Des Plaines Community Foundation

05/02/2026

Got to spend some time this morning with the great people of The Jet City Coalition to help celebrate their summer campaign kickoff!! The Des Plaines Community Foundation is honored to partner with and support this incredible organization.

04/29/2026

The Des Plaines Community Foundation proudly supports the Self-Help Closet & Pantry of Des Plaines. Please join us in supporting them at their annual fundraiser. It will be an incredibly fun evening for an incredibly good cause. Details here:

MASKS & MASTERPIECES
A Masquerade Ball to Unmask Hunger, Benefiting Self-Help Closet & Pantry of Des Plaines
EVENT DETAILS -
Saturday, June 27, 2026 | 7:00-10:30 PM
Shoreline Room - Lakeview Center
1177 Howard Ave. •
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Come as you are -
from casual to costumed.
Heavy appetizers & desserts by Sunrise Grill • Cash bar
TICKET INFORMATION
Individual Ticket: $50 Reserved Table for 8: $360
Limited tickets available - reserve yours today!
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
Solstice Sun - $10,000
Twilight Glow - $2,500
Golden Hour - $5,000
Starlight - $1,000
Firefly Friend - $500

04/24/2026

04/24/2026

What a great night! We want to thank everyone who came out to support the Des Plaines Community Foundation annual fundraiser. We had a full house, raised money for a great cause & laughed together all night. Thank you for showing out Des Plaines!! You are what makes this community so amazing!

04/07/2026

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS:
DPCF Scholarship Application Deadline is April 11th, 2026 by 11:59 pm.
Scholarship recipients will be notified by May 1st, 2026.
APPLY HERE:
https://desplainescommunityfoundation.org/scholarship-info/

SADIE ROSE ARGUS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM DETAILS BELOW:

Des Plaines Community Foundation is proud to support local students through our dedicated scholarship program, helping them achieve their academic dreams. These scholarships are part of our broader commitment to Des Plaines. Investing in education aims to build a brighter future for our students.

Eligibility:
Des Plaines Community Foundation Sadie Rose Argus Scholarship Program. Five scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded, four traditional college/university education and one vocational/trade scholarship for graduating High School seniors.

College/University Scholarships:

Must be a resident of Des Plaines, IL.
Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or above.
High school seniors applying to or enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program at a college, or university, to be eligible (minimum 12 credit hours per semester; graduate programs do not qualify). Required Paperwork:
Completed College or University scholarship program application.
A statement of personal goals (100 words maximum).
An essay on how you have participated in community service and or work to support you and your family detailing how this commitment has prepared you for your future (500 words maximum).
Copy of your most recent High School transcript that includes your cumulative GPA.
Vocational/Trade Scholarship:

Must be a resident of Des Plaines, IL
No minimum GPA requirement but you must be graduating in good standing from high school.
High school seniors applying to or enrolled in a Vocational/Trade school or currently working in or as an apprentice in your chosen trade, to be eligible Required Paperwork:
Completed Vocational or Trade scholarship program application.
A statement of personal goals including why you chose and what vocation or trade you are training or apprenticing for (100 words maximum).
An essay on how you have participated in community service and or work to support you and your family detailing how this commitment has prepared you for your future (500 words maximum).
Applications and required paperwork must be received by April 11th. Applications received after April 11h will not be considered. Scholarship recipients will be notified by May 1st.

Foundation employees, board members, scholarship committee members, and their family members are not eligible. Missing the required paperwork will automatically disqualify your submission from the review process. Do not send any additional documentation beyond the required documentation listed above, it will not be considered in the review process. Applications and required paperwork can be mailed or emailed. Mail: Des Plaines Community Foundation 1420 Miner St., Room 402A Des Plaines, IL 60016 Attn: Scholarship Program Email: application, essay, goal statement, and transcript to [email protected]. Please include all documentation in one email.

12/05/2025

Are you looking to get involved this holiday season and help a family in need? Join City Clerk Dominik Bronakowski and Kids Above All for a morning of volunteering to prepare presents for the upcoming holiday season.

Every year, Kids Above All hosts a Holiday Gift Drive, partnering with the community to provide toys, books, and clothes to more than 1,600 young people who have experienced trauma and are facing poverty, violence, and injustice. Your support helps ensure they feel valued and supported this holiday season. We are also excited to share that State Senator Laura Murphy and Des Plaines Mayor Andrew Goczkowski will be participating in our event!

Join us on December 13th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Kids Above All's Better Life Distribution Center, located at 1801 E. Oakton St., Des Plaines, IL 60018, to wrap, sort, and organize gifts for distribution to children and families across our community.

Free Donuts and Coffee included! 🍩☕

RSVP: https://forms.gle/mYQcDcWoaa4rxU8cA

11/30/2025

11/30/2025

The Des Plaines Community Foundation would like to thank Jimenez International Market, which partnered with us to distribute nearly 200 gift cards to Des Plaines residents who were impacted by the removal and/or delay of food assistance benefits as we approached Thanksgiving week. When the Des Plaines Community Foundation realized the extraordinary need this year, we reached out to our local & privately owned grocery stores seeking help. When asked, Jimenez Market, relatively new to our community, stepped up right away to generously help our struggling neighbors. In addition, we received donations from Shop & Save Market and Oak Farms Market. This is what community looks like!! Neighbors, please remember to support these local stores next time you need to do your shopping. Happy Holidays to all!

11/30/2025

The Des Plaines Community Foundation with the support of Sunrise Grill & Catering, Sysco Foods, and dozens of incredible volunteers, were pleased to prepare, pack and deliver 700 Thanksgiving Day meals to the financially disadvantaged, disabled and elderly homebound residents of Des Plaines this year. Neighbors helping neighbors is more important than ever. Thank you to everyone who participated in this loving event to show our neighbors in-need, just how much they are valued and cared for in this community ❤️