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Over the past two years, Harper College’s Community Innovation Fund Grant Program has awarded $150,000 in grants to 11 nonprofit organizations whose missions support the advancement of equity, diversity
and economic mobility for underserved and marginalized communities in the college’s
district.
The Harper College Educational Foundation launched the program in 2022, following MacKenzie Scott’s $18 million gift to Harper in 2021. Scott’s donation came via her equity-focused objective of donating funds to “high-impact organizations.”
The funded projects are having a long-term impact on community members’ lives, with projects and services that range from providing transitional housing to single mothers and children leaving domestic violence situations to providing comprehensive care management to older and disabled adults.
“The Community Innovation Fund has the power to catalyze transformative change within Harper’s district communities,” said Heather Zoldak, chief advancement officer. “By extending financial support to nonprofit organizations, Harper solidifies its commitment as the community’s college, amplifying our outreach and positively impacting countless individuals and families.”
To continue the grant program’s mission of supporting equity, diversity and economic mobility programs in Harper’s district, the Educational Foundation is accepting applications for a third round of Community Innovation Fund Grant Program funding. Online applications are due May 10. Awards will be announced in June.
This year the Community Innovation Fund Grant Program will award multiple one-year grants of up to $10,000 each. Selected organizations may use the funding for various projects, programs, activities and services focusing on uplifting activities with long-lasting impacts and outcomes to residents within the 23 communities of Harper’s service area.
Harper will host a live webinar at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, to provide more details about the program, explain the application process and give attendees the opportunity to ask questions.
“After two successful years of the Community Innovation Fund Grant Program, we continue to be inspired by the nonprofit organizations who have received funding and the immense influence they have on the lives they touch,” said Dr. Avis Proctor, Harper’s president. “Harper and the college’s Educational Foundation remain motivated by the words of MacKenzie Scott: ‘Generosity is generative. Sharing makes more.’”
To learn more about the program, to register for the webinar and to apply, visit the Community Innovation Fund Grant Program webpage. Questions? Please email CIFG@harpercollege.edu.
