Quarterly News & Updates

Summer, 2026

Congratulations to Our 2026 Grant Recipients!

We are thrilled to celebrate 40 outstanding organizations across the Barrington area who received grants through our 2026 cycle! From food insecurity and mental health to senior services, education, environmental programs, arts and culture, and human services including child safety and domestic violence support — this year's grantees reflect the wonderfully wide range of needs our community is working together to meet.

At our annual Grant Award Breakfast on May 6, BACF proudly awarded a total of $468,000, bringing our giving since 2000 to more than $5 million across 150+ organizations. This year's collaboration award recipient, GiveNKind, connects excess products from companies to nonprofits so resources reach the people who need them most — a wonderful example of partnership in action.

Every application was reviewed with real care by trained BACF board volunteers, who read proposals, conducted interviews, and got to know each project's impact firsthand. Our heartfelt thanks to every applicant, every volunteer reviewer, and every donor who makes this work possible.

Full List of 2026 Grantees

Introducing BACF's Newest Board Members

BACF is delighted to welcome three exceptional new members to our Board of Directors. Each brings a unique blend of professional expertise and deep-rooted love for this community, just the kind of energy that keeps BACF moving forward.

Colleen Konicek

Colleen has called Barrington home since she was four years old, and her community involvement runs deep, from local government to the Barrington Honor Ride & Run, the Land We Love Run, and organizations like Hope's In and the Barrington Area Conservation Trust. She's looking forward to helping identify local priorities and maximize BACF's long-term impact. An avid runner, Colleen says there's no more beautiful place to log the miles than right here in Barrington.

Heather Larson

A Barrington-area resident for more than 25 years (and proud parent of two BHS graduates), Heather brings a global perspective to local giving. As a philanthropy advisor who helps people give strategically, she's thrilled to bring that expertise home. "I look forward to learning from the great people on the board and serving together with them," she shared. When she's not advising on philanthropy, you'll find her traveling, trying new restaurants, or out on a long walk on a beautiful day.

Peter Schallmoser

A Barrington resident since 2016, Peter has long admired BACF's tireless outreach and tangible, localized impact. With nearly 30 years of experience as a financial advisor, he plans to lend that expertise to the foundation's portfolio and the grants committee. Outside of work, Peter is a devoted F1 racing fan and self-described car fanatic.

Please join us in giving Heather, Colleen, and Peter a warm welcome!

A Hole-in-One for the Community

On June 1, BACF held its 23rd Annual Golf Outing and Fundraising Dinner at The Club at Wynstone. This year's sellout event drew 24 golf foursomes and 161 dinner guests for our only fundraiser of the year.

Honorary Chair Kim Duchossois welcomed participants to a day balancing friendly competition with shared purpose, while Golf Chair Matt McLaughlin and Event Chair Kristin Frazier, along with a dedicated team of volunteers, brought every detail together.

Youth Advisory Council members kept the energy high selling raffle tickets, including the always-popular big-screen TV raffle. Auctioneer Bob Roig guided a lively live auction featuring vacations and experiences, and a spirited reverse auction paddle raise added to the excitement.

Grants Committee Chair Karen Trzaska shared highlights from BACF's 2026 grant cycle, and Emily Petway of GiveNKind — a BACF grantee and this year's Collaboration Award winner — spoke about the Foundation's impact on the community.

BACF is grateful to our generous sponsors, including Motorworks of Barrington, the Foglia Family Foundation, and the Tamraz Family, whose support makes this work possible.

Honarary Event Chair Kim Duchoissois and BACF Board Chair Skip Gianopolis

Event Chair Kristin Frazier, Laurel Stewart and Young Chung

BACF Youth Advisory Council Members

Happy auction winners!

See More Photos

Save the Date!

November 5, 2026 kicks off BACF’s next giving cycle, with a grants workshop at the Barrington White House.

More Grant Information

Our Mission

The Mission of the Barrington Area Community Foundation is to address the unmet needs of the community.

The Barrington Area is the greater of the Barrington Area Council of Governments (five suburbs with Barrington in the name and Tower Lakes and Deer Park) and School District #220. Population is approximately 45,000.

Our Purpose

The purpose of the Barrington Area Community Foundation is to establish a permanent, long-term fund for the betterment of the community. The Foundation will use the annual proceeds to support initiatives that benefit the community and maintain our quality of life.

Ways to Give