Through generous donor support, the DeKalb County Community Foundation is excited to announce the distribution of $198,307 in Community Needs Grants this fall. These grants impact 29 organizations that serve the residents of DeKalb County.

Applications for Community Needs Grants are available to nonprofits and eligible community organizations in the beginning of January and July each year.

“The Grants Committee worked diligently on the distribution of these funds to empower local organizations, it is a joy and a privilege to fund these worthwhile projects.” said Community Foundation Program Director Anita Zurbrugg.

• Adventure Works of DeKalb County, Inc. – $15,750 for program support and property expansion project including a low elements course
• Bethany First Step Preschool – $1,600 for replacement of a laminator and listening center
• Children’s Home + Aid – $4,500 to purchase support materials for the Healthy Families Illinois program
• City of Genoa – $4,500 for purchase of a mobile testing trailer, part of the wastewater treatment biological nutrient recovery system
• Consumer Advocacy Council of DeKalb County – $1,600 for office equipment
• Cornerstone Christian Academy – $9,035 for purchase of Chromebooks to use with secondary students
• Cortland Community Library – $3,100 for shelving to house a growing book collection
• Ben Gordon Center – $5,500 for purchase of replacement washers, dryers, and refrigerators for client use
• DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office – $20,000 for outfitting the Sheriff’s Mobile Command Post with two new portable dispatch stations
• DeKalb County Youth Service Bureau (YSB) – $4,000 for Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) for YSB and Hope Haven staff
• DeKalb Public Library – $1,200 to purchase mobile internet hotspots for greater internet access
• Elder Care Services of DeKalb County – $7,500 for access costs to become part of Coordinated Care Alliance
• Ellwood House Association – $50,000 over two years for Phase 1 restoration of the Ellwood House Mansion as part of Jeffris Family Foundation challenge grant
• Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project – $3,000 for supplies and materials for legal education and access to Mexican Consulate mobile office
• Fox Valley Older Adult Services – $10,000 for parking lot lighting, repair, and re-striping
• Genoa-Kingston Volunteer Fire – $5,277 for purchase of SCBA hoods for structural firefighting
• Girls on the Run of Northwest Illinois – $1,500 for supplies and curriculum to expand access to the program for interested girls
• Greater Elgin Family Care Center – $4,500 for replacement of medical equipment
• Hinckley Historical Society – $10,000 for emergency repairs of the Hinckley Historical Society Museum’s historic building
• Northern Public Radio – $12,500 for equipment and retrofitting of the WNIJ Mobile Recording Studio
• Oaken Acres Wildlife Center – $12,000 for appliances and equipment of new care center
• RAMP – $2,650 to purchase books associated with Wrightslaw Training for providers in DeKalb County area
• Sandwich Park District – $5,000 for supplies, scripts, and materials to support an after school theater program
• Sandwich Public Library District – $11,000 for program curriculum and supplies for online high school
• Shabbona-Lee-Rollo Historical Museum – $1,200 for circulation fans
• Somonauk Public Library District – $3,000 for a new website
• TAILS Humane Society – $2,000 for improvements to outside play yard
• The Gracie Center – $1,395 for a certification manual to use in training with the mobile PopUp Shop
• The Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb – $10,000 for security deposit assistance for disabled and elderly

One of several grantmaking programs at the Foundation, Community Needs Grants receive funding through community impact funds, field of interest funds, and donor advised funds. Donations to any fund at the Community Foundation can be made online at dekalbccf.org/donate, or by mail to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, IL 60178. For questions or additional information on grants, please contact Grants & Community Initiatives Manager Marc Hooks at 815-748-5383 or m.hooks@dekalbccf.org.