Highland Park Community Foundation Grant

The Highland Park Community Foundation Grant supports local organizations addressing unmet needs in education, human services, and the arts, among others. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $50,000, with first-time applicants often receiving between $1,000 and $3,000. Applicants must have 501(c)(3) status and demonstrate community impact in Highland Park or Highwood. HPCF does not provide grants for operating expenses.

NOTE:  New applicants and those who applied for but were not awarded an Annual Grant from the HPCF in the past three years must be approved to submit a grant application. For approval, please submit a letter to the HPCF as described in the First Time Applicants section of our website by 5 PM Central time on April 15, 2026.
Background
The Highland Park Community Foundation was established in 1992 at the request of the City of Highland Park to build and maintain a permanent endowment fund. The fund serves to support and expand the services of social service, cultural, educational and environmental agencies in Highland Park and Highwood. It is also used to nurture the early stages of new and innovative programs.
For the past several years, the HPCFhas provided Annual Grants to address unmet needs in the following 5 main categories: education, human services, services for individuals with disabilities, senior services, and the creative and cultural arts. If your organization addresses a need outside of these funding categories, please contact us. You may still be eligible to apply for an Annual Grant.
Funding support has been provided only for specific programs and services, except for applicants that previously received funding support for general operating expenses from the City of Highland Park through its Cultural Arts Commission. Given the current circumstances, the Board may, in exceptional cases, fund requests for operating expenses.
Annual Grants generally fall in $1,000 to $50,000 range and depend on the funds available for distribution in any given year as well as the nature of each request. If you received an Annual Grant in the prior year and intend to ask for more than you previously received for the same program or service, you should support your new larger request with significant data or reasons to support the increase.
Grants awarded to first-time applicants are typically in the $1,000-$3,000 range.

Eligibility

Who can apply for an annual grant?Only organizations that have 501(c)(3) status, have a fiscal agent with 501(c)(3) status, and governmental entities.Applicants must provide programs and services that are consistent with the Foundation’s mission of addressing unmet needs and expanding opportunities for all Highland Park and Highwood residents.51% or more of the recipients of the program or service for which you seek funding must reside in Highland Park or Highwood.Grants are expected to be used for their intended purpose within 12 months.

Ineligibility

In general, the HPCF does not provide grants for debt reduction, pass-through grants, interim or bridge funding, fundraising activities or events, endowments, private foundations, or political activities.