DeKalb County Community Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The DeKalb County Community Foundation supports arts and culture, community development, education, environment, animal welfare, health, human services and nonprofit capacity building in Illinois.
FUNDING AREAS: Arts and culture, community development, education, environment, animal welfare, health, human services, nonprofit capacity building
IP TAKE: Across the various grant programs at DCCF, there are opportunities to get involved with this community funder all throughout the year. This is a very accessible local grantmaker.
PROFILE: Established in 1993, the DeKalb County Community Foundation (DCCF) is a community foundation based in Sycamore, Illinois. DCCF cares about enhancing the quality of life in the local community and connecting people with causes they care about. The foundation aims to "enhance the quality of life in DeKalb County, Illinois by proactively addressing community needs and expanding, managing, and distributing philanthropic resources.” It funds local efforts for arts and culture, community development, education, environment, animal welfare, health, human services and nonprofit capacity building.
The DeKalb County Community Foundation awards grants by investing in high-quality programs and to provide equal opportunities for residents. Community needs grants support various nonprofit needs and have two application deadlines per year. Emergency grants are for time-sensitive projects and urgent needs throughout the year. Essential skills enhancement grants assist middle school and high school students. DCCF’s Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund supports music education, music appreciation and music performance. Kindergarten readiness grants support programs in both public and private schools, and Promise Fund assist underserved and marginalized populations. DCCF also administers watershed implementation grants for efforts serving the local section of the Kishwaukee River and Youth Engaged in Philanthropy grants for youth empowerment and leadership. In addition to grants, DCCF also awards scholarships to local students.
Grants range between about $5,000 and $200,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on DeKalb County in Illinois. Past local grantees include the Midwest Museum of Natural History, Oaken Acres Wildlife Center and Opportunity House.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits for several of its grant programs. Each program has its own unique set of guidelines and deadlines. The application process is conducted online. Direct general questions to the staff at 815-748-5383 or via online form.
PEOPLE:
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