Together, with the support of our donors, the DeKalb County Community Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in DeKalb County, IL. Grants from the Foundation come from a variety of grant programs we offer. Each program is unique in how to apply, who it supports, and the impact it creates. So how do these grants impact the community in which we live? Learn more in this grant in action story below! 

The Gregory Widerberg Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in 2018, honoring the life and legacy of DeKalb resident Gregory Widerberg. Upon his passing, his wife Carol established a Scholarship Fund in his memory. “When Greg passed away, I wanted to create something that would celebrate his life, his love of DeKalb, and his love of teaching,” she said.

Check out this Grant in Action story in the 2019 Annual Report.

As a 2019 graduate of DeKalb High School, Allison Lawler was the first recipient of the scholarship award. She went on to attend Illinois State University (ISU) in the fall of 2019, majoring in English. After completing four years at ISU, she hopes to become a high school English teacher at a school that is defined as ‘in need.’ She is following in the footsteps of her grandmother and great grandmother as a third generation educator. Allison plans to begin her second year at ISU in the fall of 2020. She is a Golden Apple Scholar and is excited for the opportunities that lie ahead as she begins her major classes.

“My ultimate goal is beyond giving kids the knowledge needed for the real world; I want to make a lasting difference in my students’ lives. This is my passion. I want to make each student that comes through my classroom feel as if they matter. It was an honor to meet Carol Widerberg and receive the award from her in person. This scholarship has given me so much more than just financial assistance for college, it’s given me a new friend. My hope is to make Carol and Greg proud as I pursue our shared passion for education. I am so thankful for their generosity!” – Allison Lawler, Scholarship Recipient

Funding for this grant is made possible through donor generosity to the Gregory Widerberg Memorial Scholarship Fund, a Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation. 

Thank you to Carol Widerberg and other donors whose gifts makes grants like these possible!