As 2024 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to thank you for your incredible support this year. Your generosity has made a significant impact, helping us fund local initiatives, strengthen our community, and create lasting change for all who call Highland Park and Highwood home. Looking ahead, we remain committed to building on our progress.
If you have not already done so, please consider making a year-end gift. Your donation before December 31st will directly support the important work we do together and help us plan for another year of positive change in our community.
No matter the amount, every contribution makes a difference, and we are deeply grateful for your continued partnership.
Thank you for being a vital part of our community’s success. Together, we can make 2025 even brighter.
“With all best wishes for joyous holidays and a wonderful New Year!”
Highland Park Community Foundation Board and Staff
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We’re just a short time away from Gather for Good (Friday, 9/26) — our favorite night of the year, when community, celebration, and meaningful giving come together in one unforgettable evening.
Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to the event, we invite you to get a glimpse of what makes this night so special.
From the festive atmosphere to the powerful impact,
this is a night you won’t want to miss!
What’s New This Year?
We’re thrilled to feature tasty bites and luscious libations from 32 local businesses, along with 12 Gathered Goods bundles, each valued at $1,000 or more, and 20 amazing silent auction items.
Full details will be shared again before the event — but trust us, you’ll want to come hungry and ready to bid!
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The Coronavirus presents serious challenges for our community.
Thankfully, as we have learned from Highland Park City Manager Ghida Neukirch, a group is meeting weekly and communicating daily about COVID-19 emergency preparedness and community response. This group consists primarily of government representatives from Highland Park, Highwood, and Deerfield; School Districts 109, 112, and 113; Moraine Township and Lake County; and representatives from NorthShore University Health System. Each entity is also in communication with several state agencies, Ravinia Festival, local property owners and businesses, Family Service of Lake County, the Chamber of Commerce, and others, including the Highland Park Community Foundation. As information is developed it is brought back to the community partners group for their consideration and possible action. The extent to which everyone is
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That is likely to be the case for some time. Indeed, our latest round of funding requests exceeded all previous rounds in both number and dollar amount.
To address continuing urgent needs the HPCF Board just approved a 5th round of emergency grants.
We have now provided nearly $170,000 to help our community. There is more we need to do, however, to address COVID-related needs, including:
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SEARCH NO MORE! Use the QR code below or click here to support our year-end appeal and DOUBLE your impact!
A local family foundation is matching, through the end of the year, all new gifts and increases in total donation amounts from gifts made in 2020, up to a total of $25,000!
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Over the past seven weeks, our community has stepped up in such a big way to support those who were impacted by the 4th of July shooting. While we recognize and work to alleviate the grief and sorrow, we also want to recognize the good in our community that flows from the strength and love of our friends and neighbors.
We are, therefore, resuming our annual tradition and will Gather for Good on Friday, September 23rd, at Binny’s Beverage Depot. We hope you will join us as our event takes on special meaning this year.
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A New View of Your Impact
For 31 years, we’ve been asking you to support our efforts to address unmet needs in our community. As the needs have evolved, we’ve been able to count on the consistent and incredible generosity of so many.
You’ve allowed us to lead with impact, and we want to renew our efforts to share that impact with you. Our new, monthly newsletter will be a way to tell you about the individuals and organizations whose work you make possible.
We hope you enjoy your brand new Community Catch Up.
Funding Areas
In 2022, the Highland Park Community Foundation distributed 63 annual grants – totaling $746,925 – to organizations that provide invaluable programs and services to residents in our community. In future editions of Community Catch Up, we will highlight the impact of specific organizations. In the meantime, we are excited to let you explore our 5 funding categories. To see a list of the grantees within each category, click on the images below.
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In our final Community Catch Up of the year, we are excited to share news about Highwood Library and four of our other 2023 Grant Recipients. We also offer you a second bite at the apple!
On December 6th, Highwood Library reopened as Highwood Library & Community Center! In a beautifully renovated space, children and adults will have access to traditional library resources as well as a variety of services and programming. The space will also provide invaluable community collaboration opportunities.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 6, Laura Ramirez, Executive Director, poignantly spoke about the difference the Highwood Library & Community Center will make for residents.
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Throughout the past year, we have seen firsthand the impact of our collective efforts. From supporting educational programs that benefit the youngest members of our community to programs that benefit the most senior, and providing grants to help residents with ongoing needs stemming from the Highland Park shooting, HPCF has been instrumental in fostering a stronger, more resilient community.
Our mission is simple yet profound: to ensure that every resident, regardless of background or circumstance, has the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Through our grants that empower local nonprofits to deliver crucial services, your support makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors.
However, there is still much work to be done. With your generosity, we can further expand our impact and create lasting change where it is needed most.
P.S. A generous donor has agreed to match dollar for dollar all new and increased donations up to $25,000 through December 31. Your contribution will make an even greater impact. Thank you in advance for partnering with us to make a difference!
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Friday, September 26, 2025
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Binny’s Beverage Depot, Highland Park
EVERY DOLLAR RAISED SUPPORTS OUR
LIFE-CHANGING GRANTS
AMAZING RAFFLE PRIZES!
Gathered Goods Bundles of Wow!
Each Raffle Package Valued at $1,000 or more
This year’s raffle is packed with extraordinary prizes from an array of local businesses, boutiques, wellness spots, jewelers, theaters, restaurants and more!
Each package includes gifts from some of your favorite places — plus a few delightful surprises.
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