The Lake County Community Foundation Awards $800,000 in Grants

The Lake County Community Foundation (LCCF) is pleased to announce that a total of $800,000 has been awarded in grants through the Lake County Community Crisis Relief Fund (the Fund). Those funds support 22 nonprofit organizations working to serve Lake County’s most vulnerable neighbors as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold. Since late March when the permanent fund was established, more than $870,000 has been raised. In the last round of grants through the fund, $200,000 was distributed to seven local nonprofits doing critical work to serve many of Lake County’s hardest hit communities during the pandemic.

“We are proud to support our local nonprofits working on the front lines to support our neighbors struggling during this unprecedented time,” said Maggie Morales, Executive Director of The Lake County Community Foundation. “Although we are approaching Phase 4 of reopening the state, we know that there is still so much need in our communities and that need will continue long-term into the recovery response.”

Through the Fund, LCCF has supported Lake County nonprofits addressing urgent and basic human needs such as hunger, shelter, mental health, rent/utility assistance, senior citizens services and more. Grants awarded through the last funding round include:

· $50,000 to the African American Community Partnership Group (via the Waukegan Public Library as fiscal agent) in support of the coalition’s work to remove barriers to health equity and reduce the impact of COVID-10 for Lake County African American residents.

· $5,000 to the Alliance for Human Services in support of the Alliance’s coordination of the CATCH Initiative (County Action to Counter Hunger), a countywide collaborative of nonprofit, government and other stakeholders working together to ensure that Lake County’s most vulnerable have access to food.

· $30,000 to Hispanic American Community Education and Services (HACES) in support of the organization’s efforts to provide direct assistance for rent, utilities and medication for vulnerable residents who do not qualify for public COVID relief benefits.

· $35,000 to Latino Community Partnership Group (via Curt’s Café as fiscal agent) in support of the group’s plan to provide Latino community members with safety kits including PPE equipment to help prevent the spread of COVID and protect our county’s vulnerable families.

· $40,000 to Mano a Mano Family Resource Center to provide direct assistance to undocumented individuals and families who are left out of all state and federal COVID-19 relief programs.

· $15,000 to North Chicago Community Partners in support of the organization’s Community Care Plan implementation which provides North Chicago Community Unit School District 187 students and families with critical care items such as food, engagement and learning activities, resources for parents, and connection to a broader community of support.

· $25,000 to North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic in support of the organization’s domestic violence and housing legal services for low-income Lake County residents left vulnerable by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funding decisions are informed and guided by a Crisis Response Team comprised of representatives of LCCF, Lake County Health Department, Lake County Community Development Division, Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County and community residents. Through the team’s diligent work in identifying the most critical needs in Lake County, the Crisis Relief Fund will continue to provide area nonprofit health and human service providers with quick and well-coordinated funding to agencies grappling with a sharp increase in demand for services in the wake of COVID. This permanent fund is a countywide resource now in the face of COVID-19, but will also be available for future community and countywide emergencies as well, allowing the Foundation to respond quickly to unanticipated community need.

Applications for grants are made by invitation only. Grants through this fund will support emergency food and basic supplies, interim housing and shelter, primary health care services, utility and financial assistance, supports for school children and other vulnerable populations, nonprofit safety and operations assistance and more.

Community members and businesses can learn more or donate via credit card HERE, write a check payable to “The Lake County Community Foundation” and reference “The Lake County Community Crisis Relief Fund” in the memo line (Mail check to: 114 S. Genesee, Suite 505, Waukegan, IL 60085), or make a wire transfer or gift of stock by contacting Wendy Richter, Manager of Donor Services & Operations, at wendy@lakecountycf.org for the Foundation’s gift instructions.

ABOUT THE LAKE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Lake County Community Foundation (LCCF), an affiliate of The Chicago Community Trust, brings together philanthropists and donors, dollars and ideas to build permanent funds to benefit Lake County, Illinois – today and for generations to come. Since 2003, LCCF has grown to nearly $15 million in assets, and has served as a catalyst for generosity and change; a connector of people and organizations; and as the permanent steward of charitable funds dedicated improving the lives of the most vulnerable residents of Lake County.

LCCF has awarded grants totaling over $6 million to nonprofit agencies serving the residents of Lake County and beyond. The organization provides leadership on key issues, insight on emerging trends and helps donors learn more about local needs to make their giving as effective as possible. Through collective philanthropy and by partnering with others, LCCF’s donors help make a greater impact together than any one organization can make alone. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.lakecountycf.org/.

GROWING PHILANTHROPY, BUILDING COMMUNITY

###