Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) recently awarded 65 Annual Grants totaling $873,075 to organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of Highland Park and Highwood. These grants will be utilized to address the educational, human service, creative, and cultural arts needs of young children, teens, families, adults, individuals with disabilities, and seniors in our community as well as expand opportunities for all residents.

Since our founding, we have distributed over $7.3 million in grants to nonprofits serving our community. This total includes $6 million in Annual Grants, $240,000 in emergency COVID grants awarded in 2020 and 2021, and $1,074,500 in Highland Park Shooting Recovery and Response Fund grants distributed in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

HPCF is proud to support more than 60 organizations that deliver essential services to the residents of Highland Park and Highwood. “We’re honored to offer opportunities and support to our neighbors in Highwood and Highland Park,” said Eric Ephraim, Vice-Chair of HPCF’s Governing Board, when reflecting on the importance of the grants in strengthening the foundation of the community. “Each of our board members performs heavy due diligence to ensure that the money we raise is distributed to local organizations that will be effective. This process ensures the success of the funded programs and strengthens our community,” he continued. David Reich, a past Board Chair, added, “These grants, both small and large, have a significant impact on a broad cross-section of the community, enabling organizations to deliver services to those in need or provide educational, musical, or artistic experiences to community members. These grants impact the lives of individuals and enrich the community as a whole.”

HPCF’s 2024 Annual Grant recipients include: 112 Education Foundation, A Safe Place, Art Impact Project, Arts of Life, Arts4Impact, Bella Ru Catering Giving Program, 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 Affordable 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 – 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, Operation Warm, Parks Foundation of Highland Park, Pilgrim Chamber Players, Roberti Community House, SaLT – Service and Learning Together, Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Volunteers, 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.

Grant recipients shared the importance of these grants to their organizations and how the funding can help them strengthen the Highland Park-Highwood community. Susan Bell, Executive Director of College Bound Opportunities (CBO), said, “CBO is very grateful for the support the Highland Park Community Foundation has given to our Scholars from this community over the past 15 years. We are proud to count HPCF as a partner in our growth and success in advancing educational equity. HPCF has had a tremendous generational impact in Highland Park and Highwood, enabling 53 current students and 162 alumni who grew up in this community to earn their college degrees. Many of these graduates have returned here to live, work, and raise their families.” HPCF looks forward to witnessing how CBO will continue to grow and positively impact students’ lives in the future.

CBO Image, Caption: The extended Alonso-Melchor family, all of whom attended Highland Park High School and remain in the Highland Park and Highwood community, visiting freshman Ricky at Illinois State University’s fall family weekend. Pictured are Top Row: Dolores (CBO parent), Denisse (CBO Alumna, UIUC ’20), Ricky (CBO Scholar, ISU; HPHS ’24), Tati (CBO Alumna, UIUC ’12) Bottom: Aylin (CBO Scholar, Lake Forest College ’25), and Nicole (CBO Scholar, HPHS ’25). Not pictured: Diana Melchor (CBO Alumna, SIU ’17)

Reflecting upon the impact of their grant on Highland Park Community Early Learning Center, Executive Director Robin Byster said, “Highland Park Community Foundation’s Annual Grant has been instrumental in enhancing our programs. It allows us to provide high-quality, equitable early childhood education to families in Highland Park and Highwood, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. This support not only benefits the children we serve but also strengthens our community by fostering a foundation for lifelong learning and development.”

Highland Park Community Early Learning Center, Caption: Robin Ruthie with students at the Highland Park Community Early Learning Center on the playground

“We are so grateful for the impactful partnership with HPCF!” stated Amy Rosenfeld Kaufman, Vice President of Community Relations at Community Partners for Affordable Housing. She continued, “The grant we receive supports our Community Land Trust (CLT) program in Highland Park, which provides homeownership opportunities for those who find affordable housing in the community out of reach. Many of our residents describe owning a home in Highland Park that they can afford as ‘a dream come true,’ noting feelings of stability and permanency. In addition, CLT homes are permanently affordable, helping household after household, enabling HPCF’s grant to live on into future generations. What a tremendous contribution to the community!”

Community Partners for Affordable Housing, Caption: Highland Park couple after closing on their new home

The Annual Grants HPCF awards not only uplift individuals but also enhance the community as a whole. This impact is made possible through the generosity of HPCF’s donors and the support of the City of Highland Park. Their contributions help realize our vision of an inclusive, well-rounded, and vibrant community where residents’ lives are enriched through our philanthropic efforts.

Nominations for the 2026 Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) Golden Apple Award are now open!

Each year, the Highland Park Community Foundation recognizes an exceptional teacher through its HPCF Golden Apple Award, honoring an individual who exemplifies excellence in education and makes a lasting impact on their students. In 2026, the award will be presented to a pre-K through 5th grade teacher who goes above and beyond in their dedication to their students, school, and community.

“Each year, we honor an exemplary educator with the prestigious HPCF Golden Apple Award,” said Sara Sher, Chair of the HPCF Golden Apple Committee. “The recipient is chosen based on content knowledge, instruction, staff and student interaction, and contribution to school and community. It is our mission to collect nominations from the community to award a teacher who has dedicated their time and effort to making a difference in their students’ lives through their academic guidance and encouragement.”

2024 HPCFGA Award Winner Jennifer Sobel

Nominations for the HPCF Golden Apple Award will be accepted for full-time teachers currently working in North Shore School District 112 in grades pre-K–5. Community members—including students, parents, colleagues, and administrators—may submit nominations; however, self-nominations and nominations by family members will not be accepted. To nominate an outstanding educator, please visit hpcfil.org and click on “awards” in the navigation bar.

The HPCF Golden Apple Award honoree will receive a Golden Apple statue and the Sara Sher Excellence in Teaching Prize—which includes a $2,000 honorarium and $500 Apple Store gift card. The recipient will be recognized at their school and honored by the NSSD112 Board of Education and HPCF’s Board of Directors.

To be eligible for the award, the nominee must have completed four full years of teaching and be committed to continue teaching in the Highland Park-Highwood public school system for at least two more years. They must also be part of the Golden Apple Selection Committee after receiving the award. Nominations will be accepted until Monday, November 3, 2025, at 5:00 P.M.

Show your appreciation for outstanding educators who make a difference every day by submitting one or more nominations today! For more information or questions regarding the HPCF Golden Apple Award, please contact Sara Sher at sarasher606@gmail.com.

Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) is excited to introduce Steve Schapiro as the Foundation’s 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 to address unmet needs and expand opportunities for all community members. Steve brings with him a vast amount of knowledge and experience to the Foundation and joins us with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the nonprofit sector. His professional background, coupled with a passion for improving lives, make him an ideal fit for this pivotal role.

Native to this area, Steve is aware of the disparities that exist within our community and looks forward to expanding our fundraising platforms to address them. “I am humbled and honored to be working with Highland Park Community Foundation’s dedicated Board and staff. As we look to the future, a focused effort on fund development is required to expand opportunities and address the unmet needs of residents in Highland Park and Highwood, an effort I’m eager to engage in. I look forward to meeting our generous donors and broadening our base of support from the business community, foundations, and individuals,” he said. “Over the next several months, I will also be meeting our partner agencies, who provide the essential and irreplaceable services and programs our residents need. I will be at community events as well to introduce myself to as many people as possible and raise awareness about the Foundation and all we do to strengthen our community.”

Steve Schapiro

Steve is an accomplished development professional with a solid record of success in executing fundraising plans across a wide range of sources including special events, major gifts, and corporate gifts; cause-related marketing; sponsorships; and grants. He has led diverse fundraising teams and collaborates harmoniously with donors, the C-suite, volunteers, staff, and boards. He has held senior-level positions with several leading nonprofit organizations, including the Alzheimer’s Association and, most recently, the Les Turner ALS Foundation as Chief Philanthropy Officer.

“We are thrilled to have Steve Schapiro join our team,” said HPCF Board Chair Laurie Levin. “He has lost no time in meeting our Board members and bringing his wealth of experience in the philanthropy world to help HPCF identify and foster new donor bases, increase the commitments of existing donors, and broaden the initiatives that will enable HPCF to thrive generationally. Steve is approachable and enthusiastic, characteristics that align perfectly with the HPCF’s mission to address the unmet needs of our diverse community.”

Executive Director Terri Olian added, “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 Steve’s 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.”

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Steve as we continue to build a brighter future for our community!

Nominations for the 2025 Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) Golden Apple Award are now open! This annual award honors and recognizes teachers who exemplify excellence in their profession as well as those who leave a lasting positive impact on their students. The HPCF Golden Apple Award will be presented in the spring of 2025 to a teacher in grades 6-8 who demonstrates these qualities.

“Each year, we honor an exemplary educator with the prestigious HPCF Golden Apple Award,” said Sara Sher, Chair of the HPCF Golden Apple Committee. “The recipient is chosen based on content knowledge, instruction, staff and student interaction, and contribution to school and community. It is our mission to collect nominations from the community to award a teacher who has dedicated their time and effort to making a difference in their students’ lives through their academic guidance and encouragement.”

Nominations for the HPCF Golden Apple Award will be accepted for full-time teachers currently working in North Shore School District 112 in grades 6-8. Community members— students, parents, colleagues, and administrators—may submit nominations, however, nominations by family members and self-nominations will not be accepted. To nominate an educator, please visit https://bit.ly/HPCFGA2025.

2024 HPCF Golden Apple Awardee Sarah Douglas and Family Members

The HPCF Golden Apple Award honoree will receive a Golden Apple statue and the Sara Sher Excellence in Teaching Prize—a $2,000 honorarium and $500 Apple Store gift card. The recipient will be recognized at their school and honored by the NSSD112 Board of Education and HPCF’s Board of Directors.

In order to be eligible for the award, the nominee must have completed four full years of teaching and be committed to continue teaching in the Highland Park-Highwood public school system for at least two more years. They must also be part of the Golden Apple Selection Committee after receiving the HPCF Golden Apple Award. Nominations will be accepted until Friday, November 15, 2024, at 5:00 P.M.

Show your appreciation for the outstanding middle school educators who have positively impacted their students by submitting one or more nominations today! For more information or questions regarding the HPCF Golden Apple Award, please contact Sara Sher at sarasher606@gmail.com.

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.