The Together Highland Park Unidos Committee has published its Final Report, at www.july4fund.org detailing the open and transparent process the Committee undertook to distribute the $5.8 million raised for victims of the July 4, 2022, Highland Park mass shooting and nonprofit organizations providing mental health and other services.
The Report details the factors that informed the Committee’s work, provides information about the methodology and distribution of funds, includes reports from the Fund Administrators, RubinBrown an independent auditor, and features an Honor Roll of more than 7,000 donors.
“When this tragedy struck, our community came together in the wake of tragedy, in a spirit of compassion and hope,” said Betsy Brint, Committee Chair. “We also received tremendous support from donors near and far. We are pleased to detail the process and thank all of those who came forward to help the victims of the senseless tragedy.”
The Fund was established in July immediately following the shooting, and closed on October 7, 2022, to facilitate the distribution of funds. The committee distributed a total of $5.8 million, 100% of the funds raised. The funds were distributed according to the Committee’s Final Protocol, with $5.2 million provided to individual claimants and $580,000 to community organizations that provided mental health and other services. The grantmaking process for organizations was managed through the Highland Park Community Foundation.
A second fund, the July 4th Recovery Fund, has been opened by the Highland Park Community Foundation to accept donations that will be used to address continuing mental health needs and other services resulting from the shooting.
The Together Highland Park Unidos Committee announced today that the July 4th Highland Park Shooting Response Fund (Fund) raised a total of $5.8 million and distributed 100% of those funds to victims of the mass shooting and nonprofit organizations providing mental health and other services to the community.
The Fund was established by the Highland Park Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to accept donations that would be used to support victims and local nonprofit organizations serving the needs of victims and impacted community members. The Fund closed on October 7, 2022, to facilitate the distribution of funds.
“We are grateful and honored to distribute these gifts of compassion,” said Betsy Brint, Chair of the Together Highland Park Unidos Committee. “We thank the generous individuals, private foundations, businesses, and other organizations that have contributed to the Fund to help victims in the aftermath of the senseless shooting.
The funds were distributed according to the Committee’s Final Protocol, which was published on August 17, 2022, after a public comment period and meetings with victims. Claims were due on September 7, 2022, for individuals and on September 14, 2022, for organizations. The individual claims process was managed by the Fund’s Co-Administrators Bruce Boyd and Eric Kessler. The grantmaking process for organizations was managed through the Highland Park Community Foundation.
Eligible individual claims were grouped into three categories:
A. Death Claims and Permanent Catastrophic Physical Injury Claims
Deceased victims and those who suffered permanent catastrophic physical injuries such as severe brain damage, amputation of limbs, or severe paralysis as a result of the shooting. Eligible claimants in this category all received the same payment.
B. Physical Injury Claims for Victims Requiring Overnight Hospitalization
Eligible claimants who were physically injured and initially hospitalized within 10 days of the shooting (July 4–14, 2022) for one or more nights due to physical injuries as a result of the shooting received payment under category. Individual distributions were based on the number of overnight stays in the hospital.
C. Physical Injury Claims for Victims Treated at Hospitals, Medical Facilities, or by a Medical Professional Solely on an Out-Patient Basis
Eligible claimants physically injured as a result of the shooting, treated by a medical professional, and released without an in-patient hospital stay. Eligible claimants in this category all received the same payment.
Community Members not Physically Injured
The 4th of July Parade shooting resulted in harm to victims besides physical injury, creating a need for services beyond those customarily provided in scope or patient numbers historically. Approximately 10%, $580,025, of the Fund total was distributed to support nonprofit organizations serving these needs. Seventeen organizations were funded based on the increase in and type of client services these organizations are providing to victims and the community as a result of the shooting.
Family Focus Highland Park
Families Helping Families Chicagoland
Family Service of Glencoe
Family Service of Lake County
Fenix Family Health Center
Gratitude Generation
Highland Park Public Library
Highwood Public Library and Community Center
JCC Chicago
JCFS Chicago
Josselyn
Laurie S. Bauer Foundation for Sudden Loss
North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic
Rainbows for All Children
Southeast Lake County Faith in Action Volunteers
The Balance Project
Youth Services
“Donations were made from across the country and close to home. We are distributing 100% of the money received to victims and the organizations that serve them. In addition to financial gifts, we have been supported by so many donations of time and energy to make this possible. We look forward to publicly sharing a complete accounting of our cash and in-kind donations,” said Brint.
“The HP Community Foundation has proven itself to be a financially solvent, strategically sound, valued partner of the City and an effective administrator,” said Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering. “The comprehensive, deliberate, and methodical work of the Committee ensured that the funds were distributed in a thoughtful and compassionate way that honored the intent of the donors to help victims.”
The Committee will issue a full report with a narrative explaining the distribution and grantmaking process, and share a list of donors on the Together Highland Park Unidos website, july4fund.org. An independent audit will be conducted by RubinBrown, a public accounting firm donating their services.
Out of respect for the families and their privacy, the individual names and amounts of gifts from the Fund will not be published.
A second fund, the July 4th Recovery Fund, has been opened by the Highland Park Community Foundation to accept donations that will be used to address continuing mental health needs and other services resulting from the shooting.
The July 4th Highland Park Shooting Response Fund has closed so that final amounts can be determined for distribution to victims and nonprofit organizations serving them. The total amount of the Fund will be made public after the victims are notified and receive their award letters, expected by the end of October.
A second fund has been opened to accept donations that will be used to address continuing needs of victims and community members for mental health and other services resulting from the shooting. Donations to the second fund will be distributed to nonprofit organizations supporting their needs. The Highland Park Community Foundation will administer the Fund and distribute the donations through a grant process.
“We have been awed by the generosity of individuals, private foundations, businesses, and other organizations that have donated in support of the victims,” said Betsy Brint, chair of Together Highland Park Unidos. “We are distributing 100% of the donations to victims and the organizations that serve them. In addition to financial gifts, we have been supported by so many donations of time and energy to make this possible. We look forward to distributing these Funds to the victims at the end of the month, and hope these gifts of compassion from so many, help individuals feel supported by our community.”
The July 4th Fund remains open and will accept donations through October 7, 2022. At that time, the Fund will officially close so the final amount for distribution to victims and nonprofit organizations can be determined and payment amounts calculated. The total amount of the Fund will be made public after the Fund closes.
“We are grateful for the incredible donations that have been made to support the victims of the July 4th mass shooting. Our goal has always been to return 100% of the money raised, as quickly as possible, to victims and nonprofit organizations supporting victims and the community,” said Betsy Brint, Chair of the Highland Park Community Foundation. “We are encouraging individuals, businesses, and other organizations to make donations by October 7, 2022, if they want them to go directly to the victims.”
Once the initial fund closes, the Highland Park Community Foundation will establish a new Fund. Donations to the second Fund will be distributed to nonprofit organizations that are addressing the needs of victims and community members impacted by the shooting. The Highland Park Community Foundation will administer the Fund and distribute the donations as grants.
“We know that the impact of this shooting will continue to shape our community for years to come,” said Brint. “The new Fund will ensure that we can continue to support the agencies and organizations that are in place to meet these needs.”
The July 4th Highland Park Shooting Response Fund was established by the Highland Park Community Foundation to accept donations that would be used to support victims and local nonprofit organizations serving the needs of victims and impacted community members. The Fund is a project of the Highland Park Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Individuals are encouraged to donate by October 7, 2022. Donations can be made at this link.
Nonprofit organizations providing services to the community may be eligible for funding from the July 4th Highland Park Shooting Response Fund for services they have delivered and continue to provide for victims and impacted community members, which extendbeyond those that are part of their normal day-to-day operations.
Funding will be based on the increase in and type of client services provided to victims and the community as a result of the shooting.
Individuals who are eligible to submit a Claim Form for a distribution from the July 4 Highland Park Shooting Response Fund must do so by September 7, 2022.
A Claim Form must be filed to receive payment from the July 4 Highland Park Shooting Response Fund. Registering with other agencies (High School or State’s Attorney office) is not the same as filing a claim.
The Together Highland Park Unidos Committee has scheduled two walk-in assistance sessions for individuals who need help completing a claim form. Assistance will be available in English and Spanish.
Tuesday, August 30, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 3, 10:30 a.m.
Sessions will be held at the Highwood Public Library, 102 Highwood Avenue, Highwood, Illinois 60040.
Assistance is also available by appointment, call (773) 733-0650.
The deadline to submit forms is September 7 for individuals and September 14 for nonprofit organizations.
Claim Forms for Individuals Impacted by the July 4th Highland Park Parade Shooting
Claims Due September 7 for Individuals and September 14 for Nonprofit Organizations Help Sessions Available
HIGHLAND PARK, Ill., August 26, 2022: claim forms for individuals physically injured at the Highland Park 4th of July Parade shooting are available and must be returned by September 7, 2022.
Nonprofit organizations providing services to individuals impacted by the parade shooting can also apply for funds, and forms are due September 14, 2022.
Claim Forms may also be requested by emailing info@July4Fund.org or calling (773) 733-0650.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for compensation a claim must fall into one of four categories:
Death Claims and Permanent Catastrophic Physical Injury Claims
Physical Injury Claims for Victims Requiring Overnight Hospitalization
Physical Injury Claims for Victims Treated at Hospitals, Medical Facilities, or by a Medical Professional Solely on an Out-Patient Basis
Nonprofit Organizations Supporting Community Members not Physically Injured
Assistance Available
Help completing forms is available for individuals who need assistance. Assistance will be available Tuesday, August 30 at 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, September 3 at 10:30 a.m. at the Highwood Public Library, 102 Highwood Avenue, Highwood, IL 60040.
Submitting a Claim Form
Submit forms by September 7 for individuals and September 14 for nonprofit organizations.
August 18: Together Highland Park Unidos has released the final protocol, which will guide the distribution of the Fund, made claim forms available to victims, and named two individuals to be Administrators of the Fund.
The Final Protocol and Claim Form can be downloaded here. Copies of the Final Protocol and Claim Form are available at the Highland Park and Highwood Public Libraries, Family Service of Lake County, and North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic and can be requested by emailing info@July4Fund.org or calling (773) 733-0650. The Claim Form, available in English and Spanish, includes instructions and documentation requirements.
The Committee also announced that Bruce Boyd and Eric Kessler, principals at Arabella Advisors, one of the country’s leading philanthropy consulting firms, have been named volunteer Administrators of the Fund. Together they will execute the Final Protocol and distribution model developed by the Committee, which includes meeting with victims, reviewing all claims, and submitting payment determinations to the Committee.
Boyd, a long-time resident of Highland Park, and Kessler, a Highland Park native, have extensive experience with grant management. Arabella Advisors, where Boyd and Kessler are principals, provides strategy and operations support to America’s largest and most impactful philanthropists and foundations.
All individual Claim Forms must be submitted by September 7, 2022.
August 6: The Committee will meet with victims who were physically injured and family members of those who were tragically killed to review and obtain feedback on the Draft Protocol on August 10 and 11, 2022. Out of respect for the victims who were physically injured and their families and families of the deceased, these meetings are not open to the public or press. The public can submit comments about the Draft Protocol to info@July4Fund.org by 5 PM on August 11, 2022.
Meetings will be held:
August 10, 2022, at the Highwood Public Library (102 Highwood Ave., Highwood)
2:00 PM in English
7:00 PM in Spanish
August 11, 2022, at the Highland Park Public Library (494 Laurel Ave., Highland Park)
