Read this story (page 18) in the 2022 Annual Report!

The DeKalb County Community Foundation is committed to early care and education, and kindergarten readiness in DeKalb County. The Community Foundation partners with the DeKalb County Collaborative for Young Children, led by the DeKalb County Regional Office of Education. The Collaborative supports early learning and better prepares DeKalb County children for kindergarten.

2022 Highlights:

• The Collaborative began working with the State of Illinois Birth to Five Initiative to address early childhood needs in each region.
• The Community Foundation provided $47,500 in grants for Kindergarten Readiness Toolkits, and to support DeKalb County ROE’s coordination of the Collaborative and the Basics DeKalb County program.
• Distribution of 1,150 Kindergarten Readiness Toolkits to help prepare incoming students and their families for kindergarten in the fall.
• A local business generously sponsored 200 of the 1,150 Kindergarten Readiness Toolkits. Thank you, Brian Bemis Toyota of DeKalb!

Kindergarten Readiness Toolkits

Since 2018, the Foundation has provided over 5,000 Kindergarten Readiness Toolkits to children throughout DeKalb County. Community partners include School Tool Box (DeKalb) for sourcing items, packing and distributing toolkits, and the DeKalb County Farm Bureau for donating and including the Farm Matching Game.

“My child was so excited about this toolkit and loved getting it out and doing the activities. It also helped me feel I was helping my child with kindergarten preparation.” ~ Parent

Funding for kindergarten readiness programs and projects is made possible through donor generosity to CommunityWorks Funds at the Foundation. Thank you, donors, for investing in early care and education throughout DeKalb County.