The DeKalb County Community Foundation is thrilled to announce the Templin Family Fund. This Donor Advised Fund enables the Templin family to support organizations and important issues that align with their charitable interests.

Dan and Kristal Templin married in 2001 and have two children, Erin (born in 2003) and Luke (born in 2005). The Templin’s lived in DeKalb for several years but spent most of their family life living in Sycamore. They are an invested part of DeKalb County and consider themselves blessed with careers and meaningful work they love.

According to Dan, the reasons for creating the Fund are numerous. “We want to model philanthropy to both our children and the greater community we serve,” he said. “When the time comes, and Kristal and I are no longer advisors to the Fund, our children can take over and continue to keep our legacy of generosity alive. Fast forward from there to when our children are no longer advising the Fund, and it will become a Community Impact Fund. This Fund type will allow the Foundation Board to respond to needs and opportunities throughout DeKalb County. It’s an honor for me to work at the Community Foundation and even more meaningful to be in partnership with the Foundation as a donor and Fund holder.”

Dan is originally from Peoria, IL, but has lived in DeKalb County most of his life. He attended Northern Illinois University and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in marriage and family therapy. Upon graduation, Dan worked full-time with at-risk youth and families through the DeKalb County Youth Service Bureau (YSB) in DeKalb. Dan worked at YSB for 15 years, starting as a mentor, then as a counselor, program supervisor, and finally serving as the agency’s executive director for nine years. Dan joined the DeKalb County Community Foundation in 2005, serving as the Foundation’s first program director. In 2008, upon his predecessor’s retirement, he was selected as the Foundation’s third executive director, where he currently serves. Dan earned a master’s in nonprofit administration from DePaul University in 2008.

Kristal was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Her parents were American citizens, making her a dual-citizen, something that is significant to her. She attended Ambrose University, earning a bachelor’s degree before attending Nyack College in Nyack, NY, completing a second degree in psychology. Kristal moved to Illinois to attend Wheaton College and graduated with a master’s in clinical psychology in 1996. Kristal worked as a youth and family therapist for many years before shifting to school/education-based support. She has worked for the DeKalb County Regional Office of Education in truancy services, Kishwaukee Education Consortium as a counselor, and currently works for Sycamore School District as a school counselor.

Donations to any Fund at the Community Foundation, including the Templin Family Fund, can be made online or by mail to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, IL 60178. For questions or to start your charitable Fund, please contact Executive Director Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.