We are excited to announce that Austin Schroeder has joined the DeKalb County Community Foundation team as the full-time grants manager. In this role, Austin will join the grants staff to help administer various grantmaking programs, support grant distributions, efficiently manage databases, and track grant outcomes.

Austin is a proud graduate of Northern Illinois University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit and NGO Studies, with a minor in marketing. During his time at NIU, he was an active member of the NNGO Ambassadors Student Organization, focusing on community outreach and engagement, including fundraising efforts for the Give DeKalb County Bonus Pool. He also gained hands-on experience through internships with local nonprofits like Walcamp in Kingston and Adventure Works in DeKalb. After graduating in December 2022, Austin began his professional career as marketing and communications coordinator for Opportunity House in Sycamore.

“Being part of a team dedicated to making DeKalb County a better place to live, work, and visit is truly inspiring,” said Austin. “I’m excited to connect with local nonprofits and support their missions through grant distributions.”

Born and raised in Sycamore, Austin is deeply rooted in the community and looks forward to continuing his life and career in the area. He and his girlfriend of three years, Juliana, enjoy spending time with their two cats and exploring the beautiful nature trails of DeKalb County and northern Illinois. In his free time, Austin enjoys playing and watching sports (he’s a die-hard Chicago Bulls, Cubs, and Pittsburgh Steelers fan) and unwinding with a good story-driven video game.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Austin as he begins his new role at the Community Foundation!

Serving the community since 1993, the DeKalb County Community Foundation is a nonprofit foundation that enhances the quality of life in DeKalb County, IL, through endowments & donor services, stewardship, grantmaking, and community initiatives. The Community Foundation awards grants in the areas of arts & culture, community development, environment & animal welfare, education, health & human services, and nonprofit capacity building. Today, the Foundation manages over 477 Funds that, collectively, provide over $4 million in annual support for needs today and in the future.