The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) is honored to welcome not only Gregory Auto Group as our 11th Corporate Champion, but also to have Jonathan Plotkin join our Board of Directors. The HPCF relies on local businesses as well as committed community members to further our mission of addressing unmet needs in our community and expanding opportunities for all Highland Park and Highwood residents. With Gregory Auto Group’s help, we will be able to fund essential services nonprofits provide for children and adults. Jonathan brings with him a creative perspective that will be used to further our mission in other respects.

Gregory Auto Group has served the Highland Park and Highwood community as a family owned and operated car dealership for the past 35 years. In addition to their extraordinary customer service, they are known for helping customers find the perfect car that suits their specific needs, and for ensuring the best deal possible. With several dealerships throughout the Chicagoland area, including Gregory Hyundai and Gregory Genesis of Highland Park, Gregory Mitsubishi in Lake Villa, Gregory Infiniti of Libertyville, and a variety of used car lots, their expert staff are available to fulfill all automobile-related needs for the community.

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) has continued to address the needs of Highland Park and Highwood’s children, families, and seniors during the COVID-19 crisis. The Foundation has awarded a third round of emergency grants totaling $34,380. With a total disbursement of $119,730, the Foundation has provided 40 grants to assist organizations providing critical assistance to the community.

For over 30 years, the Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) has provided annual grants to nonprofits and governmental agencies that support residents and enhance the vitality of the Highland Park and Highwood community. These grants focus on maintaining and enhancing programs for residents that pertain to education, human services, senior services, services for individuals with disabilities, and the creative & cultural arts.

Creative and Cultural Arts

Arts and culture are not luxuries, they are essential commodities with social, economic, and health benefits. We are proud of the fine arts, music, writing, and literature programs and resources available to Highland Park and Highwood residents. For our community to reap their full benefits, however, there needs to be equitable access to them and expanded opportunities for their growth.

HPCF is pleased to support and promote creativity at a grassroots level by investing in recurring festivals, events, and programs that promote arts and cultural participation, celebrate diversity, foster connections, and provide creative experiences for residents of all ages.

The Highland Park Community Foundation has launched a Corporate Champion Program to provide the opportunity for businesses to become philanthropic partners and help the Highland Park/Highwood community at a time when communities need support like never before.

Mesirow Financial has signed on as HPCF’s first Corporate Champion, making a substantial commitment at the Platinum level. The independent, employee-owned financial services company has pledged a 5-year commitment to support the foundation’s mission to address unmet needs of Highland Park and Highwood residents.

On June 4, 2023, runners will race to honor the victims of the Highland Park shooting and benefit impacted community members. The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) is proud to be the charitable partner of the Highland Park Strong Half Marathon, 5K and 1 Mile Run (or walk), formerly known as the North Shore Classic. One of the best in Chicago, the half marathon begins in downtown Highland Park and makes its way north past historic sites in Fort Sheridan before heading back to downtown HP. The 5K and 1 Mile Run/Walk make a quick loop around the neighborhood. There is a virtual option for those who want to participate at a distance, and there will be a post-race celebration for participants as well as the entire community.

Ventures Endurance is known for producing unique races and athletic events that bring communities together in an active way. After nearly five decades of producing the North Shore Classic, Stuart Wall, Senior Director, Event Development & Operations at Ventures Endurance, says this year is “an inflection point” for the event in light of the Highland Park shooting. Reflecting on what makes this year’s race different from those in the past, he said, “we are enhancing the community atmosphere and participant experience by engaging more local partners, extending the post-race celebration, and creating meaningful connections with neighbors. We look forward to welcoming new runners and non-runners to the event and 1 Mile walk. We will also remember those impacted by the shooting.” Participants can raise money for the HPCF’s July 4th Recovery Fund, which will be distributed to local organizations dedicated to providing mental health, legal, and other services for impacted community members.

The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) has recognized three well-deserving Highland Park High School teachers with 2020 HPCF Golden Apple Awards. This year’s honorees are Josh Chodoroff, HPHS Band Director; Nairy Hagopian, Spanish Teacher; and Katrina Tolemy, Special Education Essentials Teacher.

“The Highland Park Community Foundation is privileged to honor Josh, Nairy, and Katrina as the HPCF’s 2020 Golden Apple Recipients,” said Sara Sher, HPCF Golden Apple selection committee chair. “We want to recognize these exemplary teachers for the valuable work they do every day on behalf of the children in our community. The Highland Park Community Foundation celebrates these extraordinary individuals for their positive impact and their teaching in both the classroom and the virtual world.”

Community members and many others will walk and ride together for gun violence prevention on August 20 at Rock The Ride North Shore.

Rock The Ride was established in 2018 in the aftermath of a mass shooting in Yountville, California, when Congressman Mike Thompson and Ride Napa Valley Event Producer Rebecca Kotch wanted to find a way to use their voices to say “enough” to gun violence. The annual ride is also a way to raise funds for organizations that are supporting those impacted by gun violence or dedicated to gun violence prevention. Rock The Ride North Shore will include a 25-mile ride, a 12-mile ride, and a 3-mile walk.

After six years in Napa, California, Rock The Ride is coming to the North Shore and will honor the victims and survivors of the Highland Park shooting. Congressman Brad Schneider, Rebecca Kotch and Highland Park resident Pam Faulkner are spearheading the effort to produce the event, which will benefit the Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) and two national organizations, the Giffords Law Center and Moms Demand Action/Every Town for Gun Safety.

The Highland Park Community Foundation bolstered the work of 15 community agencies that assist Highland Park and Highwood residents with a fourth round of COVID-19 grants totaling $25,000.

With this round of emergency funding, the HPCF has now disbursed 55 grants, totaling close to $145,000, to community organizations that are dedicated to serving Highland Park and Highwood residents in need of emergency assistance during the pandemic.

Agencies benefiting from this additional round of grants include: A Safe Place, Center for Enriched Living, Cradles to Crayons, Family Focus Highland Park, Family Service of Lake County, Glenkirk, Gratitude Generation, Highland Park Community Early Learning Center, Highwood Public Library, Jewish Council for Youth Services, Keshet, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Project Shop N’ Drop, The Josselyn Center, and Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center.

Sarah Douglas knew exactly what to expect at home plate after she belted a walk-off—or sudden-victory—solo home run for DePaul University’s softball team in an NCAA playoff game more than two decades ago.

Countless high fives from her teammates; hugs that hurt and felt good at the same time; joyous slaps to her helmet; and ear-splitting cheers.

A freshman first baseman at the time, Douglas survived the raucous welcoming from a throng of ecstatic Blue Demons on the University of Iowa softball diamond.

Some 23 years later, in a Highland Park High School gymnasium on May 9, 2024, Douglas—while teaching a physical education class—absorbed another unforgettable celebration that she did not see coming.

“I was shocked,” the 42-year-old recalls. “I had no idea at all.”

A slew of people, in various forms of gait, had entered the gym on that day, from Douglas’ parents, identical twin, spouse, two daughters, and other loved ones, to proud and delighted colleagues and Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) members.

The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) recognized Cookie Anspach Kohn with the 2020 Jack Blane Community Service Award.

“We are thrilled to honor Cookie with the annual Jack Blane Community Service Award,” said David Reich, HPCF chairman. “Her dedication to service within our community along with her selfless efforts to improve the lives of others are inspiring and truly embody the spirit of this award.”

“To be recognized as this year’s Jack Blane Community Service Award recipient is an honor,” said Cookie Kohn. “I am extremely grateful to Jack Blane for his leadership and generosity and the friendship we shared. I am also so grateful to serve as a Highland Park Community Foundation Board member. I have learned so much from the organizations that provide critically needed services for Highland Park and Highwood residents.”