YEP Grants
Through YEP Grants, the Community Foundation supports organizations and projects that improve the quality of life for youth in DeKalb County, Illinois. Projects considered for funding must be dedicated to the community, directly involve youth, and promote youth empowerment and leadership.
Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) is a youth-led committee of the DeKalb County Community Foundation. YEP provides opportunities for high school youth to build leadership skills, learn about nonprofits in DeKalb County, and become life-long philanthropists. Each year, YEP's pinnacle is the April grant allocation meeting. During this meeting, members are responsible for discussing and recommending how to distribute $14,000+ to nonprofit and public sector organizations for youth-serving programs and projects in DeKalb County. Once recommendations are final, YEP presents them to the Community Foundation Board of Directors for final approval.
Applying for a Grant
All applicants should review the YEP Grant Guidelines and the 40 Developmental Assets™ before applying. Applicants must present their grant request ($2,500 max) to the YEP committee through a site visit and presentation. Nonprofit organizations with youth initiatives in DeKalb County are highly encouraged to apply. Applications for YEP Grants are due by 11:59 p.m. on February 1 and become available two months before the deadline.
For questions or more information, please contact YEP Staff Advisor Noah Nordbrock at 815-748-5383 or noah@dekalbccf.org.
Review the 2024 YEP Grant Guidelines >
Review the 40 Developmental Assets >
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.
Past YEP Grants Awarded
- 2023 YEP Grants - $14,725 in YEP Grants Benefit Youth Programs and Organizations in DeKalb County
- 2022 YEP Grants - $17,023 in YEP Grants Benefit Youth Programs and Organizations in DeKalb County
- 2021 YEP Grants - $13,591 in YEP Grants Benefit Youth Programs and Organizations in DeKalb County
- 2020 YEP Grants - $12,583 in YEP Grants Benefit Youth Programs and Organizations in DeKalb County
- 2019 YEP Grants - $14,005 in YEP Grants Benefit Youth Programs and Organizations in DeKalb County
- Additional grant distributions - YEP Grants
2023 - NIU STEAM receives a YEP Grant at the May meeting.
2023 - Barb Food Mart receives a YEP Grant at the May meeting.
Funding for YEP Grants is made possible through the DeKalb County Youth Grantmakers Fund at the Community Foundation. As this Fund continues to grow, so does the impact on youth in DeKalb County!
If you want to positively impact youth in our community, consider donating to the DeKalb County Youth Grantmakers Fund. For questions or additional information, please contact Executive Director Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.
