Highland Area Community Foundation seeks grant applicants

The Highland Area Community Foundation is currently seeking applicants for its 2015 grant awards.

Grants are given for not-for-profit purposes and to individuals, organizations, or groups that provide community services within the Highland Community Unit School District and in St. Jacob and Marine townships.

Since its beginning in 1996, the Foundation’s Grant Program has come a long way. In its first year, three grants were awarded totaling $1,500, and in 2014, 54 grants were awarded totaling $65,119. In the last 19 years, a total of $747,197 has been awarded in grants to not-for-profit organizations or groups to benefit the Highland area community.

The Foundation seeks to make grant awards in response to current and emerging needs or gaps of needed services and to strengthen volunteer participation and citizen involvement in community concerns.

“We encourage all the various not-for-profit organizations with projects that better our community or quality of life to apply,” said Paula SheaCalvert, president of the Foundation. “That’s what these funds are for.”

Grant applications may be obtained from the Highland Area Community Foundation at 907 Main St. in Highland, by calling 654-4727, emailing info@hacf.org, or from the Foundation’s website, www.hacf.org. Specific criteria are listed on the grant application form. Deadline for submittal is July 15.

Grant awards will be given at the Grants Banquet Oct. 8, 2015, which will be sponsored by TheBANK of Edwardsville again this year.

The Highland Area Community Foundation is funded through the generous contributions of many who want to make a difference in the lives of others. Donations may be made to any of the Foundation’s various funds, or you may become a Sustaining Member at any time throughout the year. By becoming a Sustaining Member of the Foundation, your contribution goes directly to grants. A complete listing of these funds is available on the Foundation’s website or by calling 654-4727.

This story was originally published May 20, 2015 at 10:50 AM with the headline "Highland Area Community Foundation seeks grant applicants."