Field of Interest Funds

Field of Interest Funds create grants that meet the needs of a particular field (i.e. youth, elderly, literacy, food security) or geographic area that is of interest to you, the donor.

To discuss your charitable interests or to give back to the community by establishing a Fund of your own, please contact Executive Director Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.

Barbara J. Rauman Family CommunityWorks Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the Barbara J. Rauman Family CommunityWorks Fund >

Bill and Bonnie Mullins CommunityWorks Endowment Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the Bill and Bonnie Mullins CommunityWorks Endowment Fund >

Charles and Ruth Townsend Family Fund

Established in 1996, this Fund provides support in the fields of Art, Culture, Education, and Conservation (including landscaping and beautification projects).

Donate to the Charles and Ruth Townsend Family Fund >

Charter Grove Grange #1843 Fund

This Fund provides support to nonprofit organizations that support agricultural pursuits, health and human services, and community development as determined by the Foundation Board of Directors.

Donate to the Charter Grove Grange #1843 Fund >

Cinco de Mayo CommunityWorks Endowment Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the Cinco de Mayo CommunityWorks Endowment Fund >

CommunityWorks Funds (Full Listing - 20 Funds)

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. The purpose of these Funds are to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County.

  • William H. and Mary M. Awalt Communityworks Fund
  • Nancy D. Castle Communityworks Fund
  • Tony and Micki Chulick Communityworks Fund
  • Cinco De Mayo Communityworks Endowment Fund
  • Communityworks Fund
  • CommunityWorks Leadership Endowment Fund
  • Curran Communityworks Endowment Fund
  • Steve and Pat Faivre Communityworks Endowment Fund
  • First National Bank CommunityWorks Fund
  • Dr. Gordon and Joan Graham Communityworks Fund
  • Lana and Michael Haines Communityworks Endowment Fund
  • Jerry and Annette Johns Communityworks Fund
  • Kishwaukee Kiwanis Club Communityworks Endowment Fund
  • Karen Lee Klein Communityworks Endowment Fund
  • Bill and Bonnie Mullins Communityworks Endowment Fund
  • Howard and Martha Mullins Memorial Communityworks Endowment Fund
  • Northern Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Communityworks Fund
  • Robert and Mary Pritchard Communityworks Endowment Fund
  • Barbara J. Rauman Family Communityworks Fund
  • Daniel and Kristal Templin Communityworks Fund

Please visit the alphabetical Fund listing on this page to donate to a specific CommunityWorks Fund.

Learn more about the CommunityWorks Initiative >

CommunityWorks Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the CommunityWorks Fund >

CommunityWorks Leadership Endowment Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the CommunityWorks Leadership Endowment Fund >

Curran CommunityWorks Endowment Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the Curran CommunityWorks Endowment Fund >

Daniel and Kristal Templin CommunityWorks Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the Daniel and Kristal Templin CommunityWorks Fund >

Daycare Fund for Children

Beginning in 1996, this Fund provides support for either capital or operating expense purposes to day care centers that operate within DeKalb County.

Donate to the Daycare Fund for Children >

DCNP Endowment Fund

Created in 2018, this Fund provides administrative, operating, and/or programmatic support to programs and/or organizations that increase the capacity, effectiveness, and efficiency of nonprofit organizations serving DeKalb County. Learn more about DCNP >

Donate to the DCNP Endowment Fund >

DCNP Program Fund

This Fund supports the programmatic needs of the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership (DCNP), a membership-based program of the DeKalb County Community Foundation. DCNP works to strengthen nonprofit organizations in DeKalb County through training, programming, collaboration, access to resources, and professional development opportunities. Learn more about DCNP >

Donate to the DCNP Program Fund >

Deborah and Colin Booth Fund

This Fund provides support to DeKalb County organizations serving two areas of need: food insecurity and victims of domestic violence. Learn more about the Deborah and Colin Booth Fund >

Donate to the Deborah and Colin Booth Fund >

DeKalb County Youth Grantmakers Fund

This Fund was established in 2008 as a gift from Helen Bozivich in her passing. This gift was partially used to create the Youth Grantmakers Fund, which has become the major funding support of the Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP). Grants from this Fund support the YEP Grants program for DeKalb County. Learn more about YEP Grants >

Donate to the DeKalb County Youth Grantmakers Fund >

Dr. Gordon and Joan Graham CommunityWorks Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the Dr. Gordon and Joan Graham CommunityWorks Fund >

Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund

This 2012 Fund allows the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Board of Advisors to make grant recommendations to nonprofit and public sector organizations throughout the greater Chicagoland area involving music education. Learn more about the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund >

Donate to the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund >

Farny R. Wurlitzer Fund

The Farny R. Wurlitzer Fund provides financial assistance to further music education, music appreciation, and performance.

Donate to the Farny R. Wurlitzer Fund >

First National Bank CommunityWorks Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the First National Bank CommunityWorks Fund >

Helen and Kenneth O'Kane Fund

This Fund provides support to DeKalb County Public Schools to carry out its role and mission described by its governing board.

Donate to the Helen and Kenneth O'Kane Fund >

Howard and Martha Mullins Memorial CommunityWorks Endowment Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the Howard and Martha Mullins Memorial CommunityWorks Endowment Fund >

Howard and Mildred Eychaner Fund

A charitable remainder trust gift established this Field of Interest Fund to support projects related to health care and affordable housing within DeKalb township. Learn more about the Howard and Mildred Eychaner Fund >

Donate to the Howard and Mildred Eychaner Fund >

Janet Hack Animal Welfare Endowment Fund

This Fund was established in 2000 as a gift from Janet Hack to support animal welfare causes in DeKalb County.

Donate to the Janet Hack Animal Welfare Endowment Fund >

Jerry & Annette Johns CommunityWorks Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the Jerry & Annette Johns CommunityWorks Fund >

John & Linda Linden Human Services Emergency Fund

This Fund provides emergency assistance to local human service agencies in times of need. Such grants should not be awarded for routine capital needs of organizations; rather, should prioritize needs that occur as a result of an unexpected/unplanned emergency (i.e. natural disaster, significant loss of funding due to no fault of their own, sudden breakdown of critical equipment).

Donate to the John & Linda Linden Human Services Emergency Fund >

Karen Lee Klein CommunityWorks Endowment Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the Karen Lee Klein CommunityWorks Endowment Fund >

Kirkland-Fairdale Community Endowment Fund

This Fund was created by the residents of Kirkland and Fairdale to specifically support public and nonprofit entities that have a direct benefit to Kirkland and Fairdale residents. Learn more about this Fund >

Donate to the Kirkland-Fairdale Community Endowment Fund

Kishwaukee Kiwanis Club CommunityWorks Endowment Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the Kishwaukee Kiwanis Club CommunityWorks Endowment Fund >

Lana and Michael Haines CommunityWorks Endowment Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the Lana and Michael Haines CommunityWorks Endowment Fund >

Malta Community Endowment Fund

Created as an endowment for the community, this Fund provides support to organizations and nonprofit entities serving Malta, IL. Through ongoing community support and generosity, this Fund continues to grow and provide impact where needed most. Learn more about the Malta Community Endowment Fund >

Donate to the Malta Community Endowment Fund >

Marjorie and Clifford Danielson Fund

This Fund supports nonprofit organizations that provide a sense of community or identity throughout DeKalb County. Such interests as nature and land conservation, historic preservation, cultural and artistic endeavors, and archival preservation will be considered for grants from this Fund.

Donate to the Marjorie and Clifford Danielson Fund >

Nancy D. Castle CommunityWorks Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the Nancy D. Castle CommunityWorks Fund >

Northern Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine CommunityWorks Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the Northern Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine CommunityWorks Fund >

Robert and Mary Pritchard CommunityWorks Endowment Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the Robert and Mary Pritchard CommunityWorks Endowment Fund >

Ronald and Karen Klein Endowment Fund for Libraries

Established in 1996, this Fund provides support to libraries throughout DeKalb County.

Donate to the Ronald and Karen Klein Endowment Fund for Libraries >

Rowland and Lucile Matteson Conservation & Wildlife Fund

One of four Funds that were left by Rowland and Lucile Matteson to benefit the community. This Fund supports conservation and wildlife preservation purposes.

Donate to the Rowland and Lucile Matteson Conservation & Wildlife Fund >

Rowland and Lucile Matteson Elderly Assistance Fund

One of four Funds that were left by Rowland and Lucile Matteson to benefit the community. This Fund provides assistance to the elderly of DeKalb County.

Donate to the Rowland and Lucile Matteson Elderly Assistance Fund >

Steve and Pat Faivre CommunityWorks Endowment Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the Steve and Pat Faivre CommunityWorks Endowment Fund >

The Promise Fund – El Fondo de la Promesa

Established by Jack & Eloise Kaeck in 2001, the primary purpose of this Fund is to provide support for underserved minority populations in the DeKalb County community. Grants from this Fund are used to support the Promise Grant program for DeKalb County. Learn more about Promise Grants >

Donate to the The Promise Fund – El Fondo de la Promesa >

The September 11 Fund

This Fund provides annual support to area agencies, such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and first responders (police and fire) in the community spirit emanating from our national tragedy.

Donate to the The September 11 Fund >

Tony & Micki Chulick CommunityWorks Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the Tony & Micki Chulick CommunityWorks Fund >

Wiegele Family Early Childhood Literacy Fund

This Fund was established in 2014 to provide support for early childhood literacy outreach direct services to underserved populations of children in DeKalb County.

Donate to the Wiegele Family Early Childhood Literacy Fund >

William H. & Mary M. Awalt CommunityWorks Fund

The purpose of this Fund is to provide grantmaking support to enhance programs and address issues concerning early care and education, workforce development, and land use in DeKalb County. Learn more about CommunityWorks >

Donate to the William H. & Mary M. Awalt CommunityWorks Fund >

YEP Forever Fund

Created in 2022, this Fund provides operational support to Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP), a community initiative of the DeKalb County Community Foundation.

Donate to the YEP Forever Fund >

YEP Horizons Unlimited Fund

Created in January 2021, this Fund supports the proactive grantmaking efforts of Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP). Such efforts are currently led by the YEP 2.Pro Subcommittee who continue to explore and seek to proactively address key youth issues in DeKalb County, IL. This Fund is not intended to add grant resources to YEP’s responsive grantmaking program(s). Learn more about the YEP 2.Pro Committee >

The Fund was originally established as the Horizons Unlimited Castle Advised Fund in May 1995. The purpose was to support the Community Foundation in its early/start up years and to allow for Nancy Castle and her children to have a locally managed charitable Fund and resource to provide grants to local organizations. When the Fund transitioned to individual Donor Advised Funds, Nancy and her children generously donated a portion to support YEP in their proactive grantmaking efforts.

Donate to the YEP Horizons Unlimited Fund >

Donate online to any Fund at the Community Foundation in a few easy steps. Gifts of all sizes are welcome. Together we are leaving a legacy of love and support.

Donate online >

Fundholders have 24/7 access to their Fund through the Fund Portal. The portal provides you the ability to interact with your Fund via a secure, password protected website.

Fund Portal login >