud to support.”

Reflecting on the significance of our Annual Grants, former Board Chair David Reich shared, “Many of these organizations are facing very real challenges — decreased funding, rising needs, and economic pressures. Supporting and uplifting our community has never been more important.”

HPCF’s 2025 Annual Grant recipients include: 112 Education Foundation, A Safe Place, Art Impact Project, Arts of Life, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts, Blessings in a Backpack Highland Park, Cancer Wellness Center, Center for Enriched Living, Collaborative Community Housing Initiative, College Bound Opportunities, Community – The Anti-Drug Coalition, Community Partners for A`ordable Housing, Curt’s Café, Direct Giving Lab, East on Central Association, Erie Family Health Centers, Family Focus HP, Family Service of Glencoe, Focus on the Arts, Glenkirk, GPF Foundation, Gratitude Generation, Heart of the City, Highland Park After Prom, Highland Park Community Early Learning Center, Highland Park Historical Society, Highland Park Public Library, Highland Park Strings, Highwood Public Library & Community Center, Housing Opportunity Development Corporation, HPHS – Estudiante to Student Mentor Program, HPHS – Homework Club, HPHS – National Hispanic Institute, JCFS Chicago, JCYS Highland Park – George W. Lutz Family Center, Josselyn, Keeping Families Covered, Keshet, Kids Rank, Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, Mothers Trust Foundation, Music Institute of Chicago, North Shore School District 112 – Service Learning, North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association, Omni Youth Service, Operation Warm, Parks Foundation of Highland Park, Partners in Aging, Pilgrim Chamber Players, Roberti Community House, SaLT – Service and Learning Together, The Art Center Highland Park, The Record North Shore, Time to Dance, Tri-Con Child Care Center, United Way of Lake County, Uptown Music Theater of Highland Park, Willow House, Working Together, Youth Services, and Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center.

HPCF’s grant recipients recently shared how vital our support is to their work, and how it strengthens the Highland Park-Highwood community.

Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB), founded in 1983, has long worked to combat food insecurity. In 2017, they launched their Mobile Market in response to rising needs in Highland Park and Highwood.

“We started the Mobile Market in 2017 when we saw increased need in the community,” said Hester Bury, Development O`icer at Northern Illinois Food Bank. “Before COVID, we served about 80 families at each distribution event. That number surged to 300-400 during the pandemic, and we’re still consistently serving 200-300 families each month from the Fort Sheridan Metra Station parking lot.”

The Mobile Market o`ers an anonymous, dignified way for people to access food — especially those who may not feel comfortable going to a food pantry and sharing personal information. “We are so grateful for HPCF. Their grants help us provide staples and fresh produce. And through HPCF’s networking and educational events, we’ve built connections with some truly incredible nonprofits, further strengthening the community.”

Mobile Food Bank

Tri-Con Child Care Center was founded in 1971 after a United Way needs assessment identified early childhood education as the most significant service gap for local families. In response, three local organizations came together to form Tri-Con: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Trinity Episcopal Church (where the Center is housed but maintains no religious a`iliation), and the National Council of Jewish Women.

“Tri-Con Child Care Center is preparing underserved children in our community for kindergarten, helping them build social and emotional skills, and teaching empathy,” said Pam Feinberg, Executive Director.

“HPCF has always been a wonderful supporter. Beyond their annual grants, they provided discretionary funds that recently allowed us to install a security system in the church. With their continued support, we look forward to creating a vibrant space where the next generation of children can thrive.”

Tri-Con Child Care Center

Center for Enriched Living (CEL) was founded in 1968 when two mothers asked a community organization to include their sons with developmental disabilities, so they could experience friendship and belonging like their peers. “That vision grew into a vibrant organization that empowers teens, adults, and seniors with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to experience life’s possibilities through an incredible variety of programs,” said Karen Fay, CEL Grants Manager.

CEL’s programs go beyond social enrichment. They include employment services, adult day programs, mental health support, and inclusive education initiatives to promote empathy and understanding in local schools.

“HPCF’s ongoing support has helped CEL reach more people, deepen our impact, and provide inclusive programs that empower individuals with IDDs to thrive in Highland Park and Highwood,” Fay said. “CEL is proud to be so invested in the community, actively championing inclusion that enriches everyone and creates stronger businesses, schools, and neighborhoods,” she noted, reflecting on the significance of HPCF’s grant.

CEL Bowling Night

The 112 Education Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) serving North Shore School District 112 schools, is celebrating 30 years of enriching educational opportunities, positively impacting more than 14,000 students since its founding. From early investments in iPads and Chromebooks to launching its own grant program, the Foundation has evolved as the District’s needs have changed and has been a vital partner in enhancing how students learn.

Over the past five years, HPCF’s Annual Grants have helped the 112 Education Foundation grow The Robot Revolution, a robust robotics program. “We now have robotics teams in all nine schools, starting in fourth grade, and we are piloting a third-grade program,” said Susan Kaden, Executive Director. Technology-based programs are expensive and constantly evolving. HPCF’s support is essential to keeping the program current, accessible, and growing.”

Robot Revolution

A Community That Cares

HPCF’s Annual Grants play a vital role in strengthening the Highland Park-Highwood community by enhancing the quality of life, expanding opportunities, and helping address unmet needs across all ages and stages of life.

This impact is made possible thanks to the generosity of HPCF donors and the steadfast support of the City of Highland Park. Together, we are building a more inclusive, vibrant, and thriving community — one grant at a time.