The OPALGA+ Scholarship Fund provides financial support for the continuing education of LGBTQ+ students and allies from Cook County who have demonstrated service and advocacy to the LGBTQ+ community and/or the larger community. OPALGA+ recognizes that young people in the LGBTQ+ community face unique challenges in high school, college, and trade school programs.

OPALGA+ raises funds by soliciting its membership throughout the year, having a fundraising Scholarship gala each October, and obtaining corporate sponsorships from local businesses. More than 200 people attended the 2023 gala at the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association in Oak Park. The emcee for the event was Tim Joyce, the WGN TV meteorologist who is openly gay and an Oak Park-River Forest High School alum. Funds were raised from raffle ticket sales and a live auction led by current OPALGA+ Co-Chair John Becvar as well as online donations.

You can join OPALGA+ in recognizing the 2024 scholars at the OPALGA+ Scholarship Gala on October 19, 2024 at the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, Oak Park. This year’s gala theme is “Equality for Everyone.” Tickets went on sale in August and proceeds benefit the 2025-26 scholarship program. To donate to the Scholarship Fund, visit opalga.org/donate.

OPALGA+ is committed to providing support for the next generation of activists and leaders who are self-identified members and/or allies of the LGBTQ+ community. Since 2014, OPALGA+ has awarded over $220,000 in scholarships including $27,000 in 2022, $40,000 in 2023 and now $50,000 (the highest amount ever awarded in a single year) in 2024.

OPALGA+ is a 501.c.3 organization formed in 1989 and has no paid staff. All funds raised for scholarships are sent directly to the schools the students plan to attend. The all volunteer Scholarship and Gala Committees spend countless hours promoting the scholarship program, reviewing applications, soliciting sponsors and planning the fundraising gala. For more information about the organization, visit www.opalga.org.

Applications for the 2025-26 school-year scholarships open in October 2024 and are due in February 2025. Eligibility is limited to current high school seniors who reside in our targeted geographic area as well as prior year scholarship recipients. Requirements include completing an application, writing an essay, and obtaining letters of recommendation prior to the application deadline.

OPALGA+ 2024 Scholarship Gala

Helping LGBTQ+ Students in Cook County Illinois

Team Members