Educational Foundation Business Champions

The HOPE Giving Circle brings together influential women of diverse backgrounds with a common goal of supporting students in their educational goals. HOPE members combine their resources to make a greater collective impact on the lives of students pursuing higher education at Harper College, through scholarship support, mentoring and professional development opportunities.

HOPE Audience

• HOPE members and audience includes female leaders in business, education, law and other prominent fields.
• Invitations and newsletters mailed to 350+ influential women approximately 6 times each year

Career Connections with Harper Alumni is an annual event which educates Harper College students through the career and professional experiences of Harper College Alumni. Over two days student have the opportunity to sign up to listen to alumni share their experiences in panel discussions or apply to attend the Professional Leadership Dinner. The students take a pre-dinner seminar on business etiquette, professionalism, and networking and put those skills into practice over dinner with alumni professionals at Chicago Prime Italian in Schaumburg.

Audience

• All Harper College students.
• Approximately 30 alumni volunteering on panels and for the professional leadership dinner

Harper College Alumni Relations hosts 3-5 events per year to engage Harper College alumni broadly and focuses on affinity group events (such as alumni from specific academic programs of study or alumni of student organizations/clubs). Events are hosted on campus and in the community to provide alumni with the opportunity to connect with Harper College and each other.

Audience

• Harper College Alumni
• Approximately 29,000 email invitations distributed for each event

The Harper Professional Advisors are a group of dedicated volunteers who have professional expertise in the areas of estate planning, law, financial planning, income tax, accounting, insurance, and real estate. Educational sessions are hosted four times a year to the community offering insight on economic outlooks, tax reform, planning for retirement, estate planning, and more. 

Audience

• Community members, donors, alumni, faculty and staff, chambers and Rotary clubs
• Invitations mailed to 2,500 people four times a year

The Harper College Distinguished Alumni Awards Program recognizes former Harper students who have distinguished themselves in their careers and in their service to the community. The awards program launched in 2008 and since then, 87 individuals have received this prestigious award. The Distinguished Alumni Awards Reception is attended by Harper alumni, faculty and staff, current students, and business
and community leaders. 

Audience

• Alumni, Harper faculty, retirees and staff, community members, donors
• Invitations and evites distributed to over 29,000 people

Each year the Harper College Educational Foundation hosts receptions celebrating all that its vibrant donor community makes possible. Donors supporting Harper over the past year are invited to one of for one or more of our exciting Donor Appreciation Events. 

Audience

• Harper College Educational Foundation donors over $100+
• Invitations and evites distributed to over 1,000 households and businesses

Harper HEART Day is Harper College's official day of giving. It spans 36 hours on April 9 and 10, 2025. The day features on-campus and virtual activities for Harper students, employees, retirees, and alumni in addition to its robust giving campaign.

• Alumni, retirees, community and members 
• Communication distributed to over 29,000 people before and during Harper HEART Day