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.
Highland Park Community Foundation at a glance
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.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $958,525
- -12.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 42
- -4.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $22,822
- -8.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $13,713
- Total assets
- $7,597,648
- +11.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (3 of 42, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Highland Park Community Foundation
- 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. The Board makes final funding decisions. Recipients must submit an interim grant report and follow the Foundation’s publicity guidelines.
- 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.
- Deadline
- The 2026 first-time applicant letter of interest is due by 5 p.m.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 398, Highland Park, IL 60035
Phone: (847) 433-4100
Website: https://hpcfil.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Highland Park Community Foundation
Annual Grants Program
Highland Park Community Foundation
Amount
Varies by organization
Deadline
Deadline not published
Highland Park Community Foundation Grant
Highland Park Community Foundation
Amount
US $1,000 - US $50,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
HPCF Golden Apple Award
Highland Park Community Foundation
Amount
$2,000 cash award + $500 Apple Gift Card
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Highland Park Community Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Josselyn ($105K). Together the top 10 received $556K.
Grant Size Distribution
197 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 168 grants of 197 (85%).
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 2024 grant dollars across all 42 itemized grants.
States
Cities
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 (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $520K (2019) to $1.3M (2022). In 2024 it made 42 grants totaling $959K.
Grants by year
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 |
Ready to take the next step with Highland Park Community Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The Foundation’s 2024 filing reports 42 grants, 2023 reports 44, and 2022 reports 42.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,597,648 | $1,558,647 | $1,306,183 | $958,525 | 42 | $228,815 |
| 2023 | $6,833,031 | $1,580,645 | $1,424,262 | $1,100,674 | 44 | $155,571 |
| 2022 | $5,984,594 | $7,667,491 | $6,808,790 | $1,250,750 | 42 | $105,779 |
| 2021 | $6,032,633 | $1,130,817 | $845,233 | $651,225 | 36 | $103,403 |
| 2020 | $5,300,035 | $1,004,363 | $797,097 | $661,369 | 33 | $88,938 |
| 2019 | $4,685,316 | $978,185 | $657,904 | $520,000 | 28 | $104,033 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
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
The Foundation makes annual grants through an application process 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.
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 42 grants totaling $958,525. The grants ranged from $5,500 to $105,000, with a median of $13,712. Among the largest were $105,000 to Josselyn for general operating support and shooting recovery; $74,000 to Highwood Library & Community Center for general operating support and shooting recovery; $64,500 to North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic for general operating support; and $56,000 to Family Focus HP for program support.
For first-time applicants, the Foundation requires a letter of interest before an application. This includes organizations that have never applied, whose last request was denied, or that have not received a grant in the past three years. The letter must describe the need, target population, and program or service cost, and include nonprofit, fiscal-agent, or governmental-status information, the organization leader’s name, and program supervisor contact information. The target population served must be at least 51% Highland Park or Highwood residents. First-time applicants must be approved before submitting a full application. Approved new and returning applicants submit the application online; supplemental materials are submitted as a single PDF by email. The Foundation says first-time applicants’ requests may not be for endowments, capital projects, or fundraising events.
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 2019
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Betsy Brint
Director
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2022
Chairman → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cookie Anspach Kohn
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Craig Leva
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Reich
Director
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2021
Chairman → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jean Meadows
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Kraff
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Small
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bobbie Hinden
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cristina Mota
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jamie Strait Muller
Director
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
Jon A Levey
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2019
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
David Israel
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Don Stewart (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Joe Reinstein (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Karen Reisin (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Sofia Alvarez (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Tom Koulentes (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Nancy Mills (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Peter Flanzer (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Robyn Schuster (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Wally Nathan (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Tonia Arrington (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Deborah B Cogan (2019) — Director
- Former: Jamie Strait (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $106K, to Terri R Olian (Executive Director).
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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. See mission & focus areas ↑
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 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 24, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 2, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Highland Park Community Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Highland Park Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
First Bank Chicago Foundation
Highland Park, IL
The foundation supports charitable, educational, religious, and scientific organizations, with grants backing areas such as affordable housing, education, health, and community services. It primarily funds Illinois organizations; grants ranged from $50 to $34,690 in 2024, with a median of $1,000. It does not limit giving to preselected organizations, and the profile says to contact Jill Takiff Hirsch; no application form or deadline is specified.
Assets
$17K
Grants
144
Total Given
$452K
United Way of Lake County Inc
Gurnee, IL
United Way of Lake County supports youth opportunity, early childhood education, family needs, and community resiliency, primarily in Lake County, Illinois, with some grants to Illinois and Wisconsin organizations. Its 2025 filing lists six grants totaling $137,397, ranging from $7,685 to $51,000; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$8.8M
Grants
6
Total Given
$137K
The Lake County Community Foundation
Grayslake, IL
The Lake County Community Foundation funds nonprofits addressing basic needs and improving quality of life for Lake County residents, including work in food access, housing, health care, education, transportation, and legal support. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,500 to $230,829, with a median of $25,500. It accepts letters of inquiry for its Growing Communities grants; food-system and some other grants are by invitation.
Assets
$26.9M
Grants
44
Total Given
$1.5M
John and Kathleen Schreiber Foundation D/B/A Schreiber Philanthropy
Lake Forest, IL
The John and Kathleen Schreiber Foundation supports early childhood and K-postsecondary education, health, housing, immigrant justice, and basic needs and economic mobility in Lake County, with a focus on Chicago and Lake County, Illinois, especially Chicago’s South and West Sides. In 2024, grants ranged from $15,000 to $3 million, with a median of $262,500. It does not accept unsolicited requests; applications are by invitation only.
Assets
$185.2M
Grants
60
Total Given
$32.4M
Healthcare Foundation of Highland Park
Highland Park, IL
The foundation funds healthcare and related services, including direct care and prevention, in the area served by Highland Park Hospital, including Highland Park and surrounding communities. It gave $817,500 through 20 grants to 19 organizations in 2024, but no typical grant size is stated; the profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$41.6M
Grants
15
Total Given
$1.6M
Goodman Family Fund
Lake Forest, IL
Assets
$345K
Grants
23
Total Given
$46K
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Highland Park Community Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/highland-park-community-foundation-morg_b4007acae5a046e48a437f9fea60d1e6
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363819818_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Highland Park Community Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/highland-park-community-foundation-morg_b4007acae5a046e48a437f9fea60d1e6},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Highland Park Community Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Highland Park Community Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?