From public safety and animal welfare to fine arts and vocational education, local projects aimed at addressing community needs received support through the DeKalb County Community Foundation’s Community Needs Grant program this fall. In total, 25 local nonprofit and public sector organizations benefitted from $162,250 in grants.

Indian Valley Vocational Center – Fall 2022 Community Needs Grant Recipient

“The Community Foundation has supported career and technical education at Indian Valley Vocational Center (IVVC) for many years,” said IVVC Director Joe Barbic. “As IVVC works with local employers to fill the demand for skilled welders, it’s wonderful to have grant support from the Community Foundation to use for industry-specific equipment. IVVC currently has 95 students from 10 communities preparing for a career in welding and fabrication. The grant dollars immediately impact students in the form of equipment and prepare them for high-skilled, high-wage employment.”

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

Fall 2022 Community Needs Grants:

• Barb Food Mart – $10,000 to build a structure for a food pantry welcome station
• Clinton Township Public Library – $750 to establish a STEM equipment collection
• Ben Gordon Center – $10,000 to provide instructor training and supplies for mental health first aid program
• DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office – $27,000 to add a mobile communications terminal to patrol vehicles
• Dimensions Youth Ballet – $1,500 to provide supplies for a ballet production
• Elder Care Services of DeKalb County – $3,400 to build an accessible ramp
• Federated Church Preschool – $2,000 to add ground covering to a playground
• Fox Valley Family YMCA – $9,400 to install security cameras for a childcare center
• Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois – $2,700 to provide girl’s empowerment program kits
• Girls on the Run of Northwest Illinois – $2,500 to provide supplies for a girl’s exercise program
• Indian Valley Community Band – $500 to purchase music for performances
• Indian Valley Vocational Center – $9,500 to acquire welders for students
• Kirkland Community FPD – $10,400 to purchase a power load system for an ambulance
• Kirkland Lions Club – $2,500 to remodel a hall bathroom for ADA compliance
• Kishwaukee Valley Art League – $3,000 to purchase art supplies for community art classes
• Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) Division 6 – $3,000 to purchase a medical bed
• Malta Township Public Library – $4,000 to create a collaborative community art mosaic for the front of the library
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI KDK) – $2,500 to provide materials to connect individuals with mental health services
• Oaken Acres Wildlife Center – $9,500 to construct a space for ducklings and goslings
• Opportunity House, Inc. – $16,300 to obtain a walk-in tub for client services
• Sycamore Public Library – $8,000 to build a play-based learning area for youth
• Tails Humane Society – $2,400 to obtain a washing machine
• The Barn on Baseline – $1,100 to provide a ventilation system for an animal shelter
• Voluntary Action Center – $17,300 to provide ovens and a range
• Youth Pride Foundation – $3,000 to support a youth sports camp

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 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.