The Zachary Porter Foundation
in loving memory
"Well I'm getting to the end of this page. There's something I've always disliked about endings. Everyone always makes a big fuss about them but nothing really ever ends, we just can't see it anymore. But I digress. I love you, and don't you ever forget it. 'Love is when the other person's happiness is more important than your own.'"
- Zach Porter, in a letter, 2019
Who We Are
The Zachary Porter Foundation celebrates the life of a wonderful young man who left a tremendous impact on the community he cherished and attempts to create some small ripples of good out of an unfathomable loss. Zach was acutely aware of how fortunate he was to grow up here in Lake Bluff, valuing the benefit of attending excellent educational institutions and always grateful for the opportunity to pursue any of his many interests. Zach excelled on the baseball diamond as a player and later as a coach. He thrived on the lake, learning from and later managing the park district sailing camp on Lake Michigan each summer. As a young adult he taught himself to play guitar and was beginning to learn piano. Zach wanted other kids to experience those same opportunities. We help subsidize enrichment activities, including music lessons, camps, sports, and school trips for kids who would not otherwise have the access to those opportunities. In the longer term, we aim to establish an outdoor space where animals of all kinds can take refuge and children can come to learn about the natural world that Zach so deeply valued.
Our Focus
Education
Fostering the next generation of environmental stewards and adventurers
Donation
Sponsoring children to attend camps, sports, and other enrichment programs
Preservation
Helping humans live in harmony with the natural world and promote healthy ecosystems
In the News
Chicago Suntimes
A miracle game follows the tragic death of former Lake Forest pitcher Zach Porter
The beloved Scouts pitcher lost his life in an accident during a hike in Alaska.
Donate
To donate, send a check payable to The Zachary Porter Foundation to:
The Zachary Porter Foundation
456 Sunrise Ave
Lake Bluff, IL 60044
Or Venmo @ZPF-3
Art
This print by Zach's dear friend Ben Coulter is available for purchase, with proceeds benefitting the Foundation.
This image was created by Anna Seyfert, combining several different pictures of Zach.
If you are interested in purchasing a canvas print, email us at zacharyporterfoundation@gmail.com.
Proceeds will benefit the Foundation.