The DeKalb County Community Foundation is excited to announce the Lockard Family Fund. This new Donor Advised Fund aligns with the charitable interests of Jim and Kathy Lockard and their family. The Fund provides them with an opportunity to participate in philanthropy together.

“As a family, we wish to help social service organizations working to meet the needs of our community,” said Jim Lockard. “We also have a great interest in the arts. Kathy’s father was a professional musician and conductor, and we recognize the value of the arts and the impact they leave.”

Jim grew up in northeast Iowa. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa (BA), Northwestern University (MA), and Iowa State University (PhD). After achieving his doctorate, Jim went on to teach at Elmhurst College (Illinois), Buena Vista College (Iowa), Iowa State University, and Northern Illinois University (Illinois). Jim retired in February 2008, having taught for almost 40 years in higher education.

Kathy was born in Ohio and lived there through her first year of college at Ohio State. Her family moved to Ames, Iowa, where her father became head of the music department at Iowa State University. She graduated from Iowa State (BA), Buena Vista College (BS), and Northern Illinois University (MSED). Her professional career began with General Electric as a cost accountant, after which she worked in various financial positions at NIU, retiring in 2005 as a grant administrator.

The Lockard family has one daughter, Kate, who graduated from Beloit College (BA) and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (MA). She has worked in nonprofit fundraising for over 15 years and is currently a grant writer for the Art Center of the Bluegrass. She owns Plaid Elephant Books, a downtown Danville, Kentucky business, is a mosaic artist (Willaray Art), and has three children.

Jim and Kathy have lived in DeKalb and Sycamore since 1980. They are long-time supporters and volunteers of the arts. “The community has been very good to us, and we are pleased to be able to give back through the creation of the Lockard Family Fund,” they stated.

“Partnering in the generosity of the Lockard Family, as well as many other individuals, families, and businesses, is what fuels our mission to make a difference in the quality of life of DeKalb County’s residents,” said Community Foundation Executive Director Dan Templin. “Our Board and staff are very grateful to donors who ‘put their money where their heart is’ by donating and creating charitable Funds at their local community foundation.”

Donations to any Fund at the Community Foundation, including the Lockard 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 Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.