The DeKalb County Community Foundation is excited to announce the launch of its Build the Future Grant Program, a new initiative designed to support the construction and expansion of facilities that serve the charitable needs of residents in DeKalb County, IL. With grants of up to $100,000 available (paid in multi-year installments), this program aims to empower local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and public sector entities to build the infrastructure needed to expand their community impact.

Build the Future Grants provide crucial support for projects involving the construction of new facilities or expansion of physical space to better serve residents. This new grant program replaces the large request section of the Foundation’s existing Community Needs Grant program. All requests for construction and expansion from eligible organizations will funnel through the Build the Future Grant program.

“We’re thrilled to offer this opportunity to help strengthen the capacity of local organizations,” said Dan Templin, Community Foundation Executive Director. “This program reflects our commitment to supporting projects that have a lasting and positive impact on our community’s quality of life, and we encourage eligible organizations to apply as they build on the services they provide.”

Organizations interested in applying must follow a multi-step process:

1. Initial Contact – After January 1, applicants should contact the Community Foundation’s grants staff to discuss their project and timeline. grants@dekalbccf.org or 815-748-5383
2. Letter of Intent (LOI) – Next, applicants must submit an LOI by April 1. Feedback will be provided within two weeks.
3. Full Application – Based on the LOI feedback, invited applicants may submit a full application by May 15. This step requires detailed information, including a project budget and timeline.

Site visits may be conducted as part of the review process, and applicants may be asked to present their projects to the Foundation’s Grants Committee. Applications are reviewed in June, with final decisions announced by August 1. Grants will then be awarded via ACH transfer.

“The Build the Future Grant Program represents a significant investment in the long-term success of DeKalb County’s nonprofit and public sector organizations,” said Jolene Willis, Community Foundation Grants & Community Initiatives Director. “We look forward to supporting innovative and impactful projects that will enhance the growth and vitality of our county’s diverse nonprofit and public institutions.”

For more information on eligibility and the application process please review the Build the Future Grant guidelines. For questions, please contact Foundation grants staff at grants@dekalbccf.org or 815-748-5383.