During 2018, the DeKalb County Community Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a number of exciting activities to celebrate, thank, and give back to the community. Founders Charlie and Mary Roberts’ vision to create the Foundation as a catalyst to grow philanthropy in DeKalb County has surpassed many expectations – distributing over $25 million in grants and managing over $50 million in local charitable assets – all from their lead gift of $3.6 million.

“Our entire Board and staff will be actively engaged in these various activities throughout the year”, said Community Foundation Executive Director Dan Templin. “We are excited to honor the past, celebrate well, and build momentum for an even more exciting next 25 years of community philanthropy!”

The Sycamore Depot Light Show

Working with NIU Time Arts students and Associate Professor Bart Woodstrup, the Sycamore Depot Light Show took place on Saturday, May 19, as one of many celebration events planned. Through artistic interpretation and motion graphics, the Light Show provided viewers a unique overview of the Community Foundation’s 25 year of philanthropy and delivered a few laughs along the way.

• View event photos on Facebook
• View the Sycamore Depot Light Show
• View the “DeKalb County by Drone” Show

Stories of Generosity

Partnering with WNIU/WNIJ, Stories of Generosity are recorded at various locations and times during 2018. These stories come from community members who wish to speak of generosity. Recordings can be one’s reasoning as to why generosity is important for the community or can be of a time that they experienced, witnessed, or played a part in generosity.

Celebration Grants

Abraham Lincoln stops by in Shabbona to nominate a nonprofit for a Celebration Grant.

As the ‘Give’ part of the celebration activities, Celebration Grants are specific to each community in DeKalb County. Over the next six months, the Community Foundation will be giving away one $2,500 grant per community to benefit an eligible nonprofit or community organization that is located in each community. The Foundation will implement this during a signature event associated with each community – one that draws many local attendees. The Foundation will participate in this signature event by way of a booth or table and take nominations from attendees. At the end of each event, a drawing will be held. The selected organization will receive a $2,500 Celebration Grant from the Community Foundation.

Celebration Grants will be at the following events and locations in 2018:

• Lee Fire Department Pancake Breakfast – Saturday, March 31 and the N.I.C.E Center 5k – Sunday, May 6
  • View event photos
    $2,500 Celebration Grant goes to Lee Fire Department and the NICE Center!
• Genoa Days – Wednesday, June 6
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    $2,500 Celebration Grant goes to Genoa Police Department!
• Malta Days – Saturday, June 9
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    $2,500 Celebration Grant goes to Malta Fire Department!
• Sandwich Freedom Days – Saturday, June 30
  • View event photos
    $2,500 Celebration Grant goes to Sandwich Fire Department!
• Hinckley Family Fun Festival and Fireworks – Saturday, June 30
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    $2,500 Celebration Grant goes to Hinckley Food Pantry!
• Kirkland 4th of July Celebration – Tuesday, July 3
  • View event photos
    $2,500 Celebration Grant goes to Kirkland Food Pantry!
• Shabbona Hometown 4th of July Festival – Wednesday, July 4
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    $2,500 Celebration Grant goes to Indian Creek School District!
• DeKalb Hopkins Park 4^th of July – Wednesday, July 4
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    $2,500 Celebration Grant goes to TAILS Humane Society!
• Kingston Celebration – Saturday, July 14
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    $2,500 Celebration Grant goes to Kingston Community Sharing Library (Hand in Hand)!
• Waterman Summer Fest – Saturday, July 21
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    $2,500 Celebration Grant goes to Waterman Summer Recreation!
• Cortland Summer Fest – Saturday, August 11
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    $2,500 Celebration Grant goes to Cortland Elementary School!
• Maple Park Fun Fest – Saturday, September 1
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    $2,500 Celebration Grant goes to Maple Park Public Library!
• Somonauk Hometown Harvest – Saturday, October 20
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    $2,500 Celebration Grant goes to Somonauk Education Foundation!
• Sycamore Pumpkin Fest  – Saturday, October 27
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    $2,500 Celebration Grant goes to Neighbors’ House!

Multi-Chamber After Hours

A celebration with our local chambers of commerce. Thursday, October 18 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Learn more >

25^th Anniversary Celebration Dinner

• A very special dinner for donors, past board members, and other supporters. Invitation only.
• View event photos
• Watch the 25th Anniversary “Dinner Messages” with special guests Helen Monroe, Javier Soto, and Richard Jenkins.
• Watch the “Stories of Generosity” sampling

Sycamore Pumpkin Fest

The Sycamore Train Depot is listed as one of the historic locations on this year’s Pumpkin Fest Historic Homes Tour. The theme is “Built in Brick”. Learn more.

Community Foundation Week

A week-long celebration of Community Foundations all across the world. This year, in celebration of the Foundation’s 25^th Anniversary and Youth Engaged in Philanthropy’s (YEP) 10th Anniversary, YEP members will take the lead on celebration activities and communication.

For questions or more information on the Community Foundation’s 25th Anniversary celebration, please contact Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org

Special thank you to our 25^th Anniversary Annual Sponsors!

Thank you for your support during this year of celebration and thank you for partnering with us in this very special way to honor the past, celebrate well, and build momentum for an even more exciting next 25 years of community philanthropy!

Annual Sponsors to date: