DeKalb County Community Foundation (IL)

10/06/2026

YEP - Youth Engaged in Philanthropy - DeKalb County, IL is off to a strong start, with a new YEP Grant Application window as well! Check it out!

Thank you, DeKalb County Nonprofits, for all of your good work! Reminder: the new YEP Grant application window is October 15-December 15. Grant decisions and awards will still take place in April/May.

10/06/2026

Looking forward to this important upcoming DCNP training!

Strong financial controls don’t have to mean more staff or more red tape.

Join DCNP on October 27 for a practical workshop focused on simple, scalable safeguards for small and volunteer-led nonprofits.

📅 October 27 | 3–4:30 p.m.
💙 Free for DCNP members | $10 for non-members
🎤 Presenter: Dr. Rita Yerkes, Yerkes Consulting

09/21/2026

🙌 Nominate an outstanding DeKalb County educator! 🏆
Do you know a teacher, administrator, or staff member who goes above and beyond for students? Help us celebrate their impact by submitting a nomination for an Excellence in Education Award! Let's recognize the incredible educators who make a difference every day. Nominations are open through October 31, 2026.

Form and info at https://dekalbccf.org/give/philanthropy-at-work/excellence-in-education/

09/09/2026

Check out this exciting grant opportunity for Rural Vitality in DeKalb County!

Grants are intended to strengthen communities, enhance local assets, and revitalize downtowns. We are thrilled to partner with Compeer Financial and the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation - DCEDC on this exciting grant initiative!

Organizations across rural DeKalb County will have the opportunity to secure funding for projects that strengthen communities, enhance local assets, and revitalize downtowns through a grant initiative supported by Compeer Financial and administered by local partnership organizations.

The DeKalb County Rural Vitality Committee of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC), in collaboration with the DeKalb County Community Foundation (DCCF), will award funding provided by Compeer Financial to strengthen the economic vitality and livability of rural DeKalb County. Priority will be given to projects identified in community plans, those that leverage additional resources, and collaborative efforts.

Applicants must be a unit of local government or an organization working in partnership with a community with a population less than 10,000 residents. Organizations must be able to provide evidence of application support from the community. Eligible applicants must provide direct assistance, services, and/or benefits to rural DeKalb County, IL residents. Please visit the DCCF grant portal for application and guidelines.

Completed grant applications are due November 1, 2026, and decisions will be announced by early December 2026. The proposed project should have a target completion date of one year and a grant report will be required. Applicants may request up to $10,000. Awards may be made for the full or partial amount requested, with a maximum grant award of $10,000. Funding areas of interest include Community Development/Downtown Revitalization; Agriculture; Rural Education; Workforce Development; Entrepreneurship/Small Business Support; Leadership Development; Housing Expansion.

Contact DCCF grant staff at [email protected] or 815-748-5383 or DCEDC (815-895-2711) with questions, to discuss project ideas, and for help facilitating a successful application. To learn more and apply visit DeKalbCCF.org.

For more more information on the Rural Vitality Committee initiatives visit www.dcedc.org/rural-vitality/ or contact Andrea at DCEDC at [email protected].

09/09/2026

🎉 We’re hiring! Deadline to apply is Friday, Sept. 11.

The Community Foundation is looking for a full-time Grants Manager to join our team.

This rewarding role helps manage grant applications, processes, and distributions, supporting the Foundation’s work to strengthen our community and make a difference across DeKalb County.

Learn more about the position and apply at https://dekalbccf.org/connect/about-us/career-opportunities/

09/07/2026

🌟 Work hard, rest well! 🌟

Our staff are taking a break this Labor Day to rest and recharge. We celebrate all the hardworking people who make our community great.

We’re closed today, Monday, September 7, in observance of the holiday. Wishing you a safe and relaxing day!

09/05/2026

Celebrating a legacy that put over 200 million books into the hands of children worldwide.

Give your child the gift of reading:

📢🎉 Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is still available for DeKalb County families with children under age 5!

SIGN UP TODAY! https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/

Each month, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails a high quality, age-appropriate book to all registered children, addressed to them, at no cost to the child’s family.

Thank you to the Friends of the DeKalb Public Library, Altrusa International DeKalb County IL, and the DeKalb County Community Foundation (IL), for sponsoring this amazing program for our community!

09/03/2026

Nonprofit Day is just around the corner!

Join the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership (DCNP) on September 23 for a day of learning, networking, and inspiration. Nonprofit Day features a keynote speaker, breakout sessions, opportunities to connect with peers, and more.

👉 RSVP to attend at https://dcnp.org/event/nonprofit-day-6/

09/02/2026

📰 Did you hear the news?

The Community Foundation is looking for a full-time Grants Manager to join our team. This rewarding role helps manage grant applications, processes, and distributions, supporting the Foundation’s work to strengthen our community and make a difference across DeKalb County.

Interested in joining a team that connects people who care with causes that matter? Learn more about the position and apply today at https://dekalbccf.org/connect/about-us/career-opportunities/

08/31/2026

🗓 Deadline is tomorrow for Fall 2026 Grant Programs!

Nonprofit and public sector organizations are encouraged to apply for a Community Needs Grant or Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grant (Sept. 1 deadline).

• Community Needs Grants - Support the capital needs of local nonprofit and public sector organizations.
👉 Learn more or apply for a grant at https://dekalbccf.org/receive/grant-programs/community-needs-grants/

• Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grants - Support music education programs offered by nonprofits and public sector organization.
👉 Learn more or apply for a grant at https://dekalbccf.org/receive/grant-programs/wurlitzer-foundation-grants/