After Having to Take Two Years Off, We Were Finally Able to Gather Once Again, and Boy Did It Feel Good!

Thank you to everyone who joined us as we Gathered for Good at Binny’s this past Friday or who supported our event through a sponsorship, raffle ticket purchase, or donation.

We feasted, sipped, and celebrated all the good in our community (as well as some winning numbers!). We also honored Nancy Mills for her exceptional service to our community and beyond.

Funds raised from the event will support our 2022 annual grants for which we have received close to $975,000 in requests. It’s not too late to help us make a difference in the lives of children and adults throughout Highland Park and Highwood.

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Last month, we introduced you to 5 of our incredible Human Services grant recipients. This month – and each month moving forward – we will highlight the tremendous work of other grantees. Your generosity makes their life-changing work possible.

We proudly share that Josselyn was recently awarded Agency Partner of the Year by Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work.

Josselyn is committed to providing resources for equitable healthcare, regardless of income or location, and recently introduced a model where current employees working toward their MSW are able to simultaneously complete an internship at Josselyn.

Read more about Josselyn’s award and its services HERE.

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Several years ago, our Board set out to enhance our grant funding by diversifying our resources for nonprofits that serve our community. Through partnerships with First Bank of Highland Park and Highland Park Chamber of Commerce, we’ve organized six nonprofit seminars, with the seventh scheduled for later this year. We continuously share helpful information to assist our grantees in their work and facilitate connections among them by hosting biannual gatherings.

Networking is essential for nonprofits to build relationships, share knowledge, and exchange resources. Connecting with each other allows organizations to gain insights into effective strategies, tackle common challenges, and explore collaborative opportunities.

We’re delighted to share a photo and unsolicited comments from Sue Kaden, Executive Director of 112 Education Foundation, and Lauren Berndt, Chief Development Office of Keshet, about their recent networking experience, which also included Lisette Zaid from Center for Enriched Living (CEL).

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September was a whirlwind of activity, and we couldn’t have done it without the incredible support from our community! From the 2024 Annual Grants Board meetings to our annual seminar for nonprofits, and especially Gather for Good, we have much to celebrate and reflect on. Thank you for helping us make these moments possible!

We’re excited to share upcoming opportunities to come together again and support HPCF, including the Turkey Trot and a Paint Your Own Cookie fundraiser. Plus, you can nominate a deserving educator for the 2025 HPCF Golden Apple Award. Together, we make a difference for our neighbors in need and for our entire community.

Thanksgiving is Around the Corner!

Register to Participate or Sign up to Volunteer
for the 2024 North Shore Turkey Trot 5K, 10K, and Kids’ Trot!

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As a Community Health Ambassador, we wanted to share some important news.

We do not want to flood your inboxes, but in case you do not subscribe to the City of Highland Park’s newsletters, we wanted to be sure you knew about the City’s vaccination clinic scheduled for April 8th.

The City of Highland Park is hosting a COVID-19 Community Vaccination Clinic on Thursday, April 8, at the Highland Park Country Club, 1201 Park Ave West.

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Great communities are created by people who give where they live or work – lifting each other up and caring for each other with acts big and small.

For 30 years, the Highland Park Community Foundation has supported and celebrated the many great nonprofit organizations that serve the Highland Park-Highwood community by addressing residents’ needs. To help us celebrate our 30th anniversary, we want to spotlight our community members of all ages, businesses, school staff, and city employees who “give where they live” by promoting kindness and answering Dr. Martin Luther King’s call for service.

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The July 4th Fund remains open and will accept donations through Friday, October 7, 2022. At that time, the Fund will officially close so the final amount for distribution to victims and nonprofit organizations can be determined and payment amounts calculated.

Once the initial Fund closes, the Highland Park Community Foundation will establish a new Fund. Donations to the second Fund will be distributed to nonprofit organizations that are addressing needs of victims and community members impacted by the July 4th shooting. The Highland Park Community Foundation will administer the Fund and distribute the donations as grants.

Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to donate by October 7, 2022. Donations can be made at this link.

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As previously announced, when the Highland Park Shooting Response Fund closed, we distributed $5.8 million, 100% of the funds donated, to assist families of the victims who were killed, victims who were physically injured, and nonprofit organizations serving the needs of victims and the community following the shooting.

We also opened a second fund, the Highland Park Shooting Recovery Fund, to accept donations that would be distributed as grants to nonprofits that are addressing continuing needs for mental health and other services resulting from the shooting.

Through the generosity of donors to the Recovery Fund, the HPCF was recently able to distribute $367,000 to support the work of 15 organizations that are providing services for impacted members of our community.

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We are thrilled to announce a significant step forward in our mission with the engagement of Steve Schapiro as our first Director of Philanthropy. As we continue to expand our reach and impact, dedicated leadership in fundraising and development will optimize the success of our efforts in both the short and long term.

Steve brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our organization, and joins us with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the nonprofit sector. His record as an accomplished development professional, coupled with a passion for improving lives, make him an ideal fit for this pivotal role.

The decision to bring Steve on board reflects our commitment to strengthening our fundraising strategies, fostering donor relationships, and securing resources necessary to advance our mission. With his guidance and expertise, we are confident in our ability to expand our reach and make an even greater difference in the lives of children and adults throughout Highland Park and Highwood.

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