Harper College Educational Foundation awards nearly $50,000 to support opportunities in the community

Harper College recently celebrated the recipients of its 2025-26 Community Impact Fund Grants. The Harper College Educational Foundation program, now in its fourth year, recognized six local nonprofit organizations selected to receive grants for programs that promote equity, diversity and economic mobility.

Dr. Avis Proctor, Harper president, opened the ceremony by reflecting on the growing reach of the grant program: “What an impact our community partners have made.”

She noted that since its inception, the Community Impact Fund Grant program has helped serve more than 2,200 individuals across Harper’s district through initiatives including educational support, housing assistance, inclusive theatre and counseling.

Launched in 2022, the program was partially inspired by an $18 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott the year before. Bill Kelley, chair of Harper’s Board of Trustees, spoke about the grant’s mission to drive transformative change in the community by providing vital support to organizations that uplift underserved and marginalized individuals.

“By extending financial support to nonprofit organizations through MacKenzie Scott’s gift, Harper solidifies its commitment as the community’s college,” he said.

Community Impact Fund Grant recipients for 2025-26 include:

• Barrington Giving Day, Barrington – $5,000 grant for Books Build Futures – Expanding Access to Literacy and Learning, a literacy equity initiative that provides diverse, high-quality books and family literacy support to close opportunity gaps for children and families in underserved communities.
• Kindred Life Ministries, Grayslake – $9,700 grant for Empowering Teen Parents Toward Stability through Life Educational Groups, an expansion of a comprehensive, trauma-informed Life Education Group program to support teen parents and their families in Harper’s district.
• Northwest Compass, Mount Prospect – $10,000 grant for Supporting Youth (18-24) who are Experiencing Housing Instability and Homelessness, a program which helps unaccompanied young adults through financial aid and transportation assistance to pursue higher education and achieve self-sufficiency.
• Special Gifts Theatre, Northbrook – $10,000 grant for Inclusive Musical Theatre Programs, which empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through adapted performances and peer mentorship in the Palatine/Rolling Meadows area.
• Hopeful Beginnings, Palatine – $10,000 for Mothers Achieving Stability: Supporting Teen Parents in Transition, which expands support for pregnant and parenting teens by integrating services at local high schools and addressing barriers to employment and education.
• The Bridge Youth and Family Services, Palatine – $5,000 for The Bridge Youth Mentoring Program, which provides long-term mentoring relationships to youth ages 11-17, fostering positive development and helping them navigate academic, social and emotional challenges.

Sonia Ivanov, executive director of Northwest Compass, said that she and her colleagues were excited when they learned that their nonprofit was among the Community Impact Fund Grant recipients. She said they understand the difference this financial support will make in the lives of the young adults who are homeless or on the verge of homelessness.

“We are just so honored. This grant will help our youth change the trajectory of their lives and reach their full potential,” Ivanov said. “Youth is 100% of our future. We can help provide what they need in terms of guidance and assistance to put them on a better path to pursue education and careers.”

Dr. Proctor highlighted that the newly awarded organizations embody the goals of the grant program by using trauma-informed approaches, promoting youth development and meeting complex needs through collaboration. She reflected on the success of the program partners so far.

“These services have helped improve the quality of life, financial stability and overall well-being of the individuals and families served,” she said. “We are not just providing financial support; we are investing in the very fabric of our community.”