Reflections – December 2018

We think of you with gratitude as we reflect on the impact we have had on our community over the past 26 years.

Thank you for helping to make it possible.

Make A Difference in Our Community!
Support Our Efforts Today

Dear Friend of the Highland Park Community Foundation

In October, we awarded the most money and distributed the largest number of grants in our history: $200,000 to fund 40 different programs and services that address the unmet needs in our community and enhance the quality of life for all Highland Park and Highwood residents! With these grants, we continue to change lives.

Yet, there are still many unmet needs – as evidenced by the fact that we received $145,000 more in grant requests than we were able to fund.The needs are real and they are great.

If you have already made a donation to support our annual fundraising campaign, thank you for helping us change lives! If you have not, please give as generously as you can today to further our efforts to improve people’s quality of life and enrich our community. An anonymous local donor has generously authorized a $25,000 matching challenge grant to apply to donations made NOW!

HPCF 2018 Grant Awards Reception

The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) held its 2018 Grant Awards Reception on Wednesday, October 17th at the Highland Park Community House in downtown Highland Park. This year, the Foundation awarded a record-breaking $200,000 in grants to nonprofit agencies and programs, an increase of 11% over 2017’s gift total.

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.

HPCF Honors Jon Mall of Northwood Jr. High as Recipient of the 2018 Highland Park Golden Apple Award

The Highland Park Community Foundation is pleased to announce the Golden Apple Award recipient for 2018. This year’s deserving honoree is Jon Mall, Northwood Junior High 7th Grade Social Studies and Academic Exploration teacher.

Jon Mall changed his profession after 9/11 from a career in film and journalism to teaching. Teaching is his calling, and he feels as though he is a better person because of the children who touch him daily. Northwood Junior High is Jon’s home, and teaching is his passion. Throughout his teaching career, he has touched thousands of lives with this passion and with his outstanding teaching skills. Jon encourages his students to speak up, take risks, and push themselves to be the best that they can as they learn. The mantra on the wall in his classroom and his interactions with the students encourage every child walking into his room to: “Be Bold. Be Loud. Be Wrong.”

HPCF Honors Jon Mall of Northwood Jr. High as Recipient of the 2018 Highland Park Golden Apple Award

The Highland Park Community Foundation is pleased to announce the Golden Apple Award recipient for 2018. This year’s deserving honoree is Jon Mall, Northwood Junior High 7th Grade Social Studies and Academic Exploration teacher….

HPCF Recognizes HPHS Student Jason Estrada with a Personal Achievement Scholarship Award at the HP Chamber of Commerce Student Honor Dinner

The Highland Park Chamber of Commerce hosts an annual dinner to recognize exceptional young people who have been selected by the high school based on various criteria. Sponsors, like the HPCF, provide scholarships to seniors from HPHS to help enable these outstanding students to continue their studies after high school….

Supporting our Grantees

The Highland Park Community Foundation is a proud sponsor of the Highland Park–Highwood Legal Aid Clinic’s Night at the Movies celebrating their 2nd Anniversary.
WHEN: Thursday, May 11th, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Reception at Beelow’s, 1850 2nd Street, Highland Park and Film Screening next door at the Landmark Renaissance Place Cinema

Braeside Teacher Recipient of the 2016Highland Park Golden Apple Award

Mrs. Cindy Rossman (K-1 Braeside) is this year’s final recipient of the Highland Park Community Foundation’s prestigiousHighland Park Golden Apple Award. Mrs. Rossman was surprised with a special all school assembly when she was presented with balloons, golden delicious apples, a golden apple statue, a $2000 check, and a $500 gift card to the Apple store. Children, colleagues , administrators, parents, and retired educators attended the exciting assembly.

Grants in Action – Tom Koulentes named 2015 Recipient of the Jack Blane Community Service Award

Tom Koulentes, Principal of Highland Park High School, became the second recipient of the Jack Blane Community Service Award on October 27, at the Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) Grants Awards Reception.

The Foundation & Family Service are proud to meet their goals

In February, the Foundation offered a proactive grant challenge to Family Service to work together and raise $27,000. These funds were to be used to increase professional staff capacity in Family Service’s Latino Youth Initiative (LYI) at Highland Park High School. The Foundation agreed to provide half the funds if Family Service was able to raised the remaining balance. Three months later, members of both organizations and contributing donors met to celebrate the successful completion of the challenge.