A newly formed charitable organization in Lake Forest has awarded its first round of grants, marking the beginning of what its founders hope will become a lasting source of financial support for local nonprofits.
The Community Fund of Lake Forest recently distributed its inaugural grants, a milestone in the organization’s effort to create a reliable, long-term funding stream for charities serving Lake Forest residents.
Director and founding member Bruce Grieve said the idea grew out of his years of working with nonprofit organizations and witnessing how much time and energy is devoted to fundraising rather than direct service.
“My thought was that this would be a wonderful benefit for our community,” Grieve said. “If charities can spend less time raising money and more time focusing on their missions, everyone benefits. The goal is to create a predictable source of funding they can rely on year after year.”
Largely modeled after the Highland Park Community Foundation, the Community Fund was established in 2023. Board members have spent the past two years building the organization and developing its structure as an endowment — a fund designed to generate ongoing financial support through investment earnings.
Earlier this month, the organization awarded $2,500 grants to six nonprofits with ties to Lake Forest: Fill A Heart 4 Kids, Mother’s Trust Foundation, A Safe Place, Dickinson Hall Senior Center, CROYA, and the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be selected as one of the first recipients,” said Annie McAveeney, founder and executive director of Fill A Heart 4 Kids. “It’s wonderful and meaningful to see support directed toward helping at-risk youth in our community.”
Grieve said the endowment currently holds just under $200,000, with hopes that it will continue to grow over time, allowing the Community Fund to expand both the number of grants awarded and the dollar amounts.
“It’s our neighborhood gift to our neighbors,” he said.
The Community Fund will work in coordination with the Lake County Community Foundation, which will handle administrative functions as well as investments. Each year, the Community Fund board will review grant applications from local organizations, consulting with other nonprofits, school representatives, and city officials to find unmet needs in the community.
To qualify, organizations must either be based in Lake Forest or provide direct services to Lake Forest residents, Grieve said.
He further explained that the fund operates like a traditional endowment, similar to those found at colleges and universities. Donations are invested, and a portion of the earnings is distributed annually while the principal remains intact.
“The larger the endowment grows, the more we can give back,” he said.
Former Lake Forest Mayor George Pandaleon, who also serves on the board, said the Community Fund mirrors successful models in other communities and is designed to provide consistent, long-term support.
“There will be ongoing contributions through these grants in perpetuity,” Pandaleon said.
He added the Community Fund received some initial funding and plans are in place to grow the endowment by reaching out to the community and some small-scale fundraising events.
“It’s going to grow organically over time,” Pandaleon said. “It is going to be there forever.”
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
