The DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Fund advisory committee is pleased to announce that a total of $200,380 was awarded to 23 organizations during the first round of DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Grants.

The COVID-19 Response Grant program was designed to support the needs of people in DeKalb County during the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations who received funding during this first round of grantmaking include:

• Adventure Works of DeKalb County
• Barb City Manor Retirement Home
• Barb Food Mart
• Ben Gordon Center
• CASA DeKalb County
• Children’s Home + Aid
• Children’s Learning Center
• DeKalb County Community Gardens
• DeKalb County Health Department
• Epilepsy Advocacy Network
• Family Service Agency of DeKalb County
• Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project
• Fox Valley Family YMCA
• Fox Valley Older Adult Services
• Greater Elgin Family Care Center
• Hope Haven
• Love In the Name of Christ DeKalb Sycamore
• Opportunity House
• The Salvation Army
• Voluntary Action Center of DeKalb County
• We Care Pregnancy Clinic
• Westminster Presbyterian Church
• Youth Outlook

“We are pleased for the opportunity to create a funding collaborative that directly responds to the most critical needs faced by DeKalb County residents as a result of the pandemic,” said Community Foundation Grants Director Tiffany McQueen Lewis. “Preference for grant requests was given to those that met basic needs; including but not limited to food and basic supplies, shelter, health, utility and financial assistance, and support for children and other vulnerable populations. During a time of such uncertainty, grants like these will have an immense impact.”

The DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Fund is a new pass through fund created in collaboration with various local funding partners. The Fund’s purpose is to be a depository for contributions in response to the effects of COVID-19 in DeKalb County. Grants distributed can address preparedness, response, recovery, and/or rebuilding efforts as the pandemic evolves.

“We are pleased for the opportunity to create a funding collaborative that directly responds to the most critical needs faced by DeKalb County residents as a result of the pandemic,” said Community Foundation Grants Director Tiffany McQueen Lewis. “Preference for grant requests was given to those that met basic needs; including but not limited to food and basic supplies, shelter, health, utility and financial assistance, and support for children and other vulnerable populations. During a time of such uncertainty, grants like these will have an immense impact.”

Funding for this first round of grants was made possible by a grant from the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund as well as local funding partners, including the DeKalb County Community Foundation, Douglas C. & Lynn M. Roberts Family Foundation, DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board, and IDEAL Foundation.

Learn more about the DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Fund >

A second formal round of grants may be awarded when/if additional funding becomes available. At that time, the COVID-19 Response Grant program will re-open and begin accepting requests with the Community Foundation releasing appropriate notice through various communication channels.

For questions related to the new Fund or advisory committee, please contact Community Foundation Executive Director Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org. For questions related to grantmaking, please contact Community Foundation Grants Director Tiffany McQueen Lewis at tiffany@dekalbccf.org.

Learn more about DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Grants >