Lake Forest Preservation Foundation

What Lake Forest Preservation Foundation does

The Lake Forest Preservation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1976 in Lake Forest, Illinois, dedicated to preserving the city's distinctive architectural and landscape character. It operates as the primary civic voice for historic preservation in the community, with formal authority granted under Lake Forest's 1998 preservation ordinance to propose local historic districts and submit formal statements to the Historic Preservation Commission on development matters. The Foundation serves Lake Forest residents, owners of historic properties over 50 years old, local corporate sponsors, and municipal and institutional partners including Metra, the Lake Forest Library, Gorton Center, Ragdale Foundation, the History Center of Lake Forest–Lake Bluff, and Elawa Farm.

The Foundation's programmatic portfolio centers on five core areas: the annual Historic Preservation Awards program (which has recognized more than 250 properties across five categories over 30-plus years), educational lectures and workshops featuring architectural historians and preservation experts, a triannual "Preservation" newsletter distributed to all community households, annual garden walks and house tours, and formal advocacy before city planning bodies. It has been instrumental in establishing five local historic districts and 16 individual local landmarks since 1978, and has led major public-private restoration campaigns for the Walden-Bluff's Edge Bridge, the Lake Forest Train Station, and various landmark properties. Underlying execution relies on a volunteer Board of Directors, one paid Executive Director (Jennifer M. McGregor), and a 50-plus-year documentation archive that has been digitized back to 1977.

Revenue is generated through a diversified but locally concentrated mix: recurring annual membership dues (with a 50th Anniversary promotional rate of $50 in 2026), tax-deductible charitable donations accepted via cash, check, stock, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, and Donor-Advised Funds, branded merchandise sales through the pickup-only LFPF Store (heritage caps at $35, silk scarves at $150, prints at $100, guidebooks at $10–$25, etc.), event revenue from house and garden walks and galas, and façade or preservation easement grants. Distribution is entirely direct (no resellers or third-party channels) via the website (lfpf.org), email newsletter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, in-person events, and in-office pickup. The organization has cumulatively raised more than $4 million over its 50-year history and its $50,000 Train Station seed grant unlocked more than $3 million in federal restoration funding.

Name

Lake Forest Preservation Foundation

Legal name

Lake Forest Preservation Foundation

Website

https://lfpf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lake Forest Preservation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects the architectural and landscape character of Lake Forest, Illinois through education, advocacy, recognition, and public-private restoration partnerships, serving residents, historic property owners, and local corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historic Preservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Historical Sites (712120)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• Historic preservation advocacy
• Community education programs
• Preservation awards recognition
• Membership fundraising nonprofit
• Architectural heritage stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Lake Forest

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership contributions that support preservation projects, educational programming, advocacy, and restoration efforts. Members receive newsletter subscriptions, event invitations, tours, and access to special programs.
2. Donations and Annual Fund: Tax-deductible charitable donations made via check, stock, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), and Donor-Advised Funds. Donations are directed to preservation projects throughout the community.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including heritage caps ($35), coloring books ($15), silk pocket squares ($85), silk scarves ($150), watercolor prints ($100), architectural prints ($100), and guidebooks ($10–$25) through the LFPF Store.
4. Event Revenue: Revenue from fundraising events including garden walks, house tours, gala cocktail parties, and the annual Preservation Symposium. Events serve as both fundraising and community engagement vehicles.
5. Façade or Preservation Easement Grants: Property owners may grant façade or preservation easements to the Foundation, providing a charitable giving mechanism while protecting historic property character in perpetuity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Lake Forest Preservation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects the architectural and landscape legacy of Lake Forest, Illinois through preservation advocacy, public education, and recognition programs. Its core offerings include the annual Historic Preservation Awards, educational lectures and workshops, a triannual "Preservation" newsletter, garden walks and house tours, property nomination services, and formal advocacy before the City of Lake Forest's Historic Preservation Commission. The Foundation also operates a pickup-only LFPF Store selling heritage-themed merchandise, and funds its mission through memberships, donations, and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

The Lake Forest Preservation Foundation operates as a nonprofit preservation organization offering a portfolio of programs including the Historic Preservation Awards, educational lectures, the triannual 'Preservation' newsletter, annual garden walks and house tours, property nomination services, and advocacy/engagement with city planning processes. The organization also operates the LFPF Store selling merchandise such as heritage caps, coloring books, silk scarves, and prints. Membership and annual fund programs support all preservation initiatives. The Foundation's work spans education, advocacy, recognition, research, and stewardship of Lake Forest's architectural and landscape heritage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preservation Awards Program
• Educational Programs & Lectures Free educational events for members and the public covering Lake Forest's historic resources, architecture, and preservation standards, featuring expert speakers.
• Preservation Newsletter Triannual printed and digital newsletter providing updates on preservation initiatives, advocacy efforts, and community preservation projects, included with membership.
• Garden Walks & House Tours Ticketed annual events that open historic Lake Forest homes and gardens to members and the public to support preservation fundraising and community engagement.
• Annual Membership Recurring annual membership that funds preservation work and grants access to the Preservation newsletter, educational programs, workshops, lectures, historic home and garden tours, and special member events.
• Property Nomination Program Open nomination process that allows owners, neighbors, and community members to submit Lake Forest properties more than fifty years old for Preservation Awards consideration.
• LFPF Heritage Cap Branded LFPF heritage cap sold for $35 through the LFPF Store, pickup only.
• Celebrating Lake Forest Coloring Book Lake Forest-themed coloring book sold for $15 through the LFPF Store, pickup only.
• Market Square Silk Pocket Square Market Square-themed silk pocket square sold for $85 through the LFPF Store, pickup only.
• Market Square Silk Scarf Market Square-themed silk scarf sold for $150 through the LFPF Store, pickup only.
• Market Square Watercolor Print Market Square-themed watercolor print sold for $100 through the LFPF Store, pickup only.
• Architectural Vernacular of Lake Forest Print Architectural print depicting Lake Forest's vernacular, sold for $100 through the LFPF Store, pickup only.
• Preservation Foundation Guide to National Register Properties (2nd Edition) Second-edition guidebook to Lake Forest's National Register properties, sold for $10 through the LFPF Store, pickup only.
• Architectural Lake Forest: A Guide to National Register Historic Districts Guidebook to Lake Forest's National Register historic districts, sold for $25 through the LFPF Store, pickup only.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $4 million raised in support of preservation efforts over 50 years
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Ragdale FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026LFPF and Ragdale Foundation are jointly celebrating their 50th anniversaries in 2026. They co-sponsor the Preservation Symposium (October 16–18, 2026), co-sponsored the 2012 garden walk, and have a long history of joint programming. Both organizations originated from the national Bicentennial era preservation movement.
• City of Lake Forest (Historic Preservation Commission)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026LFPF regularly submits formal statements to the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) regarding development projects impacting Lake Forest's historic visual character. The Foundation was granted authority under the 1998 City preservation ordinance to propose local historic districts.
• Lasker Estate / Mill Road Farm Property OwnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025LFPF submitted a nomination for local historic district status for the Lasker Estate/Mill Road Farm in southwest Lake Forest. The proposal has been overwhelmingly supported by owners of the David Adler-designed structures converted into single-family homes. If created, it will be the largest local historic district west of Route 41 and the first in a quarter century.
• History Center of Lake Forest-Lake BluffmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Joint programming partner on educational events including the 50th Anniversary exhibit at the History Center (August 20–mid-September 2025), centennial church exhibitions, and co-presented programs such as the Frances Adler Elkins interiors program.
• Lake Forest LibrarymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025LFPF provides steadfast dedication to supporting the Lake Forest Library's enhanced preservation efforts, including the 1931 Rooms project and dome restoration. LFPF Board members attended Vinci Hamp Architects' presentation on the Library's preliminary progress.
• Lake Forest College (Glen Rowan House)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025LFPF attended the Glen Rowan House reopening celebration on September 30, 2025. Board member Art Miller delivered remarks on the Howard Van Doren Shaw treasure. The Foundation has supported Lake Forest College's reflecting pool restoration project.
• Craig Bergmann Landscape DesignminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Corporate sponsor of the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation. Craig Bergmann, owner, is a prominent local landscape designer featured in LFPF programs including a book launch event for The Art of Fine Gardening at Gorton Center. Bergmann has designed landscapes for award-winning preservation properties.
• Smith's Men's StoreminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Corporate sponsor of the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation.
• Blue Pine ServicesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Corporate sponsor of the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation.
• Valentina / Penny's From HeavenminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Corporate sponsor of the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation.
• Price InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Corporate sponsor of the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation.
• Soucie HornerminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Corporate sponsor of the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation.
• The Studio @ Westmoreland FarmminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Corporate sponsor of the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation.
• Edward Deegan ArchitectsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Corporate sponsor of the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation. Edward Deegan served as rehabilitation architect for 620 Lake Road (Bluff's Edge) in the 2025 Preservation Awards.
• Jenny Brown DesignsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Corporate sponsor of the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation.
• Alesia ChaikaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Corporate sponsor of the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation.
• Ablaze Design GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Corporate sponsor of the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation.
• Lynch ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Corporate sponsor of the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation. Lynch Construction served as rehabilitation builder for 980 N. Green Bay Road and builder for 1000 Grandview Lane in the 2025 Preservation Awards.
• City of Lake Forest and MetracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Public-private partnership for the restoration of the historic 1900 Lake Forest Train Station (designed by Frost & Granger). LFPF awarded a $50,000 grant for a Historic Structures Report, which became the foundation for securing over $3 million in federal grants for the station's restoration. The project involved the City of Lake Forest, Metra, and Harboe Architects.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/LFPreservation
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Lake-Forest-Preservation-Foundation/559955957390619
• Instagraminstagram.com/lakeforestpreservationfdn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lake-forest-preservation-fndtn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lake Forest Preservation Foundation