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 Community Foundation come from a variety of grant programs. 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! 

In September of 2021, the DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Fund Fund (DCCRF) Advisory Committee awarded their fifth and final round of grants from the DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Fund.

Grantmaking from this Fund began in April 2020 in response to the community’s immediate needs due to the worldwide pandemic. Through valuable donor generosity and two grants from the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund, the Fund collected a total of $729,135 in contributions.

Grants went primarily to nonprofit organizations serving DeKalb County’s most vulnerable populations. The focus was on basic human needs, including emergency food, basic supplies, interim housing and shelter, primary health care services, utility and financial aid, care for children and other vulnerable populations, and support to nonprofit organizations for operating assistance.

The impact from the grants addressed a variety of priority areas. One example is in food security and support for children. The Fox Valley Family YMCA stepped in to begin serving dinners to families in the community. A $3,000 grant provided the YMCA with funding to purchase food to start the Emergency Child Care program. Over the next several months, the YMCA served daily meals and offered emergency daycare to children.

View the story in our 2021 Report to the Community!

Another example is in health care services. An $89,000 grant aided in the purchase of a mobile health unit for the DeKalb County Health Department to use in vaccine distribution. The mobile unit is utilized all across DeKalb County providing vaccine access and convenience-based opportunities for residents. The long-term usage of the health unit includes offering additional services, screenings, and education.

Together, we have made a positive impact to help those in need despite the obstacles faced by this pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, 115 grants and $729,135 in support assisted 55 organizations across DeKalb County. No administrative fees were charged by the Foundation to administer the Fund.

Thank you to the funding partners who joined us to form the COVID-19 Response Fund Advisory Committee: Kishwaukee United Way, Douglas C. & Lynn M. Roberts Family Foundation, DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board, IDEAL Foundation, Horizons Unlimited Foundation, and the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership.

Thank you to the many generous donors who responded out of kindness to care for our local community!

Pictured: Grants from the DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Fund have made a positive impact to help those in need despite the obstacles faced by this pandemic.