Highland Park Community Foundation Grant

The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) is a private philanthropic organization committed to addressing unmet needs and enhancing the quality of life for residents in Highland Park and Highwood, Illinois. The HPCF provides annual grants to support local nonprofits and governmental agencies in delivering impactful services across a range of areas including education, human services, disability support, senior services, and cultural arts. In 2025, HPCF’s Annual Grants Program integrates its response to the 2022 Highland Park Shooting into its regular grantmaking efforts. The 2025 Annual Grants cycle accepts applications from organizations that are tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3), operate under a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) status, or are governmental entities. An essential eligibility criterion is that at least 51% of the population served through the funded program or service must reside in Highland Park or Highwood. Organizations not headquartered in these areas may apply if their program beneficiaries meet the residency threshold. The application process distinguishes between first-time and returning applicants. First-time applicants, including those denied in previous cycles or not funded in the past three years, must submit a letter of interest by April 15, 2025, for pre-approval to apply. Approved first-time applicants and those who received a grant within the past three years must complete and submit their applications by July 15, 2025, at 5 PM Central Time. All applications must be submitted online. Each applicant is assigned a liaison from the HPCF Board of Directors to facilitate understanding of the organization and its needs. Applicants may request funding for one or more programs using a single application. Funding is typically provided for specific programs and services, not for general operating expenses, with rare exceptions. Grants generally range from $1,000 to $50,000. First-time awardees typically receive between $1,000 and $3,000. Grant funds must be used within 12 months of distribution, and recipients must submit an interim report along with high-resolution photos (unless exempted for privacy reasons) and adhere to HPCF’s publicity guidelines. The evaluation process involves multiple layers of review by Board Members, including liaison meetings with applicants, group deliberations in August and September, and final award decisions by the full Board. The key review criteria include proposal clarity, community impact, organizational strength, past compliance, and the potential to leverage other funding sources. Public comments will be accepted during the opening of the Board’s June 11, 2025, meeting. The 2025 Annual Grants will be distributed at an event on October 29, 2025. Organizations not selected for funding will receive personal feedback via phone from a member of the Grants Committee. Applicants or interested parties can contact Terri Olian, HPCF’s Executive Director, via email at terri@hpcfil.org or by phone at 847-433-4100 for additional information or assistance with the grant process. Printed materials and photos should be submitted electronically; if postal mail is necessary, the mailing address is Highland Park Community Foundation, P.O. Box 398, Highland Park, IL 60035.

Organizations can apply for multiple programs in one application. Justify any increase in funding request compared to prior years.