Highland Area Community Foundation accepting grant applications

By Tribune Staff • The Highland Area Community Foundation is currently seeking applicants for its 2026 grant awards. 

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

The deadline for submissions is June 30.

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. In 2025, 76 grants were awarded totaling $176,188. In the last 30 years, a total of $1.6 million has been awarded in grants and scholarships benefiting more than 100 various groups in the foundation’s service area.

The foundation seeks to grant funds in response to current and emerging needs or gaps in needed services and to strengthen volunteer participation and citizen involvement in community concerns.

Grant applications may be obtained by visiting the Highland Area Community Foundation at 1008 Laurel St., Highland, IL; calling 618-654-4727; emailing

[email protected]; or, downloading from the foundation’s website, www.hacf.org. Specific criteria are listed on the grant application form.