Brought to you by Our Generous Community | | Each year, we ask our community to support the LFHS Foundation through donations, sponsorships for the Annual Spring Luncheon, and Pitch Night partnerships. Every gift is valued and vital to our success, allowing us to continue investing in educational excellence. Foundation grants support, enrich, and enhance the Lake Forest High School experience for all students, faculty, and staff. Over the years, the Foundation has awarded over 360 grants, valued at over $3 million, impacting teaching and learning across the curriculum. This year's grants will have a lasting impact at LFHS. THANK YOU! Visit our website to learn more. | | Excitement was in the air on Grant Day! | | The Lake Forest High School Foundation celebrated its 24th annual Grant Day on Friday, March 13th. Foundation Trustees traveled the halls of LFHS with big news for grant recipients - their grants had been funded. In addition to the eight new grants awarded on Friday, the Foundation funded one standing grant for funding the Business Incubator's Minimum Viable Product process. Congratulations to all of this year's grant recipients! | | Gratitude & Appreciation for our Grants Committee | | |
The Lake Forest High School Foundation is grateful to our Grants Committee. The 2026 Grants Committee was led by Vice Chair of Grants, Kavita Swaminathan, and included Kirstin Carruthers, Michele Hill, Monika Toczycki, Nicole Phelan, Sandi King, Kate Jackson, Laura Cushing, and Jennifer Fitzgerald. This group of dedicated volunteers carefully vetted and considered all grant applications. They read the applications, researched the requests, heard presentations from applicants requesting more than $10,000, and worked with the administration to ensure that the implementation of the grants would be supported within the school. After thoughtful deliberation guided by detailed criteria, they presented the grants they agreed should be funded to the Board of Trustees for approval.
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Live Production Kit Refresh & Upgrade This grant strengthens LFHS’s growing video production ecosystem by adding a portable, modern kit that supports classroom learning, New Media coursework, and major school events. The new compact cameras, wireless transmission tools, and mobile production setup “make production more realistic, more accessible to students,” enabling them to film, edit, and run live broadcasts with greater independence. These upgrades reduce setup time, improve reliability, and allow students to practice industry‑aligned workflows. The kit expands creative possibilities, enhances storytelling, and ensures high‑quality coverage of assemblies, performances, and student‑run media throughout the year. Furthermore, they increase opportunities for learning because of their ease of use and open accessibility. As teachers turn to more varied demonstrative assignments, the LFHS Foundation is pleased to support EdTech in its ability to meet these demands.
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Yom HaShoah Speaker
This grant supports a Yom HaShoah speaker event at LFHS featuring LFHS history teacher and author, Michael Soffer. A Yom HaShoah speaker is an individual invited to share reflections, scholarship, and/or personal narratives in commemoration of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), helping students understand the history and enduring lessons of the Holocaust. Based on an interest survey, teachers indicated that history, law, and journalism classes would like to bring students to this program. Throughout the day, Mr. Soffer will deliver several presentations to reach a wide range of students. The visit will include small breakout sessions in which students take part in school board simulations, assuming the roles of members of the 1983 Oak Park and River Forest School Board. Working collaboratively, student groups will analyze historical materials, consider multiple identities and perspectives, think critically, and engage in respectful discussion as they work toward a consensus regarding the employment of Reinhold Kulle.
This experience is designed to foster inclusive dialogue and ensure that students feel valued, respected, and heard. It also aligns with several key competencies outlined in the District 67 and 115 Portrait of a Learner, including critical thinking, empathy, communication, adaptability, and citizenship.
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Transition Program Fitness Equipment
The Transition Program requested a treadmill and an elliptical to help students develop lifelong wellness habits and support sensory regulation needs. These tools allow students to practice daily exercise routines that build independence, responsibility, and self‑advocacy—key components of preparing for adulthood. Staff notes that “regular physical activity… can help improve executive functioning skills, engagement, and productivity,” making the equipment a meaningful addition to students’ individualized learning plans. The machines will be used year‑round to support physical health, emotional regulation, and the development of consistent routines that students can carry into their post‑school lives. On Grant Day, the trustees visited the Transitions program, and the students were thrilled to learn that their grant had been awarded.
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Embroidery Machine
This project brings a professional‑grade, multi‑needle embroidery machine to LFHS, opening new creative pathways for Fashion Design and Theater students. The machine enables precise, high‑quality embroidery for patches, monograms, costume elements, and custom textiles—capabilities currently impossible with existing tools. Students gain exposure to industry‑standard technology while reducing reliance on outsourced merchandise for theater productions. As the proposal explains, “Embroidery would take the craftsmanship piece out of the equation,” allowing students to focus on design rather than technical limitations. Art students will be able to use iPads, previously granted by the Foundation, to make their designs come alive through this new medium. The machine will serve hundreds of students annually and expand opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across art and performance programs.
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Wellness Cardio Equipment
LFHS will supplement their current treadmills and ellipticals with the addition of durable, commercial‑grade Precor machines to support PE classes, athletics, and schoolwide wellness. Specifically, the Foundation will purchase 4 Precor treadmills, 3 Precor ellipticals, and a Helix Touch Lateral Trainer. Current equipment frequently breaks, creating safety concerns and disrupting instruction. The new machines provide reliable, inclusive cardio options that expand current offerings and help students manage stress, improve endurance, and build lifelong fitness habits. The proposal highlights that modern equipment “ensures all students… have access to a safe and inclusive workout environment.” With over 1,600 students, faculty, and staff using the weight room, this upgrade significantly enhances daily wellness opportunities and aligns with the school’s commitment to whole‑student health.
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3 Grants in 1: Little Theater Camera Refresh, RMA Camera & Audio Upgrade, and RMA Booth Equipment
This project transforms the Raymond Moore Auditorium into a fully equipped, professional‑quality recording and livestreaming venue. Permanent cameras and audio systems replace temporary setups that currently limit quality and student involvement. The upgrade supports concerts, theater productions, assemblies, guest speakers, and community events, while giving students hands‑on experience with authentic production workflows. By establishing an in‑house system, the project “eliminates the need to outsource video production,” reducing long‑term costs and increasing reliability. In addition to the overhaul in the RMA, the Little Theater will also receive camera and microphone updates.
Note: This grant is also supported with additional funding from Applause.
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Standing Grant: MVP Funding
Business Department 2026 Grant
Since 2015, the Foundation has been funding this grant annually. It provides money that is used to reimburse teams in the Business Incubator program for Minimum Viable Product (MVP) phase expenses. Each February, the teams in the Business Incubator program present their MVP Pitches to our volunteer judges. Each team explains the business they are hoping to develop, requests funding for planned MVP activities, and the judges provide feedback on their pitches and the viability of their business propositions.
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GRATITUDE FOR OUR GENEROUS COMMUNITY
None of this is possible without your support!
| | Join Us for our Annual Spring Luncheon | | We hope you'll join us at Knollwood Club on Friday, May 1st, for this year's Annual Spring Luncheon. Event tickets are on sale now. Click on the graphics below to navigate to our event website. Invitations should be arriving in mailboxes soon. Please contact Gisela Balassa Orestano to donate items to the auction. Funds raised will go toward future grants at LFHS. | | | | |
