From new playground equipment to legal education, local projects aimed at addressing needs from within the community were funded through the DeKalb County Community Foundation’s Community Needs Grant program this fall. Sixteen local nonprofit and community organizations will benefit from grants totaling $150,378.

“Tails Humane Society is grateful to the Community Foundation for this grant to purchase a dog wash station,” said Michelle Groeper, Executive Director of Tails Humane Society. “This will help us with disease control and also more easily bathe and groom dogs so they will be more comfortable during their stay in the shelter.”

A fall 2021 check is delivered to Elder Care Services of DeKalb County to support new signage. Pictured is Community Grants Committee Chair Amie Carey (Hinckley), Elder Care Services Executive Director Tara Russo and Grants & DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership Director Ben Bingle.

Available in the spring and fall each year, Community Needs Grants are distributed to eligible organizations in DeKalb County. Applications align with five grantmaking interest areas: Arts and Culture, Education, Community Development, Environment & Animal Welfare, and Health & Human Services.

Fall 2021 Community Needs Grants:

• • CASA DeKalb County – $4,000 to purchase supplies for a new office
  • Children’s Home + Aid – $5,000 to supply basic needs for infants and toddlers
  • Consumer Advocacy Council of DeKalb County – $497 to purchase office supplies
  • Dimensions Youth Ballet – $4,741 to renovate a dance rehearsal space
  • Elder Care Services of DeKalb County – $15,000 to purchase an electronic sign and message center
  • Equine Dreams – $5,000 to purchase security cameras
  • Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project – $2,500 to provide legal education and vaccine awareness
  • Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois – $2,000 to support a scout leadership program
  • Girls on the Run of Northwest Illinois – $4,200 to provide supplies for a girls exercise program
  • Kingston Township Park District – $30,000 to provide new playground equipment for Kingston Park
  • NIU – Child Development and Family Center – $11,550 to purchase dishwashers for daycare classrooms
  • NIU – Nutrition, Dietetics & Wellness – $4,510 to support a childhood health program
  • NIU – School of Nursing – $4,300 to support a pain management program for older adults
  • Opportunity House, Inc. – $4,500 to repair walkways and steps at group homes
  • Safe Passage – $100,000 multi-year pledge to support a new facility
  • Tails Humane Society – $2,580 to purchase a dog washing station

“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with a variety of organizations on these meaningful projects,” said Grants & DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership (DCNP) Director Ben Bingle. “Our gratitude goes to the donors who make grants like these possible and to the incredible organizations serving DeKalb County.”

One of several grantmaking programs at the Community 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, please contact grants@dekalbccf.org.