CLC Foundation honors donors at “Rooted in Generosity” Urban Farm Center celebration

Guests raise their glasses in a celebratory toast during Rooted in Generosity, an Oct. 9 donor celebration honoring the philanthropic supporters who helped bring the College of Lake County's new Urban Farm Center to fruition. Published October 14, 2026

The College of Lake County (CLC) Foundation celebrated the completion of the new Urban Farm Center and honored the philanthropists whose generosity helped bring the project to life during "Rooted in Generosity: A Celebration of the Philanthropic Champions Behind the Urban Farm Center" held Friday, Oct. 9, at CLC's Lakeshore Campus in downtown Waukegan.

The Urban Farm Center will support expanded opportunities for hands-on education, workforce development, entrepreneurship and greater access to fresh, locally grown food throughout Lake County.

The gathering marked the first event hosted at the completed facility, offering donors an exclusive preview of the Center ahead of its public grand opening Oct. 17. The occasion also recognized a historic philanthropic achievement: the successful completion of the CLC Foundation's inaugural $15 million capital campaign, which helped make the Urban Farm Center possible.

“The Urban Farm Center is a powerful testament to what becomes possible when visionary philanthropy meets a shared commitment to community,” said Leigh Ann M. Jacobson, CFRE, executive director and chief development officer. “Rooted in Generosity was our opportunity to celebrate the remarkable donors whose belief in this vision helped bring it to life. Their generosity has done far more than help build an extraordinary facility. It has created new pathways to education, workforce opportunity, food access and community connection. This is philanthropy at its very best—an investment in people and possibilities that will bear fruit for generations to come.”

The celebration honored lead funders, including Adeline S. Morrison, Alvin H. Baum Family Fund, The Grainger Foundation, Hunter Family Foundation, Steans Family Foundation, Gorter Family Foundation, Diana and David Moore, Harold M. and Adeline S. Morrison Family Foundation and Margot and Tom Pritzker, alongside many other individuals and organizations whose support helped bring the Center to fruition.

Eliza Fournier, director of Lancer Farms, reflected on the patience and collective care required to nurture a garden, drawing a parallel to the generosity and perseverance that helped the Urban Farm Center take root. She concluded her remarks with a celebratory toast honoring the project's supporters. “This vision was born of the community, and to see so many of the people who started us on this journey together in one space was really special,” Fournier said.

Guests explored the Center's greenhouse, vertical farm and agricultural systems through guided tours. The evening also showcased CLC students and community partners, with performances by members of the CLC Orchestra and young musicians from Sistema Ravinia in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Community invited to Oct. 17 grand opening

CLC will officially welcome the public to the Urban Farm Center on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 2 to 6 p.m. at 100 W. Madison St. in downtown Waukegan.

The free, family-friendly celebration begins with opening remarks at 2 p.m., followed by guided tours, local food vendors, art and music. Tours and information will be available in English and Spanish.

For event details, visit Urban Farm Center takes root with community grand opening Oct. 17.

Continuing the impact

With the inaugural $15 million capital campaign goal achieved, the CLC Foundation welcomes continued philanthropic partnerships to support the Urban Farm Center's developing educational programs, community initiatives and long-term impact.

To learn more about giving opportunities, contact Leigh Ann Jacobson, executive director and chief development officer of the CLC Foundation, at foundation@clcillinois.edu, or visit the CLC Urban Farm Center website.

Event photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=CollegeofLakeCountyFoundation&set=a.1766558232139766

Media contact:

Kerilyn Merritt

Marketing and Communications Specialist

College of Lake County Foundation kmerritt4@clcillinois.edu | (847) 543-2091

About the College of Lake County Foundation

The College of Lake County Foundation inspires philanthropic giving to support student scholarships, college programs and capital projects that create life-changing opportunities for Lake County residents.

Panelists sitting and posing at the event

From left: Dr. Ali O'Brien, CLC vice president of community and workforce partnerships; Greg Spitzer, design principal at Demonica Kemper Architects; Brian Healey, senior vice president of operations at Pepper Construction; and Eliza Fournier, CLC director of Lancer Farms, participate in a discussion during the Oct. 9 Rooted in Generosity Urban Farm Center donor celebration at CLC's Lakeshore Campus.

Representatives of the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund gather during the Oct. 9 Rooted in Generosity donor celebration at the College of Lake County's new Urban Farm Center

Representatives of the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund gather during the Oct. 9 Rooted in Generosity donor celebration at the College of Lake County's new Urban Farm Center. The fund is among the philanthropic supporters whose generosity helped bring the facility to life.