The Lake County Community Crisis Relief Fund serves as a permanent countywide funding resource in times of emergencies. Originally established in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the fund provides our Lake County nonprofit providers and other community groups with quick and well-coordinated funding to alleviate unanticipated financial hardship due to community crises. Funds have supported COVID-19 relief efforts including emergency food and supplies, interim housing and shelter, transportation, health care services, utility and financial assistance, support for students, mental health support services and more. To date, we have raised and granted over $1.6 million into the community through the Crisis Relief Fund. Your generous donation ensures that our health and human service partners have the resources they need to quickly respond to urgent needs our Lake County neighbors are facing.

100% of donations will be granted to support the needs of the community including mental health counseling services, downtown revitalization, violence prevention and education and other urgent needs as they arise.

Recipients of Lake County Community Crisis Relief Fund Grants

Donations may be made:

• By Credit Card.
  To make a credit card contribution to the Crisis Relief Fund online  click here, or use one of the "Donate Today" buttons.

• By Check.
  If you wish to make a gift by check to support the fund, please make your check payable to: "The Lake County Community Foundation" and reference “The Lake County Community Crisis Relief Fund” in the memo line.

  Mail your check to
  1200 University Center Drive, Suite 333
  Grayslake, IL 60030

• By Other.
  Please contact Wendy Richter, Director of Donor Services & Operations, at [email protected] to request the Foundation’s gift instructions should you wish to make a wire transfer or gift of stock.

Contact Information

For general questions about the Lake County Community Crisis Relief Fund, please contact Maggie Morales, Executive Director, at [email protected] or 847-377-0520.

For media inquiries, please contact Emily Weber, Director of Programs & Community Investment, at [email protected] or 847-377-0520.

For donor inquiries or to donate by stock or wire transfer, please contact Wendy Richter, Director of Donor Services & Operations, at [email protected] or 847-377-0520.

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you to our funding partners

Julian Grace Foundation and Horizon Therapeutics, for their leadership in helping to launch the fund.