The Community Foundation offers a number of educational enrichment grants. Click any title in the list at right for more information and eligibility requirements. You may view application instructions and download forms where available.
There are a variety of college scholarships also available through the Community Foundation.
Online Applications
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Start by answering some pre-qualifying questions to determine the grants available to you, then register to apply online for any of the following:
- Carlos Baldoceda Senior Music Award
- Kathleen Marian Garrigan Leadership Award
- James A. Gates District 97 Teacher Scholarship
Spring break and summer provide breaks from the regular school rigor, but it doesn’t necessarily mean relaxation from learning. Both can become times of significant experiential opportunities. Students can learn biology in Costa Rica or Africa, can attend a course at a college campus, or participate in a program in Europe. Some students may qualify and want to participate in these enrichment opportunities, but due to the cost of a program, cannot participate. By giving to an enrichment fund, your gift can assist many students in achieving their goals for summer or spring break enrichment.
Donate online to an enrichment fund or contact Rhea Yap, Director of Fund and Donor Development, 708-848-1560, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., to learn how you can support students in our community.
Click on any of the grants below to show details about deadlines, eligibility and how to apply.
Educational Enrichment Grants
A & D Hewitt Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $250 -$500 awarded to cover either a) the cost of program fees or tuition to attend classes, workshops or seminars; or b) a stipend for your internship.
Description: The A&D Hewitt Memorial Fund has been established under the auspices of the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation in memory of brothers Abel and Don Hewitt. We believe you inspire others when you are your most authentic self and that personal communities today must be inclusive (reflecting persons across all races, cultures, religions, etc.) The fund encourages and enables students to explore possibilities in new and varied areas of interests, expanded cultural experiences, leadership training, and new skills development (i.e. through internships).
Eligibility: Open to high school freshman, sophomores and juniors at OPRFHS or Chicagoland high schools.
Application Deadline: Closed for 2020. Visit our website this fall for updates on the 2020-21 deadline.
Carlos Baldoceda Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $1000 for programs, materials, equipment, or instruction that furthers the applicant's musical goals. The award cannot be used for high school or college tuition or fees.
Description: Carlos Baldoceda was an Oak Park resident who loved music but passed away too soon from brain tumor complications.
Eligibility: Chicago area resident, 14-25 years of age, interested in music.
Application Deadline: Closed for 2020. Visit our website this fall for updates on the 2020-21 deadline.
Carlos Baldoceda Senior Music Award
Amount: $1500 for programs, materials, equipment, or instruction that furthers the applicant's musical goals. The award cannot be used for high school or college tuition or fees.
Description: Carlos Baldoceda was an Oak Park resident who loved music but passed away too soon from brain tumor complications.
Eligibility: Oak Park and River Forest High School Senior; overall Grade Point Average of 3.0 or above; interested in music.
Application Deadline: Closed for 2020. Visit our website this fall for updates on the 2020-21 deadline.
Crystal Charitable Fund
Description: The Crystal fund provides grants up to $4,000 per student to support extended cultural or educational experience “away from home”.
Eligibility:The Crystal Fund provides grants up to $4,000 per student to support extended cultural or educational experiences “away from home”. Grants are limited to youth from the Chicago area aged 13 to 19 years from financially impoverished family situations, and with good academic standing.
Application Deadline: No application deadline. However, you must apply at least 6 weeks before your travel date.
Download Applicant Feedback Form Download Agency Feedback Form
Dring Language Fellowship
Amount: Up to $2,500 to assist one or more recipients for an international travel experience for the purpose of improving or perfecting foreign language skills.
Description: We believe that communication between people of the world is not truly possible without common languages. The Dring Language Fellowship is intended to encourage young people to reach competency and fluency in any foreign language of their choice by providing financial assistance grants for language training, foreign travel and related expenses.
Eligibility: Limited to current students or graduates of OPRFHS.
Application Deadline: Closed for 2020. Visit our website this fall for updates on the 2020-21 deadline.
Apply online: dringfellowship.wordpress.com
Laura Southwick Award
Amount: $500 - $1000 awards to encourage work in the fine and applied arts
Description: This award honors the memory of Laura Southwick who loved the arts and was an Oak Park and River Forest High School graduate in 1986. Find out more about the Laura Southwick Foundation.
Eligibility: High school Freshmen - Juniors
Application Deadline: Closed for 2020. Visit our website this fall for updates on the 2020-21 deadline.
Tom Neumann Summer Learning Scholarship
Amount: Up to $6000 toward participation in an academic, cultural or travel enrichment activity between the junior and senior year of high school.
Description: The Tom Neumann Memorial Fund honors Mr. Neumann's love for travel, appreciation for all types of culture and respect for the inherent worth of all people.
Eligibility: Oak Park and River Forest High School juniors.
Application Deadline: Closed for 2020. Visit our website this fall for updates on the 2020-21 deadline.
Tibensky Academic Enrichment Award
Amount: Up to $2,500 enrichment scholarship
Description: The Tibensky family established this scholarship to provide mentoring and opportunities like those their family received through other programs.
Eligibility: Oak Park and River Forest High School students
Application Deadline: Closed for 2020. Visit our website this fall for updates on the 2020-21 deadline.
Youth Engagement Scholarship (YES) Fund
Description: Provides an avenue for youth in need of financial resources to participate in low cost/no-cost fee-based enrichment programming and activities offered in Oak Park and River Forest.
Eligibility: Eligible organizations in Oak Park and River Forest that offer enrichment programs to children and youth under 18 who live in Oak Park or River Forest; are currently enrolled in school; and qualify for free and reduced lunch.
Application Process: In light of circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 crisis, the YES Fund has closed the grant process for 2020 until further notice. Thank you for your interest.
Application Deadline: Closed for 2020. Visit our website this fall for updates on the 2020-21 deadline.
Professional Development Grants
James A. Gates Oak Park District 97 Teacher Scholarship
Amount: $1,400 loan repayment
Description: This grant is awarded annually to a teacher who aspires to positively affect the futures of their students, embodies a worthy role model for their colleagues, and enhances the quality and the reputation of Oak Park Elementary School District 97.
Eligibility: Certified teachers in their first or second year of teaching in Oak Park Elementary School District 97.
Application Deadline: Closed for 2020. Visit our website this fall for updates on the 2020-21 deadline.
Kathleen Marian Garrigan Leadership Award
Description: The Kathleen Marian Garrigan Leadership award was established to commemorate the life of Kathleen Garrigan and inspire individuals to participate in domestic service programs. Kathleen, an alumnus of Oak Park and River Forest High School and St. Joseph College, Indiana was participating in a year-long service project in Alaska at the time of her death in 2007.
Eligibility: Individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 with an uplifting attitude and a desire to serve others, one's community and one's nation. Applicants are required to complete a brief application and finalists will interview with the Kathleen Marian Garrigan Scholarship selection committee.
Application Deadline: June 30, 2020
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