About CommunityWorks
In 2003 the DeKalb County Community Foundation was one of 18 Illinois community foundations invited by the Grand Victoria Foundation to participate in an endowment building program aimed at grant making. The CommunityWorks initiative is designed to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use that impact DeKalb County.
By 2011, the CommunityWorks initiative had generated $3.7 million in support from Grand Victoria Foundation which included a dollar for dollar match, leveraging $1,045,547 from generous community donors. These donations launched the creation of 20 different CommunityWorks Funds.
Working with input from the community through town meetings and steering committees, board members and staff develop impact plans in three program areas of:
Through grantmaking, CommunityWorks Funds continue to make a lasting impact in our community. Some results include: area child care centers improved their overall effectiveness and youth are more prepared for Kindergarten, middle school youth and teachers engaged in building soft skills, and municipalities updated their storm water ordinances while DeKalb County launched watershed planning.
CommunityWorks Grants are available by invitation only. For questions or for more information, please contact Community Engagement Director Teri Spartz at 815-748-5383 or t.spartz@dekalbccf.org for assistance.
CommunityWorks Funds are classified as Field of Interest Funds at the Community Foundation. Contribute to any Fund at the Community Foundation including a CommunityWorks Fund online or by mail to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, IL 60178.
