2022 Judy Beck Grant Open for Submissions In Glenview

GLENVIEW, IL — During her lifetime, Judy Beck was dedicated to public service, advocated for the environment and championed young people. To help preserve her legacy, applications are now being accepted for the Judy Beck Grant.

"Judy was very involved in environmental issues, good citizenship and supporting worthy causes," Beck's husband, Tom, told Patch via email." She strongly believed in the grassroots approach. Hence, the grants are intended to promote environmental leadership, community engagement and youth development."

Judy Beck, who served as a Glenview Park District board commissioner for 32 years, died in 2019. In addition to her commitment to the parks, she worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Lake Michigan, the Village of Glenview’s Natural Resource Commission, Comprehensive Plan Committee, Environmental Review Committee and The League of Women Voters.

RELATED: Glenview Environmentalist Judy Beck Dies At 77

The Judy Beck Grant is available to non-profit groups or individuals with projects focusing on environmental conservation, sustainability, community engagement or youth development, according to a news release from the Glenview Park District. Grant funding will be awarded for a single project or multiple smaller projects. The Beck and Hurvis Families have generously provided the 2023 grant of $13,000.

Thus far, the Judy Beck Grant program has funded six projects in 2022, totaling $12,250, donated by the Beck, Hurvis, and Straus Families, and six projects in 2021,totaling $9,922 donated by the Beck Family Foundation and Hurvis Family.

"The successful grant applications are local in scope and with limited access to funding," Tom Beck said. "The applications should demonstrate well-conceived plans; innovative ideas; passion for the project’s success; community impact; involvement with youth; and development of future environmental leaders."

All submissions are due by 5 p.m. Dec. 1, and winners will be announced on Jan. 20. The application packet can be found at glenviewparks.org.

In 2020, The Beck Family Foundation and Hurvis Family launched the Judy Beck Grant program to support generations of new conservation leaders to continue the great work and legacy of building and strengthening the local community, according to the news release.

Judy Beck was also a village natural resources commissioner and member of the Glenview/Glencoe League of Women Voters. She worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for 30 years, served as the Illinois Association of Park Districts Board President in 1994 and was named IAPD Commissioner of the Year in 1996.

Projects that received grant funding in 2021 included:

• Tree-Plenish in the Glenview Community by The Planet Green Environmental Club at Glenbrook South High School;
• Prairie Fest at Kent Fuller Air Station Prairie;
• Prairie Grass Restoration and Monarch Butterfly Waystation Garden at Willowbrook and Westcott Schools;
• Community Sewing Bee, Dig It! The Secrets of Soil, and Restoration Kids Program at The Grove.