Highland Park Community Foundation
The Highland Park Community Foundation is a public charity based in Highland Park, Illinois. Established in 1992 at the request of the City of Highland Park, it built a permanent endowment to support social service, cultural, and educational agencies serving Highland Park and Highwood.
Key facts about Highland Park Community Foundation
In short: Highland Park Community Foundation gave $959K across 42 grants in 2024 (avg $23K), mostly in Illinois. 7% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- EIN
- 36-3819818
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $958,525
- Grants made (2024)
- 42
- Average grant
- $22,822
- Median grant
- $13,713
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (3 of 42, 2024)
- Total assets
- $7,597,648
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- First-time applicants must submit a letter of interest for approval; approved new applicants and returning applicants submit the online annual grant application and required supplemental materials. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The 2026 first-time applicant letter of interest is due by 5 p.m.
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing
Total Assets
$7.6M
+11.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$959K
-12.9% YoY
Grant Count
42
-4.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$23K
-8.8% YoY
Is Highland Park Community Foundation open to new grantees?
7%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 42 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $24K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $15K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to support organizations and programs that address unmet needs and expand opportunities for all Highland Park and Highwood residents. Its stated areas of impact include early childhood programs, youth counseling, college readiness, senior services, disability services, affordable legal services, food access, and the arts.
Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, organizations with a 501(c)(3) fiscal agent, and governmental entities. The funded program must directly serve Highland Park or Highwood residents. Examples of grantees’ work include North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, whose mission is to provide free legal services in domestic violence, housing, and immigration; Tri-Con Child Care Center, which provides affordable early care and education; and The Art Center of Highland Park, which provides contemporary visual arts education.
Grantmaking
Review Cycle
** The 2026 first-time applicant letter of interest is due by 5 p.m. Central time on April 15, 2026. The application and supplemental materials are due by 5 p.m. Central time on July 15, 2026.
How to Apply
that includes a board liaison for each applicant and a review of the organization’s governance and finances. Grants support new initiatives and continuing programs; the Foundation also offers proactive grants for identified needs and opportunities.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Highland Park Community Foundation
Annual Grants Program
Highland Park Community Foundation
Amount
Varies by organization
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Highland Park Community Foundation Grant
Highland Park Community Foundation
Amount
US $1,000 - US $50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
HPCF Golden Apple Award
Highland Park Community Foundation
Amount
$2,000 cash award + $500 Apple Gift Card
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with Highland Park Community Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s grant program supports programs and services directly serving residents of Highland Park or Highwood, Illinois. Applicants do not need to be headquartered in either community.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 42 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
197 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Josselyn Northbrook, IL | General Operating Support and Shooting Recovery | $105,000 |
| Highwood Library & Community Center Highland Park, IL | General Operating Support and Shooting Recovery | $74,000 |
| North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic Highland Park, IL | General Operating Support | $64,500 |
| Family Focus HP Highland Park, IL | Program Support | $56,000 |
| Highland Park Community Early Learning Center Highland Park, IL | General Operating Support | $52,500 |
| Tri-Con Child Care Center Highland Park, IL | General Operating Support | $52,500 |
| The Art Center Highland Park Highland Park, IL | Program Support | $50,000 |
| College Bound Opportunities Riverwoods, IL | Program Support | $40,000 |
| Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Volunteers Deerfield, IL | Program Support | $31,000 |
| Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center Gurnee, IL | Program Support | $30,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,597,648 | $1,558,647 | $1,306,183 | $958,525 |
| 2023 | $6,833,031 | $1,580,645 | $1,424,262 | $1,100,674 |
| 2022 | $5,984,594 | $7,667,491 | $6,808,790 | $1,250,750 |
The Foundation’s 2024 filing reports 42 grants, 2023 reports 44, and 2022 reports 42.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,597,648 | $6,833,031 | $5,984,594 |
| Revenue | $1,558,647 | $1,580,645 | $7,667,491 |
| Expenses | $1,306,183 | $1,424,262 | $6,808,790 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $228,815 | $155,571 | $105,779 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Alyssa Knobel, David Reich, David Israel (Treasurer), Betsy Brint, Tami Gilbert, Julie Kraff, Jonathan Plotkin, Craig Leva, Cookie Anspach Kohn, and Bonnie Mervis as directors.
Highland Park Community Foundation is led by Terri R Olian, Executive Director on the 2024 filing; 1 of 23 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Terri R Olian
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$106K (2024)
Laurie A Levin
Chairman
Secretary → Vice Chairman, 2022
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Small
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Betsy Brint
Director
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2022
Chairman → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bobbie Hinden
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cookie Anspach Kohn
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Craig Leva
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cristina Mota
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Reich
Director
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2021
Chairman → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jamie Strait Muller
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jean Meadows
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Kraff
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Taryn Kessel
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alyssa Knobel
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caroline Mead
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Plotkin
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Kelly
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bonnie Mervis
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cere Woods
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tami Gilbert
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Ephraim
Vice Chair
Director → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jon A Levey
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Israel
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Don Stewart (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Joe Reinstein (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Karen Reisin (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Sofia Alvarez (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Tom Koulentes (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Nancy Mills (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Peter Flanzer (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Robyn Schuster (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Tonia Arrington (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Wally Nathan (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 398, Highland Park, IL 60035
Phone: (847) 433-4100
Website: https://hpcfil.org
Frequently asked questions about Highland Park Community Foundation
How much does Highland Park Community Foundation give each year?
Highland Park Community Foundation gave $959K across 42 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 44 grants.
What is Highland Park Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Highland Park Community Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $13,713, and its average grant was $22,822, across 42 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Organizations receiving their first grant from Highland Park Community Foundation that year got $9K on average.
Where does Highland Park Community Foundation give grants?
Highland Park Community Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Highland Park, IL (18 grants), Northbrook, IL (5 grants), Waukegan, IL (3 grants) and Riverwoods, IL (2 grants).
Does Highland Park Community Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 40% of Highland Park Community Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (17 of 42) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (23 grants).
Who are Highland Park Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Highland Park Community Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Josselyn ($105,000), Highwood Library & Community Center ($74,000) and North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic ($64,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Highland Park Community Foundation?
Highland Park Community Foundation reported $7.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Its revenue that year was $1.6M.
What does Highland Park Community Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to support organizations and programs that address unmet needs and expand opportunities for all Highland Park and Highwood residents. Its stated areas of impact include early childhood programs, youth counseling, college readiness, senior services, disability services, affordable legal services, food access, and the arts. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, organizations with a 501(c)(3) fiscal agent, and governmental entities. The funded program must d…
How do I apply for a grant from Highland Park Community Foundation?
First-time applicants must submit a letter of interest for approval; approved new applicants and returning applicants submit the online annual grant application and required supplemental materials. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Highland Park Community Foundation's EIN?
Highland Park Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3819818. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Highland Park Community Foundation by hand.
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