With donor support, the DeKalb County Community Foundation invests in projects and programs that enhance quality of life throughout DeKalb County. Our grants come from a variety of programs, each with unique goals, applicants, and impact. Thank you to our generous donors. Community Needs Grants are made possible through gifts to Community Impact Funds.

How does this generosity make a difference where we live? Explore the story below.

Explore More Stories of Local Impact >

A Shared Vision for Growth

Small communities often face big infrastructure challenges. In the Village of Waterman and Village of Shabbona, aging lagoon systems are nearing capacity and no longer meet environmental standards, creating obstacles for future growth and long-term planning.

In 2025, the Village of Waterman led a multi-community feasibility study to explore a new approach. Supported by a $7,000 Community Needs Grant from the DeKalb County Community Foundation, funded through Community Impact Funds, the study evaluated the possibility of connecting local wastewater systems to the Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District. The project was part of a broader $30,000 collaborative effort that brought together multiple partners to explore a shared solution serving more than 2,500 residents.

What began as a partnership between Waterman and Shabbona grew into a broader regional effort strengthened by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. The study confirmed that a regional approach is both feasible and cost-effective, providing valuable information to help guide future decisions and planning.

Through Community Impact Funds, donor generosity is helping communities work together to address challenges, plan ahead, and build a stronger future.

“Working together, our communities are planning for a stronger future.”