Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,321,150 (2023)
• Total Assets: $60.7 million
• Grant Range: $20,000 - $100,000 (General Program grants)
• Number of Awards: 43 (2023)
• Application Cycles: Two per year (May and November)
• Geographic Focus: Northern Lake County, Illinois
• Founded: 2006

Contact Details

Address: 1200 University Center Drive, #333, Grayslake, IL 60030

Phone: (847) 377-0525

Website: www.hfnlc.org

Key Contacts:

• Dr. Venoncia M. Baté-Ambrus, Executive Director
  Phone: (847) 377-0525, Ext. 25
  Email: [email protected]

• Angela Baran, Senior Program Officer
  Phone: (847) 377-0525, Ext. 26
  Email: [email protected]

Social Media: Facebook: @HFNLC

Overview

The Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County (HFNLC) was established in 2006 following the sale of Saint Therese Medical Center and Victory Memorial Hospital to Community Health Systems. With assets of $60.7 million, the foundation has steadily increased its annual grantmaking from $2.9 million in FY 2007-10 to $8.6 million in FY 2022-25, totaling $38.9 million invested to date. HFNLC's mission is to make a healthier Lake County where everyone—regardless of income or circumstance—has equitable access to care and services that enhance quality of life. Approximately 80% of their funds directly support uninsured and underinsured populations. The foundation takes a comprehensive approach to health equity, guided by the philosophy: "Those who have health, have hope; Those who have hope, have everything."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Pillar 1: General Program and Operating Grants ($20,000 - $100,000)

• Supports direct services addressing health and social determinants
• Includes clinical services, health education, care coordination, and workforce development
• Two-year grants available for strong programs

Pillar 2: Impact Grants (amount varies)

• Funds initiatives promoting prevention and system improvement
• Focuses on cross-sector collaborations and addressing root causes
• Typically begins with learning or planning phase
• Often invitation-only or RFP-based

Pillar 3: Leadership Development and Capacity Building (amount varies)

• Invests in organizational and leadership growth
• Supports training, strategic planning, infrastructure improvements
• Generally annual grants with limited frequency per organization

Scholarship Programs (institutional awards)

• Awards made to post-secondary educational institutions, not individuals
• Requires recipients to be northern Lake County residents with financial need
• Must include commitment to practice in underserved Lake County areas for two years post-graduation
• Focuses on high-demand healthcare fields

Priority Areas

Key Investment Categories (cumulative totals since 2007):

• Mental Health: $10.8 million (largest clinical investment)
• Linkage to Care: $9.9 million
• Case Management: $9.6 million
• Medical Services: $5.2 million
• Capacity Building: $4.9 million
• Dental Care: $2.2 million
• Scholarships: $2.9 million

Current Focus Areas:

• Behavioral and mental health services
• Healthcare access for immigrants and uninsured populations
• Community health worker programs
• Youth counseling and wellness programs
• Doula support services
• Crisis intervention and support

Priority Communities (northern Lake County):

• Antioch
• Fox Lake
• Grayslake—Third Lake
• Great Lakes
• Gurnee
• Lake Villa—Lindenhurst
• North Chicago
• Round Lake
• Wadsworth
• Waukegan
• Zion

What They Prioritize:

• Programs advancing health equity
• Initiatives incorporating community voice
• Cross-sector collaborations
• Demonstrated measurable outcomes
• Service to uninsured and underinsured populations

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside Lake County (rare exceptions)
• General operating support (initiatives prioritized over general operations)
• Organizations that cannot demonstrate service quality and equity
• Programs not aligned with healthcare access mission

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors (2026)

Frances Baxley, M.D. (Chair) - Family Physician at Northshore University Health System; Harvard Medical School graduate; joined 2016; fluent in Spanish and German

Myleene Sunga Bosch, MSN RN - Area Vice President at JourneyCare; 30+ years healthcare experience; joined June 2024

Megan Brady, Esq. - Managing Attorney at Prairie State Legal Services; joined 2024

Adam Carson - Business Owner of Drip & Culture; social entrepreneur; Bachelor's in Hospital Administration; fluent in Spanish

Melissa Chen, MD - Internal Medicine Physician and Clinical Director of Interprofessional Community Clinic at Rosalind Franklin University; joined September 2021

Michael Duffy (Secretary) - Attorney, retired from Mindcrest, Inc.; joined September 2018

Igael Hamburg - Director of Sales and Marketing at Solstice Senior Living; joined September 2021

Sam Johnson, MBA, LCPC, RDDP - Director of Behavioral Health at Lake County Health Department; joined 2022

Gary Potter, CPA - Director of Finance at Heart of the City; 40+ years non-profit finance experience

John Reakes, CFP® - Financial Advisor at Old National Bank Investments; joined 2024

Casandra D. Slade (Treasurer) - Senior VP at Wintrust Financial; joined 2017

Carol Sonnenschein, Ph.D. - Sociologist and Geographic Information System Analyst; joined 2016

Staff

Dr. Venoncia M. Baté-Ambrus - Executive Director; PhD in Community Psychology from National Louis University. Dr. Baté-Ambrus emphasizes health equity, stating: "Housing is health. If you do not have adequate housing, it's very difficult to maintain your health and well-being." She advises organizations to "Be proactive, find a mentor, and take advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow. The work you do today will pave the way for a healthier, more equitable future."

Angela Baran, M.S. - Senior Program Officer; Master's from DePaul University School of Public Service; experience with Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Two-Stage Process:

1. Letter of Inquiry (LOI) - Submit through online grant application system (hard copies not accepted)
2. Full Proposal - By invitation only following LOI review

Application Windows:

For May Awards:

• LOI Deadline: November 14 - December 15, 5:00 p.m.
• Proposal Deadline (if invited): January 30, 5:00 p.m.
• Board Meeting: May

For November Awards:

• LOI Deadline: May 15 - June 15, 5:00 p.m.
• Proposal Deadline (if invited): August 3, 5:00 p.m.
• Board Meeting: November

Application Requirements:

• Must be 501(c)(3) organization or public agency
• Serve northern Lake County residents
• Align with HFNLC mission
• Demonstrate service quality and equity

Application Must Address:

• Need: Substantiate with current, relevant data and research
• Access: Demonstrate how program directly improves access to quality healthcare
• Sustainability: Explain plans to sustain the program
• Measurable Outcomes: For system-level initiatives, include benchmarks and evaluation plans

Renewal/Multi-Year Funding:

• Organizations can receive funding for up to 5 consecutive years
• Must take one-year break after 5 years
• Exceptions may be granted at foundation's discretion

Decision Timeline

• Board meetings occur in May and November
• Specific notification timelines not publicly disclosed
• Contact Angela Baran for process questions

Success Rates

43 awards made in 2023, 38 in 2022, and 37 in 2021. Specific application-to-award ratios not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may apply for up to 5 consecutive years before taking a mandatory one-year break. Information about reapplication after unsuccessful submissions is not publicly specified; contact the foundation for guidance.

Application Success Factors

The foundation emphasizes that "an organization that has thought deeply about these guidelines and addressed them will be more likely to succeed in improving access to healthcare in northern Lake County."

Key Success Factors Based on Foundation Guidance:

1. Demonstrate Clear Need with Data: Use current, relevant data and research to substantiate program need. The foundation values evidence-based approaches.

2. Direct Connection to Healthcare Access: Programs must lead directly to improved access to quality healthcare for underserved populations. The foundation is explicit that this is non-negotiable.

3. Sustainability Planning: Articulate clear plans for program continuation beyond grant funding. This demonstrates long-term thinking.

4. Stakeholder Engagement: For system-level initiatives, demonstrate engagement of key stakeholders necessary to address capacity needs.

5. Measurable Outcomes: Define clear goals, benchmarks, and anticipated outcomes. Include evaluation plans that inform the project as it progresses.

6. Health Equity Focus: Explicitly address how the program advances health equity. The foundation's leadership emphasizes this as central to their mission.

7. Community Voice: Incorporate perspectives and input from the communities served. The foundation values community-engaged approaches.

8. Resource Leverage: Show how the program leverages available resources including technology, knowledge, expertise, and funding from other sources.

9. Cross-Sector Collaboration: When relevant, demonstrate partnerships across sectors that strengthen impact.

10. Geographic Alignment: Prioritize service to residents of the foundation's priority communities in northern Lake County (Antioch, Fox Lake, Grayslake, Gurnee, North Chicago, Round Lake, Waukegan, Zion, etc.).

Recent Funding Examples:

• PADS Lake County: Two two-year grants of $150,000 each for Mental Health for Housing Stability and Homeless Healthcare Access
• Mano a Mano Family Resource Center: $170,000 (two years) for Healthy Families Program with Community Health Workers
• Antioch Area Healthcare Accessibility Alliance: $120,000 (two years) for Enhanced Healthcare Access
• YouthBuild Lake County: $100,000 (two years) for Wellness Program
• Mobile Care Chicago: $75,000 for Lake County Asthma Van
• Lake County Crisis Center: $85,000 for behavioral healthcare for survivors

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Focus on the uninsured/underinsured: 80% of foundation funds support these populations—clearly demonstrate how your program serves them
• Submit strong LOIs: The two-stage process means your Letter of Inquiry must be compelling enough to earn a full proposal invitation
• Think multi-year if appropriate: Organizations can receive up to 5 consecutive years of funding, so consider proposing sustainable programs that build over time
• Emphasize health equity: This is central to the foundation's mission and leadership's stated priorities—use this language and demonstrate equity commitment
• Use data strategically: The foundation requires "current and relevant data"—ensure your needs assessment is recent and specific to northern Lake County
• Highlight collaboration: Cross-sector partnerships and stakeholder engagement are valued, particularly for Impact Grants
• Contact staff before applying: Angela Baran (Senior Program Officer) is available for questions—use this resource to ensure alignment before submitting
• Plan for sustainability early: Don't wait until the end of your proposal to address sustainability—it's one of three core requirements the foundation evaluates

References

• Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County official website: https://www.hfnlc.org/ (accessed January 2026)
• HFNLC Grant Guidelines: https://www.hfnlc.org/grants/guidelines/ (accessed January 2026)
• HFNLC Application Information: https://www.hfnlc.org/grants/apply/ (accessed January 2026)
• HFNLC Geographic Focus: https://www.hfnlc.org/our-work/where-we-work/ (accessed January 2026)
• HFNLC Investing in Health: https://www.hfnlc.org/about-us/investing-in-health/ (accessed January 2026)
• HFNLC Board and Staff: https://www.hfnlc.org/about-us/our-people/ (accessed January 2026)
• HFNLC Contact Information: https://www.hfnlc.org/contact-us/ (accessed January 2026)
• HFNLC Scholarship Programs: https://www.hfnlc.org/our-work/what-we-fund/scholarships/ (accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/205253008 (accessed January 2026)
• UCenter Alumna Spotlight - Dr. Venoncia Baté-Ambrus: https://www.ucenter.org/post/alumna-spotlight-dr-venoncia-bat%C3%A9-ambrus-on-championing-lifelong-learning-the-importance-of-a-gr (accessed January 2026)