Impact Investing for DeKalb County
Welcome to impact investing, where investing isn't just about making money; it's about making a difference. This is a transformative idea where financial returns meet positive economic and social change, and every investment decision has the power to generate meaningful transformations in our local communities.
The Board of Directors of the Community Foundation has committed $500,000 to launch this program, underscoring the Foundation’s dedication to using charitable resources in sustainable ways that benefit our community.
Impact investing differs from a grant program, where dollars are awarded for a specific program or project. Instead, this program provides investment dollars or commitments, in the form of loans, loan guarantees or equity investments, which are repaid to the DeKalb County Community Foundation and then reinvested to support new projects throughout DeKalb County, IL.
"Impact investing positively impacts our communities while generating income for future reinvestment opportunities. It's about working together to create a brighter future for all!"
For financial or application questions, please contact Finance Director Scott Gulke at 815-748-5383 or s.gulke@dekalbccf.org. For project suitability, impact, and operational questions, please contact Executive Director Dan Templin at dan@dekalbccf.org.
Impact Investing will:
- Leverage a portion of investable assets to advance the Foundation's mission and create a positive impact—Invest locally to channel donor dollars directly into community-focused initiatives.
- Advance the Foundation's proactive commitment to focus on education, economy, environment, and equity.
- Scale the Foundation's impact in ways not possible with grantmaking alone—Create lasting change on a larger scale and make a difference that reverberates throughout our community.
- Build partnerships for impact—The Foundation can collaborate with various partners to amplify efforts and cultivate a more inclusive and effective environment.
Application Steps:
- Eligible applicants (nonprofit or for profit entities) review the project criteria & requirements and submit a proposal online.
- OR the Foundation identifies local projects focusing on education, boosting the economy, preserving the environment, or promoting equity.
- Proposals are carefully evaluated by Foundation staff to ensure they're viable and a good fit.
- If a project is approved, the applicant receives the needed funding.
- As they use that money to create positive change, they pay it back, ensuring a cycle of ongoing impact for everyone involved.
- The Foundation repeats the process with additional approved applications.
Due to our emphasis on creating positive social change, loans may carry below market rates and be eligible to organizations that, due to size or experience, may not be a good fit for traditional lending institutions.
The impact investing process.
Donor Opportunity: Support the Invest DeKalb County Fund
The Invest DeKalb County Fund turns generosity into a lasting impact. Rather than awarding traditional grants, this innovative Fund invests charitable dollars into local projects as an economic development gap financing tool —helping organizations grow, solve urgent problems, and strengthen our communities. As the investments are repaid, those dollars are reinvested again and again, multiplying your impact over time.
Join us in using philanthropy as a tool for sustainable community change!
