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Promise Grant - Subvencion de Promesa

Promise Grants support charitable community organizations that provide services to underserved and often dismissed populations in DeKalb County. The purpose of the Promise Grant program is to inspire, educate, and empower individuals who may experience extraordinary challenges due to their ethnicity, immigration status, and abilities.

Support for this grant program comes from two Funds at the DeKalb County Community Foundation. The Promise Fund-El Fondo de la Promesa and the Howard and Mildred Eychaner Fund.

Eloise and Jack Kaeck created The Promise Fund-El Fondo de la Promesa in 2001 to help people succeed and feel that they belong. Their vision was to inspire the community to provide hope and opportunity, to understand and experience the true needs of the underserved neighborhoods, and work to address them.

In 2021, the Promise Grant program received an extra boost in available dollars thanks to the Howard and Mildred Eychaner Fund, established years ago as a charitable remainder trust for the Foundation. The Eychaners grew up in the great depression and worked alongside many other poor people struggling to make ends meet. Over the years, they saw groups of dismissed people working extra hard to survive. Their vision was to help people who are making an effort to help themselves.

Promise Grants, DeKalb County Community Foundation

A 2020 Promise Grant to the DeKalb County Community Gardens was used to educate local youth about gardens using their senses.

Applying for a Grant

Applications for Promise Grants open on August 15 and have an October 1 deadline. Grant applications must be submitted online. Funding decisions are generally made within one month of the application deadline and applicants will be notified electronically or by phone.

All applicants should review the grant guidelines prior to applying and/or contact 815-748-5383 or grants@dekalbccf.org for assistance.

Grantmaking Priorities

Proposed projects will be reviewed on the basis of the following priorities:

  • Increase participation (empowerment) of underserved populations in the center of community life.
  • Develop leadership skills in marginalized populations.
  • Increase understanding and tolerance.
  • Raise educational levels and enhance the quality of life.
  • Strengthen organizations with the capacity to transform community perspectives.
  • Projects related to healthcare and affordable housing within DeKalb Township.

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.

Grants Awarded

Support for the Promise Grant - Subvencion de Promesa program comes from the Promise Fund-El Fondo de la Promesa and the Howard and Mildred Eychaner Fund. If providing services to underserved and often dismissed populations is an area of interest for you, consider giving a gift to one of these Funds. Your gift will allow for further impact to help these populations in DeKalb County.

Donate to the Promise Fund-El Fondo de la Promesa Fund >

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.