Essential Skills Incentive Grants

The DeKalb County Community Foundation is committed to workforce development in DeKalb County, IL, by supporting the enhancement of essential skills among youth. The goal of the Essential Skills initiative is to enhance soft skills education for DeKalb County middle school and high school students while working to improve employer participation in youth workforce preparation. Essential Skills Incentive Grants are designed to enhance the development of soft skills or essential skills in middle school to high school-aged youth.

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Applying for a Grant

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on December 1. Grants are available to recognized programs and/or educators (nonprofits and schools) working primarily with youth (grades 6 through 12) in DeKalb County, Illinois.

For more information, please refer to the grant application and guidelines or contact Community Engagement Director Teri Spartz at 815-748-5383 or t.spartz@dekalbccf.org.

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Nondiscrimination Policy - Grantmaking

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex and gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, physical or mental ability, pregnancy, veteran status, military obligations, marital or parental status, political affiliation, or any other improper criterion be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds made available by the Community Foundation, and any other program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds appropriated for grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance administered by the Community Foundation.

The DeKalb County Community Foundation's commitment and support to workforce development is made possible by 20 CommunityWorks Funds, generating over $100,000 annually. Thank you to the generous donors who support these Field of Interest Funds.

Learn more about CommunityWorks Funds >