Donating to the Community Foundation
Thank you for your interest in donating to the DeKalb County Community Foundation. Whether you’re contributing to an existing Fund or creating a new one, we offer a variety of giving options to help you maximize your impact.
Giving Options
We offer a variety of giving options to match your charitable goals—from cash and online donations to gifts of stock, life insurance, or real estate. However you choose to give, we’re honored to partner with you in creating opportunities that make a lasting impact across DeKalb County.
Online
The quickest and easiest way to give—support your favorite Funds anytime, anywhere.
Donate easily through our secure online platform using a credit/debit card or direct bank transfer. You can contribute to multiple Funds with the convenient shopping cart feature.
- Click the Donate Online! button
- Search for and select a Fund
- Follow the guided steps to make a one-time or recurring (monthly, quarterly, annual) donation
- Choose to give to another Fund OR proceed to the checkout
Please note: Credit card transactions include a processing fee deducted from your gift. Your tax deduction will be based on the full gift amount. To cover the fee, simply check the box to add 3% to your donation.
Cash or Check
A simple and trusted way to give, perfect for one-time or recurring donations of any size.
Giving by cash or check is a simple and effective way to support the Foundation, whether large or small. Donations can be made in person or by mail. Please make checks payable to DeKalb County Community Foundation and include any gift instructions in the memo, gift envelope, or a cover letter.
Send gifts to:
DeKalb County Community Foundation
475 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, IL 60178
Appreciated Stocks, Bonds, and Mutual Funds
For donors with appreciated investments, gifting securities is a smart and effective way to maximize impact while minimizing taxes.
Donating appreciated securities can help you avoid significant capital gains taxes, allowing for a larger charitable contribution—a win-win for you and the community.
Qualified Charitable Distributions
For individuals age 70½ and older, giving directly from your IRA is a tax-efficient way to support the causes you care about.
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a simple and tax-efficient way to support causes you care about. Individuals age 70½ and older can give up to $110,000 per year (tax year 2026) directly from an IRA to Funds at the DeKalb County Community Foundation, a qualified charitable organization. If you are required to take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA, a QCD can count toward satisfying that requirement while making a lasting difference in DeKalb County. QCDs cannot be contributed to Donor Advised Funds. It’s an impactful way to turn your retirement savings into community support that benefits generations to come.
Cryptocurrency
For donors looking to make a modern and tax-deductible gift, cryptocurrency offers a fast and flexible way to give back.
Make a sizable, tax-deductible donation using cryptocurrency. The Community Foundation accepts a variety of cryptocurrencies through BitPay, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Dogecoin (DOGE), and more.
Gift of Grain
For local farmers, donating grain is a simple and meaningful way to give back while enjoying potential tax advantages.
Donating grain is a simple yet impactful way to make a difference. Align your generosity with your charitable interests to support various causes in the community.
Real Estate
For those with appreciated property or land, a gift of real estate can be a powerful way to make a lasting difference.
Donating real estate or other tangible assets is a powerful way to contribute. These gifts are tax-deductible, and after the Community Foundation sells the property, the proceeds can be directed to a new or existing Fund.
For questions or to explore the giving option that’s right for you, please contact Executive Director Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org. All contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Ways to Donate Later - Giving Options
Planned Giving
Make a lasting impact by planning a gift that leaves a legacy of love and support through the Community Foundation. We partner with you and your professional advisor to understand your charitable goals and recommend giving strategies to help you achieve them.
Dinontas Society
The Dinontas Society is a special community of donors who have included the Community Foundation in their will, charitable trust, estate plan, or memorial gift designation—and have completed their gift. The word Dinontas (Δίνοντας) is Greek for ‘Giving.’
This Society honors those donors who have made a lasting legacy and provides a place to celebrate their inspiring stories of generosity.
Why Make a Gift to the Community Foundation?
Explore the DeKalb County Community Foundation through these short videos below. Together with our donors and community, we're creating a positive, lasting impact across DeKalb County.
