The DeKalb County Community Foundation recently awarded $125,650 in Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grants. The grants supported music education to 22 nonprofit and public sector organizations across the greater Chicagoland area, including DeKalb County.

“The grant allows Opportunity House to conduct weekly interactive music therapy,” said Tom Matya, Opportunity House, Inc. executive director. “Our clients look forward to this fun and educational activity. Participation is excellent!”

The Wurlitzer Company was one of the largest musical instrument companies in the United States, with a primary manufacturing location in DeKalb. The Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation was established in the 1940s and became a Fund at the DeKalb County Community Foundation in 2012. 

Farny R. Wurlitzer

DeKalb County recipients: 

• Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra – $12,500
• Opportunity House, Inc. – $7,000
• Sycamore Education Foundation – $1,500

Greater Chicagoland area recipients: 

• Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre – $5,000
• Changing Worlds – $6,000
• Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble – $4,000
• Chicago Jazz Philharmonic – $5,000
• Chicago Philharmonic Society – $5,000
• Classical Kids Music Education – $8,000
• Elgin Symphony Orchestra – $7,500
• Fulcrum Point New Music Project – $5,000
• Intonation Music – $5,000
• Maywood Fine Arts Association – $5,000
• Music in Urban Schools Inspiring Change – $5,000
• Musical Arts Institute – $7,500
• Rembrandt Chamber Musicians – $1,500
• Rockford Symphony Orchestra – $5,000
• Rockford Wind Ensemble – $2,150
• Snow City Arts Foundation – $10,000
• Southland College Prep Charter High School – $7,500
• Storycatchers Theatre – $7,500
• Young Naperville Singers – $3,000

“We are so grateful for the $12,500 grant,” said Courtney Hanna-McNamara, Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra general manager. “With this support, the KSO hosted nearly 1,300 DeKalb County students for the KSO Children’s Concert at the Egyptian Theatre, provided instruments to local school music programs, and plans to send small ensembles to perform classroom concerts.”

Learn more about Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grants >

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. Questions or inquiries specifically about the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grant can be directed to the Fund’s Board of Advisors Chairperson, George Buck, at george@dekalbccf.org. 

Pictured above: A recent Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grant to Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra provided support to Children’s Concert at the Egyptian Theatre. Nearly 1,300 students from all over DeKalb County attended.