DeKalb County Community Foundation, Pass Through Fund

Pass Through Funds

Pass Through Funds work to support projects with the principal of the Fund eventually used up for the purpose intended.

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.

Active Pass Through Funds

Funds that are actively fulfilling their intent and purpose.

DCCF Special Initiatives Fund

2024 Kindergarten Readiness Toolkits ($11 per toolkit) * Current DCCF Special Initiative

This Fund facilitates contributions from various donors to support Community Foundation-led special projects/initiatives that fall outside the normal business operations of the Foundation.

Provide toolkits for DeKalb County kindergartners >

DCNP Giving Day Fund

This Fund was created to meet the community's charitable needs by facilitating contributions from various donors as part of ‘Giving Day’ events as sponsored/supported by the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership and/or the DeKalb County Community Foundation.

Donate to the DCNP Giving Day Fund >

DeKalb County Community Development Fund

Established by the DeKalb County Community Foundation Board, this Fund allows a variety of donors to support time-limited community development projects throughout DeKalb County.

Donate to the DeKalb County Community Development Fund >

DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Fund

This Fund was created in collaboration with various local funding partners to expedite charitable resources to nonprofit and public sector organizations who are responding to COVID-19 related needs throughout DeKalb County. Resources are granted where they are needed most, with an initial focus on the basic needs of those most significantly impacted by this crisis. Learn more about the DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Fund >

Donate to the DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Fund >

DeKalb County Disaster Recovery Fund

In response to the tornado that struck Fairdale and surrounding communities in DeKalb County, IL on April 9, 2015, this Fund distributes as recommended to the DeKalb County Long Term Recovery Corporation (DCLTRC). Learn more about the DeKalb County Disaster Recovery Fund >

Donate to the DeKalb County Disaster Recovery Fund >

DeKalb County Estate Planning Council Fund

This Fund provides educational opportunities for estate planning professionals in DeKalb County.

Donate to the DeKalb County Estate Planning Council Fund >

DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership Pass Through Fund

This Fund connects grants and supporting membership with the mission and services of the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership. Learn more about the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership >

Donate to the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership Pass Through Fund >

DeKalb Municipal Band Pass Through Fund

This Fund provides a depository for various contributions to support the operating needs of the DeKalb Municipal Band.

Donate to the DeKalb Municipal Band Pass Through Fund >

DeKalb Rotary Club Charitable Impact Fund

This Fund provides a depository for public contributions to support charitable projects that are of interest to the DeKalb Rotary Club. Projects include scholarships, support for food banks, and other community projects.

Donate to the DeKalb Rotary Club Charitable Impact Fund >

Destination DeKalb County Fund

This Fund supports statewide and/or regional youth competition events occurring in DeKalb County which promote youth involvement in sports, arts, and/or other extra-curricular activities.

Donate to the Destination DeKalb County Fund >

Elmwood Cemetery Historic Restoration Fund

The purpose of the Fund is to provide a depository for various contributions to support historic restoration and other public enhancements at Elmwood Cemetery in Sycamore, IL.

Donate to the Elmwood Cemetery Historic Restoration Fund >

Emergency Fund

This Fund was established in 1996 to meet needs of those devastated by the July 1996 floods. Now supports immediate relief efforts for local emergencies.

Donate to the Emergency Fund >

Friends of the Cortland Library Fund

Established in 2008, this Fund provides a depository into which contributions from the general public are made to conduct a campaign to fund the construction of a new Cortland Library.

Donate to the Friends of the Cortland Library Fund >

Gift of Grain Pass Through Fund

As a collaboration of the DeKalb County Community Foundation and the DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, the Gift of Grain Pass Through Fund is a depository for charitable giving from farmers and landowners. Donating a gift of grain is a simple way to make a lasting difference. The value of the grain can be used to support charitable causes in the community, support a specific nonprofit organization, or start an endowed Fund in the name of the donor. Learn more about the Gift of Grain Pass Through Fund >

Donate to the Gift of Grain Pass Through Fund >

Joe LoCascio and Mary Penson New Pennies Project Fund

Created in 2019, the purpose of this Fund is to restore and support DeKalb High School’s long standing, award winning, student-produced literary magazine New Pennies. Learn more about the Joe LoCascio and Mary Penson New Pennies Project Fund >

Donate to the Joe LoCascio and Mary Penson New Pennies Project Fund >

Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Charitable Impact Fund

This Fund supports charitable projects that are of interest to the Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club.

Donate to the Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Charitable Impact Fund >

Kiwanis Club of DeKalb Impact Fund

This Fund was created to support charitable projects of the Kiwanis International Foundation and other organizations as deemed appropriate.

Donate to the Kiwanis Club of DeKalb Impact Fund >

Kiwanis Club of Kishwaukee-DeKalb Charitable Impact Fund

This Fund supports charitable projects of Kiwanis International Foundation and other organizations as deemed appropriate.

Donate to the Kiwanis Club of Kishwaukee-DeKalb Charitable Impact Fund >

Meta Community Impact Fund

The purpose of the Fund shall be to provide a depository for public and/or corporate contributions to support charitable projects that are of interest to the donor.

Donate to the Meta Community Impact Fund >

Spinoso Masters Scholarship Fund

Created through the generosity of John and Vivian Spinoso, this Fund provides scholarship support for up to $10,000 to deserving students to cover tuition costs of post-undergraduate studies. Eligible applicants must have graduated from a DeKalb County high school but do not need to currently live in DeKalb County, IL. Learn more about the Spinoso Masters Scholarship Fund >

Donate to the Spinoso Masters Scholarship Fund >

Sycamore Fire Preservation Company, Ltd. Fund

In 2001, the City of Sycamore had the chance to purchase a 1923 Stutz pumper, originally used in the city. A Fund was started to accept gifts from the public for the restoration of this pumper.

Donate to the Sycamore Fire Preservation Company, Ltd. Fund >

Sycamore Grove - A Tribute to Veterans Fund

This Fund provides a depository for contributions to support the recognition of Veterans with trees and other memorials that would increase the awareness of their service, dedication, and ideals. Learn more about the Sycamore Grove - A Tribute to Veterans Fund >

Donate to the Sycamore Grove - A Tribute to Veterans Fund >

Sycamore Park District Action 20/20 Fund

This Fund was created to collect private contributions in support of the various community projects associated with the Sycamore Park District’s Vision 20/20 Plan. Learn more about the Sycamore Park District Action 20/20 Fund >

Donate to the Sycamore Park District Action 20/20 Fund >

Sycamore Rotary Club Charitable Impact Fund

This Fund provides a depository for public contributions to support charitable projects that are of interest to the Sycamore Rotary Club.

Donate to the Sycamore Rotary Club Charitable Impact Fund >

YEP Program Activities Fund

This Fund supports direct program costs and activities of the Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) program. This Fund does not provide resources for YEP's grantmaking; rather, for operational support and the YEP Changemakers Scholarship. YEP is free and open to all high school students in DeKalb County, IL. Through monthly meetings and volunteer outreach events, YEP builds leadership, communication, social, and analytical skills. Members are familiarized with nonprofits, build an understanding of philanthropy, and are introduced to grantmaking. Learn more about YEP >

Donate to the YEP Program Activities Fund >

Completed Pass Through Funds

Funds that have fulfilled their intent and purpose.

Axletree Fund
This Fund was created to support charitable community based projects that are consistent with the mission and services of Axletree.

A Campus Journey Fund
This Fund was started to assist in the campaign for this fund-raising effort, to secure support for NIU and area participation in the 2002 Appalachian Trail Walk.

Citizens for Inclusive Playgrounds Fund
This Fund provides a depository for various contributions to support the building and on-going maintenance of inclusive playgrounds within DeKalb County, IL.

Cortland Community Pass Through Fund
Established in 2006 by the Town Board, this Fund facilitates public contributions for various Cortland civic projects, primarily the town's fall festival and parade.

Curran Community Foundation Challenge
As a founding board member, Bill Curran has a special empathy for how important administrative dollars are to the day-to-day operation of the Community Foundation, and following the Board's decision in 2006 to begin as administrative Endowment Fund, Bill and his wife Pat offered a special challenge. This $50,000 program made dollar-for dollar matches to all new contributions to the Administrative Endowment, and was fully-paid out by mid-2007.

DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association Pass Through Fund
After years of envisioning an organization that would recognize, honor, and teach about the rich history and influence of agriculture in the DeKalb Area, this newly established organization created this Fund to collect contributions toward their start-up needs.

DeKalb County Adult Vocal Scholarship Fund
This "Just Make It Happen" Fund will be used to channel contributions and concert receipts towards assisting local vocalists in furthering their voice educations. This Fund was established in 2006.

DeKalb County Civil War Monument Fund
This unique Fund provides a depository for public contributions to support the renovation and upkeep of the DeKalb County Civil War Monument.

DeKalb County Courthouse Centennial Celebration Fund
This Fund was started to provide a depository from which public contributions were made to help with the 2004 public celebration of the 100th anniversary of the DeKalb County Courthouse.

DeKalb County Forest Preserve Land Acquisition
This Fund provides support for the acquisition and preservation of the DeKalb County Forest Preserve District’s natural resources.

DeKalb County Jazz Education Fund
This "Just Make It Happen" Fund will be used to channel contributions and concert receipts towards jazz education programs in county schools. This Fund was established in 2006.

DeKalb County Katrina Response Fund
Following the disastrous hurricane, DeKalb County responded in many ways. Established in 2005, this Fund helped with several efforts, including assisting NIU's Campus Crusade students traveling to several Gulf Coast sites, establishing health care consortiums coordinated through the American Refugee Committee in Louisiana, and assisting local evacuees with housing and other expenses, in partnership with the Kishwaukee United Way.

DeKalb County Keys Response Fund
Established in early 2008 by a new organization geared to Keep Encouraging Youth To Succeed (KEYS). The catalyst for this Fund was a survey of DeKalb and Sycamore middle school students following a grant to DeKalb Chamber of Commerce's 2007 Leadership Academy.

DeKalb County Open Space Fund
Established by "Neighbors for Open Space, Clean Air and Water," a citizens group supporting the county's Forest Preserve District to position itself to expand future land holdings, this Fund was depleted following completion of the tax referendum held in early 2006.

DeKalb County School Arts Series Fund
This "Just Make It Happen" Fund is established to accept contributions and event receipts to assist in expanding arts and cultural programs in county schools. This Fund was established in 2006.

DeKalb County School Concert Band Fund
This "Just Make It Happen" Fund will be used to channel contributions and concert receipts towards school bands in the county. This Fund was established in 2006.

Donations For Dee Pass Through Fund
This Fund was started in 2007 by friends of long-time DeKalb Municipal Band Director Dee Palmer, who would like to create a public memorial to honor Dee's outstanding community service. The Fund serves as a depository for public contributions enabling the committee to erect a statue or a bust in Hopkins Park, or to create an endowment Fund - the final disposition of funds contingent on the amount ultimately raised. It is hoped that the campaign will conclude sometime during early 2008.

Egyptian Theatre COVID-19 Relief Fund
In collaboration with the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund and the DeKalb County Community Foundation, donations into this Fund will assist the Egyptian Theatre with operating expenses as they face the impact of COVID-19.

Egyptian Theatre Operational Pass Through Fund
This is the first Fund generated from Just Make It Happen's series of concerts to benefit local non-profit organizations. Proceeds from successful concerts will be matched, up to $1,000 per event, by the Community Foundation during the 2005-2006 season, to further bolster his community effort. This Fund was established in 2006.

Farm Bureau/University Extension - DeKalb County Unit Pass Through Fund
Started in 2002, this Fund enables the Farm Bureau to provide annual assistance to the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service.

Howard and Mildred Eychaner Fund
This Fund provides support for capital projects of charitable organizations within the City of DeKalb.

Christopher E. Hansen Memorial Scholarship Fund
Following the sudden death of this young DeKalb High School student in 2001, this non- endowed Fund provides a modest scholarship to provide ongoing support to a student in the RESTART program at DeKalb High School.

Huskies On Parade In 2008
In 2008 this very successful effort concluded with public display of over 50 Huskie Dogs, commemorating the community's bond with Northern Illinois University and helping to add to NIU's February 14 Scholarship Fund.

Innovators Fund
This Fund provides recognition and encourage employees who exercise non-traditional thinking to solve problems in their respective companies and organizations.

Kirkland Community Bandshell Fund
This Fund enables the Kirkland Community to accept public contributions to assist in the construction of a band shell at the park. Working on the Fund's inception are the Kirkland Lions Club, the Franklin Township Park District and the Kirkland Fire Department. This Fund was established in 2005.

Kiwanis Club of Kishwaukee-DeKalb Charitable Impact Fund
This Fund supports charitable projects of Kiwanis International Foundation and other organizations as deemed appropriate.

Mr. Pumpkin Pass Through Fund
This Fund supports the writing of a biography about Wally Thurow, the creator of the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival.

Northern Illinois Endodontics Health Care Scholarship Fund
Established by this dental organization in early 2001, this pass-through Fund provides scholarship support for graduates of DeKalb and Sycamore High Schools.

Peter L. Johnson Tribute Fund
Pete Johnson, a name synonymous with education in Sycamore, has influenced thousands of young people through his teaching and coaching. This Fund started 2009 by a group of past students and athletes, honors Pete for his dedication and contributions by collecting dollars to erect a statue at Sycamore High School and potentially support scholarships for Sycamore graduates.

Ron and Nancy Proesel Fund
Created through the generosity of Ron and Nancy Proesel, this Fund supports various community needs.

St. John's Park Pass Through Fund
Established in 2005 by the Sycamore Park District and the Friends of St. John's following the fire which razed this local church, this Fund will accept contributions to create a park setting on the former church site.

Sycamore Community Center Pass Through Fund
Established during 2007 by the Sycamore City Council, this Fund supported the 150th anniversary celebration, facilitating public donations to assist in holding a host of community events.

Sycamore Enjoys Tennis Fund
This Fund was created to build tennis courts for the community of Sycamore.

Sycamore Sesquicentennial Fund
During 2008, this pass-through Fund supported the 150th anniversary celebration, facilitating public donations to assist in holding a host of community events.

Sycamore Train Depot Pass Through Fund

A Fund created to collect contributions for the renovation of the historic Train Depot near downtown Sycamore.

Wally Thurow Tribute Fund
This Fund was established in 2012 by the Wally Thurow Tribute Committee to collect public contributions to create and maintain a memorial tribute in honor of Wally Thurow, who created the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival.

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.

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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.

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