The Lake County Community Foundation concentrates on place-based, operational support for local nonprofits that stabilize families and build pathways to education and economic mobility in Lake County. Its largest single investments are in postsecondary access and scholarships, but it also consistently funds domestic violence/crisis services, housing and homelessness interventions, legal aid, and youth development. Many grants are repeat awards to the same local organizations and include both large one-off gifts and regular operating support.
A $1,000,000 project-support grant to the College of Lake County Foundation stands out in The Lake County Community Foundation’s recent giving and signals how central postsecondary access is in its portfolio. The foundation also backs scholarship programs at scale, including repeated grants to Sedgebrook Opco (sl-vii) LLC for scholarship support in 2023, 2024, and 2025, alongside other education-related awards. Beyond schooling, it funds local nonprofits that serve families facing domestic violence, housing instability, legal needs, and reentry barriers, using a mix of operating, program, and project support. Recent grants also show support for community institutions and service organizations across Lake County, with awards to groups such as North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, Family Service of Lake County, and Boys & Girls Club of Lake County. The pattern is place-based and operational: the foundation appears to favor local organizations that deliver direct services, strengthen community infrastructure, or expand access to education and basic needs. Repeat awards to the same organizations suggest ongoing relationships rather than isolated gifts, especially in scholarship and crisis-response work.
Education is a major thread in the foundation’s grantmaking. In 2025, it gave $62,000 to the University of Wisconsin Foundation for scholarship support, and its broader portfolio includes substantial backing for community college access and scholarship funds. It also invests in community safety and stabilization. The Lake County Crisis Center for the Prevtn & Trmt of Dom Violence Inc received $70,000 in 2023 and then $45,000 in both 2024 and 2025 for operating support, showing sustained support for domestic violence services. Housing and basic needs appear as another area of emphasis: Habitat for Humanity Lake County received $50,000 in 2025 for program support. Reentry and legal support also show up in the grants list, including a $53,000 grant to Legacy Reentry Foundation Nfp in 2024 for program support.
Typical grants cluster in the mid-five-figure range, with p25 at $10,000, median at $24,500, and p75 at $35,000. The recent-grants list shows repeat awards to the same organizations across multiple years, especially for scholarship, crisis services, and operating support, which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts. The foundation is structured as a mixed community foundation and gives primarily through local grantmaking. Its recent grants also include operating, program, project, and building-construction support, with scholarship funding appearing alongside unrestricted support and capital-related awards.
$1.5M
$26.9M
$2.2M
$3.2M
Most grants fall between $10K and $35K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$35K
STEVEN BUGG
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Place-based, repeat-focused giving: a mix of a few large, high-profile gifts (including a seven-figure award) and numerous mid-size recurring operating grants. The foundation prioritizes long-term relationships with local organizations, funding core operations, scholarships, and multi-year program support rather than one-off national initiatives.
Notable grantees: College of Lake County Foundation, Lake County Crisis Center for the Prevention & Treatment of Domestic Violence, Habitat for Humanity Lake County, North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, Ravinia Festival Association
The foundation’s giving is overwhelmingly local: 97% of grants go to recipients in Illinois, and all listed recipient-country grants are in the US. Lake County communities appear repeatedly, including Waukegan, Zion, Round Lake Park, Grayslake, and Gurnee. Higher-education and cultural grants also land in nearby towns such as Highland Park, Lake Forest, and Lincolnshire. A smaller number of awards reach outside Illinois, including Milwaukee, Wisconsin, through the University of Wisconsin Foundation.
Its recent grants go to local nonprofits, educational institutions, and community-serving organizations. Examples in the data include scholarship providers, domestic violence services, legal aid, housing and homelessness organizations, youth programs, and community institutions that receive operating, program, project, or building-construction support.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is centered in the mid-five-figure range: p25 is $10,000, median is $24,500, and p75 is $35,000.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeat awards to several recipients across multiple years, including Sedgebrook Opco (sl-vii) LLC, The Lake County Crisis Center for the Prevtn & Trmt of Dom Violence Inc, Legacy Reentry Foundation Nfp, and Ravinia Festival Association.
Grantmaking is strongly concentrated in Illinois. The data shows 97% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the recipient list includes Lake County communities such as Waukegan, Zion, Grayslake, Gurnee, Round Lake Park, Highland Park, and Lake Forest.
It uses a mix of operating support, program support, project support, scholarship support, and building-construction funding. The active grant programs also include competitive priority areas, invitation-only response grants, and unsolicited application pathways such as the Together Lake County Fund and Community Strength Funding.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Lake County Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations must address animal welfare needs in Lake County, support innovative approaches, or address otherwise unmet needs as the only service provider in the area.
Deadline: The 2025 Animal Welfare grants were disbursed in November 2025; the priority area did not reopen in Spring 2026 and is scheduled to reopen in Spring 2027.
Who can apply: Supports work that builds emerging nonprofit leaders, increases access for leaders of color, and strengthens the overall capacity of Lake County’s nonprofit sector.
Deadline: The 2025 Leadership Development grants were disbursed in November 2025; the priority area did not reopen in Spring 2026 and is scheduled to reopen in Spring 2027.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEDGEBROOK OPCO (SL-VII) LLC | LINCOLNSHIRE, IL | $230,829 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
| RAVINIA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $140,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| PADS LAKE COUNTY | WAUKEGAN, IL | $80,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LAKE-MCHENRY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | GURNEE, IL | $75,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF LAKE | LAKE FOREST, IL | $60,500 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| READING POWER INC | LAKE BLUFF, IL | $60,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LAKE COUNTY CRISIS CENTER FOR THE | ZION, IL | $60,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ANN & ROBERT H LURIE CHILDRENS | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JOSSELYN | NORTHBROOK, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MANO A MANO FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER | ROUND LAKE PARK, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RAGDALE FOUNDATION | LAKE FOREST, IL | $35,153 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WAUKEGAN TO COLLEGE | WAUKEGAN, IL | $34,500 | 2026 | LEADERSHIP DEV. |
| CHICAGO WORKERS COLLABORATIVE | WAUKEGAN, IL | $30,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NORTH SUBURBAN LEGAL AID CLINIC | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $30,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ZACHARIAS SEXUAL ABUSE CENTER | GURNEE, IL | $30,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK | GENEVA, IL | $30,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CASA LAKE COUNTY INC | VERNON HILLS, IL | $30,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KEEPING FAMILIES COVERED | WAUKEGAN, IL | $30,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EQUAL HOPE | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MOST BLESSED TRINITY | WAUKEGAN, IL | $30,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ELDERCARE LAKE COUNTY | WAUKEGAN, IL | $26,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ASPIRE OF ILLINOIS | HILLSIDE, IL | $26,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ROBERTI COMMUNITY HOUSE | LAKE FOREST, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ANTIOCH AREA HEALTH ACCESS ALLIANCE | ANTIOCH, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YOUTH & FAMILY COUNSELING | LIBERTYVILLE, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LGBTQ CENTER LAKE COUNTY | GRAYSLAKE, IL | $21,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ZION BENTON CHILDREN'S SERVICE INC | ZION, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PARTNERS FOR PROGRESS NFP | WAUCONDA, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | SPONSORSHIP |
| BONEFISH & TARPON TRUST INC | MIAMI, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COALITION LEGAL | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DIRECT GIVING LAB | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HIGHLAND PARK COMMUNITY NURSERY | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $12,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FAMILY FIRST CENTER OF LAKE COUNTY | WAUKEGAN, IL | $11,321 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LAKE FOREST COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | LAKE FOREST, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LAKE FOREST GARDEN CLUB | LAKE FOREST, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY CENTER FOR THE ARTS | JACKSON, WY | $10,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LAKE FOREST OPEN LANDS ASSOCIATION | LAKE FOREST, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NEO PHILANTHROPY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NORTH CHICAGO COMMUNITY PARTNERS | LAKE BLUFF, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR IMMIGRANT PROGRESS | WAUKEGAN, IL | $9,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AAUW PRESCHOOL | WAUKEGAN, IL | $7,821 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY | CHICAGO, IL | $7,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TRINITY COLLEGE | HARTFORD, CT | $5,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| RAVINIA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $120,000 | 2025 | BUILDING CONST. |
| SEDGEBROOK OPCO (SL-VII) LLC | LINCOLNSHIRE, IL | $97,248 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $62,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT |
| PADS LAKE COUNTY | WAUKEGAN, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MANO A MANO FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER | ROUND LAKE PARK, IL | $55,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| JOSSELYN | NORTHFIELD, IL | $51,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
SEDGEBROOK OPCO (SL-VII) LLC
$230,829SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
RAVINIA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION
$140,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF LAKE
$60,500OPERATING SUPPORT
OPERATING SUPPORT
WAUKEGAN TO COLLEGE
$34,500LEADERSHIP DEV.
MOST BLESSED TRINITY
$30,000OPERATING SUPPORT
ROBERTI COMMUNITY HOUSE
$25,000OPERATING SUPPORT
ANTIOCH AREA HEALTH ACCESS ALLIANCE
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
LGBTQ CENTER LAKE COUNTY
$21,000OPERATING SUPPORT
ZION BENTON CHILDREN'S SERVICE INC
$20,000OPERATING SUPPORT
COALITION LEGAL
$15,000OPERATING SUPPORT
DIRECT GIVING LAB
$15,000OPERATING SUPPORT
HIGHLAND PARK COMMUNITY NURSERY
$12,000OPERATING SUPPORT
FAMILY FIRST CENTER OF LAKE COUNTY
$11,321PROGRAM SUPPORT
LAKE FOREST GARDEN CLUB
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NORTH CHICAGO COMMUNITY PARTNERS
$10,000OPERATING SUPPORT
CENTER FOR IMMIGRANT PROGRESS
$9,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
AAUW PRESCHOOL
$7,821OPERATING SUPPORT
TRINITY COLLEGE
$5,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
RAVINIA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION
$120,000BUILDING CONST.
SEDGEBROOK OPCO (SL-VII) LLC
$97,248SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
